Pre-64 Winchester 94 in .30-30

Pre-WWII Ithaca 12 gauge 4E Knick single barrel trap gun

S&W Pre-27 .357 N frame

S&W Ptr-36 J frame .38 Spl.

Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 FWT

Please continue

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Is the 30-30 supposed to be a 54, 64, or 94?

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Good shooting.

OP corrected to 94
Thank you

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This may be at the high end for a "common collector," but:
H&K P7 M8

I'm a pretty common collector and the +$1200 I see for that gun puts it out of my reach. Same with the Sig 210 and Walther P88.

I would add the Walther P38 as it changed 9mms a bit (I got a P1 as I don't really like the wartime German stuff); obviously the Smith 39; and dare I say Glock 17 (although I'm taking a pass on collecting that).

1. S&W Model 66 no dash Combat Magnum
2. S&W Model 39
3. S&W Model 52

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

I agree on the model 52..by todays specs, it is a custom build.

Savage 99's. I know some calibers are extremely collectible, but even the common ones are pretty cool old rifles.

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Possum—The other white meat!

I think the Marlin 39a is a pretty iconic gun. Maybe it's cause I had one as a teenager, not sure.

P.08 Luger - The first practical and widely successful semi automatic military pistol - it's also an incredible piece of engineering and quality manufacture, and they run like sewing machines. Prices for a WWI era DWM P.08 in good to very good condition with all matching numbers and decent strawing are in the $800-$1200 range.

Model 94 Winchester - It does not have to be pre-64, it just has to be pre-rebounding hammer and pre-Angle Eject. They can be found in the $350-$400 range for a post-63 in very good to excellent condition, to $500-$600 for a pre-64 is good condition.

Walther PP - the worlds first Double action, decocker equipped pistol, beginning in 1929. The PPK dates from 1931 and is also iconic due to it's prominence in James Bond films. Pre-war Walthers are pricey, but the post war Manuhrin made examples are still around in excellent condition in the $600 range.

M1 Garand - It was not the first semi-auto battle rifle to be fielded, but it's the first one that got it all right, and it's arguably the most iconic battle rifle of WWII. Plan on spending $1000 or so for a decent Garand now.

Walther P.38 - It's almost as iconic as the P.08, and a bit more reliable. Prices run in the $500-$800 range for nice examples with all matching numbers.

Browning GP-35 / FN Hi Power - This was the first practical double stack, high capacity handgun in the world. It was a "wonder nine" (even if it was not DA) long before the "wonder nine" concept became popular. It's still a first rate self defense handgun. FN marked examples can run upwards of $1000, but the FEG made pre-Mk II clones can be had for around $300 in excellent to near mint condition.

FN FAL / L1A1 - Semi-auto L1A1s are very hard to find, but metric pattern FN FALs and inch pattern L1A1s built from parts kits on new production receivers are readily available at still reasonable prices. It was regarded as the "right arm of the free world" and is almost as iconic as the AK-47/AKM series. They are large and comparatively heavy rifles, but the ergonomics are superb and they feel and handle as if they were much shorter and lighter than they actually are (the exact opposite of a G3 / HK-91). Prices vary a lot based on who put them together, but you still find a clean military configuration FAL or L1A1 for around $800-$1000.

Colt SP1 AR-15- The original slick side M-16 styled civilian AR-15 is almost as iconic as the M16A1 and is still available at fairly reasonable prices. They are also great shooters and an SP1 (as well as an excellent condition M16A1 upper on a civilian lower) will normally provide 1.25 to 1.5 MOA accuracy at 100 yards. Like the FAL, these early AR-15 rifles handle exceptionally well. Prices will range from $1200 to $1500.

Armalite AR-180 - This was the semi-auto version of the AR-18, which was Eugene Stoner's effort to produce an assault rifle that could be assembled in third world counties using light stamping metal technology and a much lower level of machining than was required for the forge and machine tool intensive AR-15. Originals have been holding steady in the $1200-$1500 range depending on who made it. They are great fun to shoot and had a reputation back in the day as being the IRA's "widow maker". The newer AR-180B uses a composite receiver making it lighter, and it leaves off some amenities such as dust cover V-shaped charging handle and folding stock, but the latter two can be added as aftermarket parts. It's also great fun to shoot and given the short production run has already doubled it's original purchase price to around $800-$900.

Winchester 9422 - This was a concentrated effort by Winchester to demonstrate that it could still produce a very high quality firearm. It is without doubt the best made .22 lever action ever produced and they are quality carbines through and through. Balance and handling is superb and accuracy is very good for a iron sighted carbine. They are getting harder to find, but $700-$800 can still buy one in excellent condition.

Winchester Model 52 Sporter - The originals are in the $3-4K range, but Browning made a limited in of reissue Model 52B and Model 52C sporters in there 1980s. These are arguably the nicest production sporters .22 LR rifles made and while they are hard to find, they can still be found in the $800-$1000 range.

Replica firearms:

Colt 1911 / 1911A1 - originals are getting very pricey but there are many replicas available that convey the same iconic message and allow the shooter to have the same experience. It was THE American military handgun for 75 years and is still in limited service with the US military.

Colt Single Action Army - These are also out of the realm of common collectors for the most part, but are also available in very well made replica form where the shooter can experience what it was like to handle one of the first truly practical cartridge revolvers that was also an iconic firearm of the old west.

1874 Sharps Rifle - The hammer and styling give it iconic good looks and it got a great deal of exposure in Quigley Down Under which made it a very popular with modern shooters. It was one of the first, and arguably the most recognizable, of the early cartridge rifles.

1873 Winchester This was the rifle most often associated with the old west (although it was often portrayed in movies by the more available Model 1892). There are numerous modern replicas available and it has an exceptionally smooth action.

1892 Winchester - This is arguably the best handling and best balanced lever action carbine ever produced. A shorter version of the 1886 Winchester it is also very strong - stronger than the Model 94 - and has successfully made the transition to modern magnum pistol cartridges. They are great fun to shoot.

IMO any of the Performance Center guns from the 90s...... essentially hand built custom guns.....

Once the U.S. Military chooses a new service pistol, the early imported Beretta Model 92's may become more collectable. That's what I was thinking when I bought this 92F (1985-Made in Itlay) at auction about a year ago. 1985 was the year the US adopted the Beretta.

Attached Images

IMG_0557.JPG (160.6 KB, 47 views)

Winchester 94s are fun collectibles and most notably are the various 'Commemoratives' which depending on the style may not be much higher than a standard model but have some features not found on anything but a high priced original - such as an octagon barrel. I have two Commemoratives, a 1968 Buffalo Bill and a 1966 100 year Centennial. Not many of the commemorative gained value, got separated from boxes and paperwork loosing more value and are getting shot. Such is the case with my Buffalo Bill and the Centennial. I bought both having been shot and the BB is a great shooter and accurate. However because the Commemoratives were never intended to be shot fit and finish of the internals varies from gun to gun as most were never finish fitted. I got lucky with the BB but the Centennial's action is work in progress! Leaning against the tree is the Centennial next to an original 1899 'Klondike' Sporting Rifle - which for it's age is very tight and is glass smooth. And FWIW there are a a fair amount of the original 'Sporting Rifles' out there and depending on the condition can be had in the $800 - $1000 range. The early carbines are very desirable with far fewer available - especially pre 1930's with the saddle ring. And for those of you who MIGHT be familiar with Commemoratives see if you can find what is 'wrong' with the Centennial - which resulted in my getting it for a very good price!

OK, I want to go to NC and hang out with BB57 while he goes gun shopping. Could be he's in the back woods where gun prices haven't risen as much as they are here. Maybe I just need to get out more. Or he does!

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A .38 Military & Police or model 10. They are like potato chips, no one can have just one.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Help me out a little here, I'm a dumb Hill Billy. I understand the
Iconic part, what is a Watershed gun? In my neck of the woods
the classic models are still over priced, shooter grade guns at
collector prices. There are a few exceptions to this, in shotgun
department. The good old pumps and auto loaders in shooter
grades have actually fallen in price. New generation not interested in them. About the only guns not readily avaible are
true collectors pieces. Maybe I'm not understanding the post.

@Drm50 Watershed=landmark, milestone, turning point.

That said, love em or hate em. The butt ugly, dead bang reliable, works pretty darn well for a lot of folks, Glock 17 is both iconic, and a watershed in law enforcement weapons. And very available to every day people.

I HAVE GONE BLIND!!! The beast is too hideous to gaze upon. ^^^^^^^^^

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Iconic, watershed, or any order term you guys can come up with.
If I don't like it I don't want one!

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Colt 1849 Pocket/1851 Navy/1860 Army percussion revolver.
Signature series 3rd gens can still be had for a reasonable price, but they are climbing. There are also plenty of good repros (and some pretty bad ones) out there.

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Sorry bout the eyes. I blame the OP. He asked the question.

98 Mauser
Mosin Nagant
SKS
AKM
M4gery
1911
1917 Smith and/or Colt
M9
30 Carbine
1903 Springfield
Garand

These are a few that are available at a working man's price.

WWII Victory .38 four inch revolver.

I'd probably only buy 2 of all those listed previously,not to collect,but to enjoy shooting.

I'd buy a 66-1,not the no dash and a Model 39

Does collectible mean dust collector or can you enjoy shooting it?

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If the above lists are truly iconic/watershed, I feel pretty good right now . . .

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Part of what makes a gun collectable, is the reason it is collectable. For example, you can never own "The Gun" that was used to kill president Kennedy, but you can collect that model. It still won't cost you much. Then you can go on to collect others of the type that were used in other famous events. The gun that shot_____. Your list could be Presidents, Kings, Gangsters, or some bizarre category. Most murder weapons are very common, and often in poor condition, so the price is often on the lower end. The thing that drive the price up are Time and Distance. Even a cheap copy of John Wilkes Booth's pistol can be more that you want to spend (at least at this point in time). There are the "Guns of August" that started WWI! The list for collecting is endless. The List for investing is a whole different thing!

Ivan

Did I miss someone mentioning the 1873 Single Action Army? MG34, the first GPMG widely fielded.

Here a follow up question: I have heard the 20th century termed the Century of the AK. However, I suspect that Mauser action rifles supplied more militaries in the first half of the century than AKs did in the second half. And, or course, the Mauser was heavily involved in both world wars while the AK appeared in so many smaller wars (along with Mausers and mosins). Anyone ever come up with a count?

I agree
Except that butt ugly is being generous

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There is a fair amount of regional variation. Prices are not outrageous here in eastern NC. I suspect it's a combination of a low wage right to work state, with a lot of underpaid military enlisted in the area, a fair number of pawn shops looking for quick turnover, and a fairly good supply of guns floating around.

I transferred to northern VA from South Dakota, and in SD it was pretty much the same story, just fewer underpaid enlisted personnel. In northern VA however, prices were higher, as were the rent, utilities, groceries, gas, etc, etc, etc.

I recall reading in one of the gun rags in the 1970s or 80s that indicated that about 1/4 of all bolt action rifles built until that time were based on the Mauser 98 acton.

In addition to the various military Mauser 98 variants made by numerous countries, the commercial Mauser branded rifles based on the '98 and legions of sporterized military Mauser 98 and custom Mausers built on '98 actions, these rifles also include:
early Mauser based Weatherby rifles,
Ruger M77,
Interarms Mk X,
Sako,
FN,
Husqvarna, and
Griffin and Howe Mauser 98 rifles.
(And I'm no doubt forgetting several others.)

The Mk X was also available in a barred action variant and it was a starting point for numerous custom Mauser 98s. Zastava made the Mk X and it is still in production as the Zastava M70. In between the Mk X and M70, it was also sold as the Remington 798 and the Charles Daly Mauser. It's one of the more prolific and longest produced commercial Mauser 98 variants with 46 years of continuous production.

The list of "Mauser 98" based rifles also includes the 1903 Springfield and the pre-64 Winchester, as both are variants of the original '98 Mauser. The 1903 was so close that the US government had to pay royalties to Mauser.

That creates a bit of a paradox however, as it is at the same time both iconic, but also so wide spread in so many variations that it is hard to nail down just one representative Mauser 98 example.

I find the early (pre-WWII) American CF semiautomatics to be very interesting, especially mechanically. - the Remington 8/81, the Winchester 1905/07/10 (especially the M1910), and the Standard Arms Models M and G. The latter are quite scarce, but they do show up.

I think 22 pump rifles are as iconic as anything produced since the 1800’s. I have been finding these little pumps fun to collect. I picked up all four of these over the last year and I have less than $850 invested in all of them. All of them are shooters.
Top to Bottom:
Winchester 1906 from 1911.
Remington 12A from 1917
Remington 12 from 1914
Marlin 20 from 1907

Attached Images

Mar 20 Rem 12 + 12A Win 1906.jpg (74.8 KB, 28 views)

I have a S&W M14-2 since over thirty years and it is one of my most accurate centerfire handguns. Six inch barreled revolvers in .38 Special are still a bargain.

I would consider the Colt Detective Special to be an iconic handgun, and there were enough made that you can run into one without applying for a home equity loan.

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Because of the metric system?

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet is the Makarov and its' brethren from Poland, Hungary, etc.

From a functional level, these are just rugged semiautomatic pistols in a caliber a little larger than .380; but from a collectable point of view these are the handguns from behind the Iron Curtain. People who weren't around for the Cold War may not grasp the significance, but anyone old enough to remember terms like KGB or Stasi appreciate these guns.

Also the Makarov ammunition is fairly easy to find. Sportsman's Warehouse carries it it. People I know who have them say they are a great CCW.

Most ALL quality lever guns..............

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no one has mentioned the little Browning .22 auto AKA Rem model 24's, the Ithaca 37 pump, the Rem models 870 or the equally fine 1100, the Brwn.A-5, the Win model 12's, Win 1886 in medium bore & .45 caliber cartridges... & the Win 1873's & 1894's & model 64's (love that pistol grip stock & longer barrel)...the 1911A1, the Colt Woodsman, High Standard .22 auto pistols, The Python, the S&W model 27/28... S&W's fine little model 29 in 4" for easy off duty carry/duty carry... the S&W Chiefs/model 60... Colt Cobra/Agent/DS... S&W 686 4", Win model 70's .. any good Garand, M1 carbine, Browning High powers, Walther PP or PPK.... gosh if I had unlimited funds.... the list could go on & on.....

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1.Registered Magnum
2.Triple Lock
3.Colt SAA
4.Colt Python
5.Pre 29
6.Pre 27
7.Colt 1911 National Match [not Gold Cup]
8.Winchester Model 70 [any caliber you wish]
9.Winchester Model 94 [any caliber you wish]
10. Any J Frame in any caliber [none after 1980]
Today I am a happy old man!!!

I am happy for you that you consider numbers 1-6 above available to the common collector.

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Please tell me where you are finding decent numbers matching Lugers of any kind for $800, heck for $1000.

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First, thanks for being happy for me. Second, in the South, being called "common" is not a good thing.