Age vs condition?

[Bullet99]

Gentlemen,

I guess this is one of the age old questions and can fit in any gun age group here. . First of all, I started my little "collection" because I enjoy doing it but also as an "investment" for my son after I'm gone.

Like everyone else, I really don't want to make bad decisions.

When you gentlemen look at a gun, would you purchase an 80% older "rarer" gun or a newer 98% newer gun?

Just curious.

Thank you as always.

 

[quinn]

I'd go for the older, rarer gun is lesser condition. But that is me. I like old guns for their history and the stories they evoke.

 

[Truckman]

I would, and do, go for both...Not always possible simultaneously though......Ben

 

[Grayfox]

For me it depends entirely on the gun. The real question is "Do I want this in my collection?"

These days guns aren't a good investment. it takes a long time to realize any worthwhile return. I do own a few guns that are now worth 3-4 times what I paid for them. But that was 20-30 years ago when they were considerably cheaper. The older, rarer guns have already pretty much reached their peak. They're expensive now and probably won't gain much for a very long time.
Buy what you like and don't concern yourself with what it'll be worth somewhere down the road.

 

[JH1951]

FWIW - Assuming that you are buying 'collector' pieces, and not 'shooters', I would first set my sights on 'what' it is that I want. Then I would pursue the best condition example available of that specific item. For most of what we discuss around here, condition is king, and in the long run you will gain several things. One being pride of ownership, and another being appreciation in value to a degree that exceeds those of lesser condition. Simply put, buy the best that you can afford and be happier in the long-run. So, you asked "Age vs condition?" I suggest "age and condition" being long-term magic (if there is any magic at all).

 

[Mbrgr1]

Personally

I would collect what you like, your son may not care for the same thing or for guns at all.

He may however see your passion for certain models or eras and show more interest.



P.S. Beware of advice from old guys with no kids!

 

[Jack Flash]

Obviously you are talking about collectability and potential appreciation as an investment. Some people here can predict that way better than I can.

It can lead to some interesting flights of fancy for us mere mortals, however. Suppose I drift into my local gun shop and am presented with a smoking deal on both an 80% Triple Lock made in 1914 and a 1960s 98% 44 Magnum.

Suppose furthur that I can only buy one, due to either financial constraints or that I have already exceeded my crack on the noggin with a rolling pin limit for the month.

What a dilemma! You just have to weigh which one appeals to you the most and possibly which one you are least likely to ever get an opportunity to buy again. For me, speculations about the S&W futures market would not enter into it.

 

[22hipower]

All good advice by previous posters but if you aren't excited about a specific area; early 44 Magnums, RMs, whatever you probably should use comparable criteria as used in real estate. With that there are three priorities; location, location, location. With collectible guns it is condition, condition, condition.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[weatherby]

I keep it simple.
I buy guns that I "know" are underpriced to start.

 

[peterdeb]

Buying a piece as a future investment for your child and not what you want in your collection is a mistake IMHO. To many kids today don't appreciate their parents collections, of anything, and often end up in a pawn shop. Buy what you like, chances are your kids will sell it off to fund a purchase of what they want.

 

[H Richard]

In general, Condition, Condition, Condition are the 3 most important things in gun collecting. But as said above, know what you are interested in and your collection is dedicated to. Now, if you are like me, and are an "accumulator" rather than a true "Collector", you may want to buy a few odd ones that strike your fancy and are scarce and may some day be worth more than you gave for it. I can say I bought many common S&W's over the years, and since I have been selling off I haven't lost money on but a very few. Top breaks have had a down turn, and while I didn't lose money I didn't come out near as much ahead as I did with Hand Ejectors.

The most important thing is that you enjoy those that you do buy.

 

[lihpster]

First of all, guns aren't a good investment strategy. For the length of time for them to appreciate enough to matter, a traditional investment strategy will usually outperform firearms. That said, the way to make money is when you buy, just like old cars. Do your research, establish a value and buy for less when you can. When you can't, then you have to decide if it's an investment or just something you want to have. I have NIB unfired guns that if I sold now I'd lose money. But I wanted to have them. I say, buy the guns YOU want. They'll still be worth some money. But if you want to provide money for your son after you're gone, talk to a financial planner about a more traditional investment strategy. In any case, enjoy your collection! I hope yours gives you as much joy as mine does for me.

 

[Doc44]

Original, high condition is the best indicator of value in most cases (not all, but most).

Bill

 

[Hondo44]

One main other problem to consider is liquidating your collection. It's not like investments where you put in a sell order. It takes a lot of time and knowledge. If your son turns it over to an auction, you've lost any and all gain, and probably then some!

 

[rct269]

There was a time when many/most manufacturers felt they would be successful if they built the best product for the price--------and they proceeded accordingly. Their products will prove to be best collectibles-------providing as always, CONDITION, CONDITION, & CONDITION!!!

As time passes, and things change, some of those manufacturers who were building the best product for the price decided they could do better if they built their products at the lowest possible cost. Those products will never be collectibles, except possibly as examples of what not to do.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I recommend buying what you like.
And like already posted, Condition is the factor which drives value in collectibles.
Some guns are so 'rare' that not many folks want them.
It was down at Alamogordo. Young guy says I want to trade this Winchester Rifle for a handgun or two.
It was a Bolt Action 30-06 which clearly said Winchester.
Didn't look like any We ever saw. Showed it to some Win Guys, no help.
Finally somebody finds it in a look up book.
We ask him , where did you buy this? Rod and Gun Club in Germany.
It was a Winchester made by Howa. Book said worth good money.
We didn't want it. None of the Winchester guys jumped at it.
Rare? Only one I ever saw. Or even heard of.

 

[Bullet99]

I thank everyone for your replies. A very smart collector asked me a question when I asked him recently.

"Would you be proud to display it?"

I'm focussing now on early magnums. I've collected early Pre 27,28, 29s a first year 57 and a very early 48. These are all in excellent condition. Several look to be unfired. I have others as well. Just not in pristene condition.

Collecting is expensive, addictive and enjoyable!

Thanks all!

 

[RKmesa]

I would be with the "buy as nice a condition as you can afford" crowd, with a few shooter grade guns sprinkled in here and there so that you can enjoy shooting the heck out of them. BUT also buy what you like!!!

Collector Grade (1955 6.5" Pre-27):



Shooter Grade (1965 6.5" 27-2) - It was shot a ton before I owned it and has had pounds of lead run through the barrel since I purchased it (it's also had a Nelson Ford action job so the trigger pull is smooth as hot butter) :



... and yes, I'd be proud to display both of the above guns.

 

[kbm6893]

A brand new Model 67 will never be as valuable or desirable as a 40 year old one. A pinned and recessed Model 19 will always be more desirable than a brand new one. I don't ever see any plastic guns being considered collectible. I value my M1 Garand more than I do my M&P 15. A look at gunbroker supports that.

I'd rather have a used but not abused K-38 than a brand new Model 67. My own older wheel guns are more valuable to me than a new poly gun. Matter of fact, the only real value to a modern poly gun is in the event of some ban that instantly makes them more valuable.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'm with RKmesa- buy what you like and enjoy, and what you can afford. I started out with a few shooter grade vintage S&W magnum revolvers, and slowly graduated to buying nicer condition models. If you can afford to collect minty firearms, that's great! They should appreciate in value over time. However, as others have said, don't expect your family to have the same interests or passions as you do. I have two sons that are "gun guys", but they aren't necessarily vintage S&W gun guys. Someday in the future, while I'm still lucid, I plan to give them the opportunity to each take their pick of a couple of my revolvers. I would like to think that they'll keep them as family heirlooms, but who really knows? My wife and sons will mostly likely sell off the rest of the collection after I pass (I keep an up-to-date inventory with histories, prices I paid, and current firearm values- so they don't get screwed by some unscrupulous types!). After all, we are just temporary caretakers of these little pieces of history.