When I was stationed in Germany in the '90's, I was not aware of the Beanie Baby craze until I witnessed grown men (soldiers) fighting over little stuffed animals at the post thrift shop. For the life of me, I could not figure out what the draw to these things was.
I think the difference between a Beanie Baby, Cabbage Patch Doll, or any other artifially created shortage of a normally worthless item at Christmas so everyone has to do stupid things to get one, and a piece of fine china, crystal, or a mostly made by hand revolver is immense.
I think that an item that is worthless to begin with, and suddenly becomes coveted, usually because of mass media inundation, is what is defined as a fad. An item that has intrinsic value because of its workmanship will have timeless value and its draw will not totally fade away before the next holiday season to be replaced by some other item. Some things are fad, some things are classic.
I also believe by its very nature, anything that is bought as an investment will have some risk involved. If I didn't enjoy my revolvers, and I didn't shoot them, I would have probably never bought them. I know I'm not going to put them in a safe for 20 years and wait to see if I get rich from them. In fact, I might sell them all off here one of these days soon and buy me a Harley Davidson. Now there's an investment!

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Pat Henson

Well I have been collecting smiths for years. I'm 36 and I had a fond appreciation for things of quality. Smiths seemed like a natural choice. I read about 38\44s and I had to have one. I found one at a show for $160 and I still own it for this day. I knew I was on to something so I started buying smiths when they could be had cheap. I started buying target 22s and unertl scopes. I have several friends who are my age the collect some of the same things that I do. I am also into class 3,but in my opinion smiths are a far better investment.

I may not be in the age bracket of some of the guys here but I have been into smiths for about half my life. I get a kick out of owning guns that have suddenly became the new thing. I wouldn't by a new scope and like one of the posters said they may be worth half of what you paid. I would however buy a unertl and be content with it,and they do hold their value and have for years.

I will continue to buy and trade for the things that I always
have.

While VERY new to this forum, I think there comes a time in a firearm enthusiasts life where they start to turn from quantity and the latest "greatest" thing to looking for and shooting quality pieces of the firearm manufacturers art even if they are not going to be packing inside a holster everyday.

And barring some new, short production run, unusual pieces, those firearms are NOT going to be the plastic and MIMmed guns of today. Do the quality one's work? Sure they do but where is the pride of ownership? The graceful flowing lines? The depth of a blued finish that went on over hand polished steel? There is no history, no awe that someone, using the skills learned by years of work, could fit something that fits "just so."

I don't have many S&W revolvers, just a couple and I've been collecting USGI firearms and Colts [mostly 1911s] and GI type [like old M1As] firearms but except for a few purchases [like the Carbonia blued WW1 reissue], most are older and used because they represent more then sticking a chunk of metal into a computer controlled machine or pouring plastic into a mold.

I think, like most things people collect, S&W revolvers will ebb and rise price wise as people age and realize that there is a whole world out there past cookie cutter stamped modern guns.

I will add that if they can be shot cheaply, unless they are low manufactured models in larger calibers, you'll see prices hold OK, the one thing that is affecting and will affect the gun market in the future is the cost of ammo. I doubt I'm the only person to see how many companies are throwing out .22 rimfire caliber in everything from drop in kits to semi's and revolvers right now. If you want to shoot and not break the bank and you just don't have the time, patience, or place to reload, .22s are the way to go as long as ammo is priced the way it is.

[And even I get tired of rooting around for fired brass on occasion, there is something to be said about dumping your used brass into a coffee can instead of crawling around on your hands and knees]

deleted now

i'm only 37. just DROS'd a 1949 marlin 336 SC yesterday. while my gun buddies werent too impressed with my cut down triple lock, they (all under 40) lit up when i pulled out my 3.5 inch pre 27 after i got it. "that gun is sexy" was a common comment. i'm not that into plastic guns but a good SIG is never too far from me when i'm in the house. my bad habit is colt 1911's

i am concerned about the price inflation of guns but i think that may be a result of other inflation as well. if one hunts around long and hard enough you can find deals.

lastly. i have been lucky enough to inherit some old guns from men in my family. including my double great grandpas 1887 vintage parker double and a 19- teens era win 94 from another uncle and some other guns will come to me that my dad still has that belonged to his dad. these will never leave the family and i feel a strong connection to them as guns and watches (and jewelry for women) are items of value but also everyday items that our ancestors held and used and wore and at least in my family a great reverence is held for those that came before us and these are the only things that i can directly use that connects me to them.

At 69 I have son's who enjoy shooting but seem to have little interest in revolvers. In the early 70's model T Ford's were a hot item going for thousands of dollars, purchased by men who learned to drive in a model T. Thay had the money to spend and spend thay did. Most are gone now and now model T's are not in demand so yes I can seen the value of revolvers going down in a few years.

The difference between old Smiths and Beanie Babies is that they can always start churning out identical Beanie Babies anytime they want. Nobody will be making five screw Smiths anymore.

I wouldn't write off the younger generation completely. My 20 year old wanted a Detective Special for Christmas last year, and shoots his 586 regularly.

I think the current prices for older Smiths may level off, but won't go down. When you can buy a classic for considerably less than what the lesser-quality modern equivalent costs, the price for the older gun has no place to go but up.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

This has been an interesting discussion. We have positions that are well defended on both sides of the question as to the future value of our collectibles.

However, I think that we have all viewed this argument through the prism of our own experiences, our families, and our circle of acquaintances. What is missing, and is probably the most important element in this discussion, is the changing demographic of our entire society. By far, the largest segment of society in the near future will have NO historical perspective of the things that we hold dear.

Unfortunately, that lack of perspective isn't limited just to our collectibles.

Bob

I'd like to add my two cents' worth here.

Will the value of fine S&W revolvers go up? In my opinion, you bet your bippy. Historically, finely made things (any thing) go up in value once they are no longer made. Go over to public TV sometime and watch "Antiques Roadshow." People are constantly bringing in old pottery and furniture, for gosh sake, that's now being appraised in the thousands, sometime 10s of thousands of dollars. Why? These things were beautifully crafted, and no one does that any more. There is a finite number of them, and there are many collectors who would give their right gonad to own one or more of them.

Let's talk about collecting Remington Nylon rifles for a minute. 10 years ago you could find any of the 20 or so varieties for peanuts. They had plastic stocks - who would want one? Those of you who follow such things are astounded to find that some of them now sell, when they can be found, for thousands of dollars. I have a few in my collection of them that are almost unobtainable now, and in very high demand. It seems that the baby boomers grew up with them, and nostalgia being what it is, they want them again, but they are no longer being made. A finite number are out there, and more and more people want them. The values escalate because of that.

Another example. The government, in all its august wisdom, passed a law in the dead of night with a voice vote that no more fully automatic weapons can be made in this country for sale to the general public. Thompson submachine guns that used to be had for under a thousand, now sell for many multiple thousands. Why? A finite number are out there, and more and more people want them.

U.S. military weapons have also escalated in value. One of the posters here cited the Johnson Model of 1941 semiauto. I bought one back in the '70s for a few hundred dollars. The last one I saw had a price tag of over five thousand dollars. Why? Same reason as in my last paragraph.

Look at Colt Single Actions. Beat up old rusted specimens from the 1800s and early 1900s now have astronomical prices. Finite supply and heavy demand.

Smith revolvers will never again be made in the old fine-craftsmanship manner. My friends, there is a finite supply of them, and more and more people are beginning to appreciate them. Supply is finite, and demand is increasing. We've all seen it in just the last few years. As soon as a new Catalog of Smith & Wesson comes out, the values listed are obsolete; way too low for today's market.

Look, the government is now running out of money; input does not equal output, and their only solution will be to turn on the printing presses, making more "money." Inflation will almost certainly be the result. The dollar will be worth less, and it will take more dollars to buy almost anything of value. What will have value?

Mark my words. Gold and guns. I think we'd all be smart to invest in both.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John,

I certainly agree with you...in the micro sense. But in the macro, I can only quote Seinfield: "Have you been down to the License Bureau lately".

Bob

I sure won't be around long enough to see it, but with things goin' the way they are, the day could come when food is the only thing of value. I love guns as much as anyone, but I ain't found a way to eat them or gold.

Yeah, I know you can hunt, but that ain't a finite thing either unless you're a cannibal and a durn tough one at that..

John

I agree with you only in a minor way. You picked out specific isolated examples on A. R. and certain guns and that may hold true. However; with run-of-the-mill say Smith 19s, 25s, 27s, 29s and revolvers in general, across the board prices are going to soften and eventually top out when money supply, interest and demand wane. In my years (77) I have never seen a straightline upward inflation of any given used product. Go on Zillow website and check out how much your house is worth today. If it can happen to real estate, it can happen to any used product.

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Dick

This is a neat old thread that I remember from 2 1/2 years ago.

Interesting topic and interesting posters.

Bumping it for discussion sake. ( And a little nostalgia too.)

Good Luck ,

Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Great bump Allen Frame,Boy what 3 Years will do! I see People saying that the prices now are crazy and will soon bottom out,I just don't see it.

That's an interesting old thread. Just goes to show that nobody has a crystal ball.

I have the Rock Island Gun Auction Company just a few click's across the river. They auction lots of guns that are many generations removed from the original owners. They seem to sell well. Don't think interest diminishes in them just because nobody around today was around when they were made.

Condition is everything on these 100+ year guns. Maybe some of these safe queens today will be able to buy a new car 100+ years in the future . Heck,, maybe the cars WILL be flying by then.

Just wait until after the primaries; the panic hasn't even started.

The best thing about buying the best of the old S&W revolvers is that if they are ever worth zero, I won't care. I'll still have a pile of objects that I personally derive a great deal of pleasure from.

I do think that old Smiths haven't peaked yet, by a long shot. Any gun that costs a lot less then it would cost to produce today is going to be a valuable thing. Any true gun lover will eventually come to understand the joy that is the fine old revolver, and that will lead them to S&W revolvers. The ever present M&P will show these younger folks what a truly great gun actually is, and whet their appetite for more.

One of the grand things about S&W collecting is that it's accessible. They made so many great guns that you find them everywhere in the country. That kind of access can grow a collector.

As much as I would like a Colt SAA collection, there's just no way I could get into that game. S&Ws though? Oh yeah, you can be in that a little or a lot, or anywhere in between.

The amazing resource that the Standard Catalog is, the extremely nice and knowledgeable people on this forum, and the fine and affordable nature of the guns themselves I think will combine with the ever increasing number of gun lovers in this country.

If I am ever scrambling to keep alive, I'm sure most others in my area will be too. And some of them are, shall we say, "ethically challenged".

And if they are not now, a few years of scrambling to keep alive could push any of us in that direction.

So which would you want close at hand if things get scary in the wee dark hours: a devalued but perfectly functional older revolver or a box full of beanie babies?

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You're shy a few manners.

I will point out that a possibility exists that, under any of several possible scenarios, the future ownership of guns in the USA could be banned or severely limited. Yes, it can happen here - as it has happened in Australia, Great Britain, and many other places. That possibility alone mitigates against considering guns as viable long-term investments. And it is foolish to believe that the Second Amendment will prevent that. Some future ultra-left Supreme Court could wipe out the Second Amendment overnight through an adverse interpretation.

Barring DWalt's worst-case scenario, the inflation challenging value of all good quality firearms is likely to continue. In a time of rapidly devaluation of currency, anything with intrinsic value may be expected to do this. I just want to make sure I've invested sufficient in guns (and ammo!) to protect myself and my family as well as my stored food and valued possessions. Am I a prepare-crazy? I think not, but as a Boy Scout I was taught to "Be Prepared." I don't think any collectible, including guns, should be one's only investment, but owning quality firearms makes a lot of sense as part of a balanced scheme!

Froggie

PS And shooting guns can be a lot more fun than clipping coupons or counting Kruegerrands!

I've really enjoyed the re-emergence of this thread. Most of the points made then are certainly still valid now. About the only things that have changed are the higher prices for classic and collectible guns.

The OP wrote that he feared that the collecting "craze" for classic guns could suffer a dramatic price drop such as what happened to Beanie Babies and other collectibles. I doubt this will ever happen to guns. Guns have intrinsic value. They were designed and manufactured to do a job. They were made from expensive raw materials. Their functions are ingenious. And to many eyes (such as ours) they hold a great deal of aesthetic appeal. And there are only a finite number available to collect especially in superior condition. This is the type of item that tends to gain and hold in value. It is also the type of item that can emerge from the mundane realm of collectible and enter the world of investments as so many models already have. Yes, there will be ups and downs in prices but the general trend will likely be up.

What about Beanie Babies and commemorative whiskey bottles? Uhhh, when's the last time you got excited about finding one of those?

All investments have a certain amount of risk. The real estate crash of '08 and the many stock market fluctuations are just a few examples of the so-called "safe" investments that have shown that they too, can be devalued.

I don't collect guns as an investment. I collect them because I like them. As the dollar becomes ever more degraded, a savings account or squirreling money away under your mattress makes less and less sense.

I have a modest collection of objects (guns) that have kept up with inflation. An added plus is that I can take them out from time to time and shoot them.

I like a wide variety of guns from Smith and Wesson revolvers to AK47's. I have had a strong interest in US military firearms for many years and have a series of guns going back through the Civil War. If the bottom drops out of the market tomorrow it will make no difference to me as I have already spent the money I have in them and I don't need it to live on.

My son likes guns too and is fairly knowledgeable about them, so when I die he should appreciate what he inherits. I will never have enough disposable income to afford a registered magnum, but I do have a Model 27 which is close enough for me.

In the mean while, I LIKE the fact that so many newer shooters are into plastic pistols and poodle shooters. That way there is less competition for the earlier S&W's that show up from time to time around here.

Your post from 11/14/2011 brought back some great old memories. Decades ago my high school biology teacher got me interested in handguns. He taught me proper techniques with his Colt Trooper and High Standard Citation. Anyway here's what he often said.

"When our government fails and our money becomes worthless about the only thing we will have of true value are our guns, and the more of those you have the better off you and your family will be."

He always felt that a gun and some ammo could buy a lot of food. Yes, maybe a bit apocalyptic but I've never forgotten those words.

Two words, Colt Paterson.

How many rusted away to nothing or were used as a hammer when something better came along?

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Back to back World War Champs.

Most of the commentators here sound level headed.

Gun bans are a possibility. Even if you will still be able to own them, selling them may be prohibited. So the investment value is nil.

Or older guys will eventually sell off their holdings (or their heirs will) and the market will become saturated so older revolvers could again prove to be a poor investment.

I buy guns because I have always enjoyed the hobby and the sport of it. If I merely wanted an investment, I would look elsewhere.

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You're shy a few manners.

Things of value will always hold their value. There will always be a market for quality things.
I have them for their aesthetic value, but have rarely lost money on guns I have (unfortunately) sold.

Beanie babies, revolvers, Leicas and tulips are all subjects of false economies. Perceived scarcity of supply when no such scarcity truly exists. Enjoy them, fondle them but realize their economic value may be fleeting. The rare, unfired, new in the box of course is truly a rare item and will retain its value. (I'm looking for a nice 66 snub by the way)

Condition, Condition, and Condition.

Yes, I think, over time, as the now grey-haired crowd fades away, and the next generation, as it greys, but shows little or no interest in antique firearms, well, these antique firearms could lose value. Still, once again, very few folks at gun shows these days without grey hair, and, when they are at these shows, they are looking at modern plastic junk. Now, as others have pointed out, it might just be that they are not looking at high quality antique stuff with condition simply because of the high cost associated with this stuff. I mean, someone who is 30 yrs old, at the low end of the pay scale within his organisation, with a new mortgage and a few young children has far less money to toss around than someone at peak earning capacity with a few years left until retirement, and a mortgage that is paid off and no kids at home.

However, to compare antique firearms, Smith & Wesson, or otherwise, to beanie babies is indeed, a poor comparison. Beanie Babies were, at the time, new objects that serve no purpose other than to be an item of aesthetic value, and were manufactured to be, even when new, 'collectible'. They were not a tool, which a firearm is, they did not come from a finite supply, and they did not ever really suffer from condition issues, because they were new and never were used for anything. To call these collectible is simply clever advertising on the part of the manufacturer. Sure to plummet in value, and the only one who ever really ends up ahead on this deal, other than a few individuals who bought and sold really fast and were not left holding the cards, was the manufacturer.

Lastly, back on the topic of youth disinterested in antique firearms. Yes, there are some youth who are interested in firearms, but more and more are not. And, those of you who are of the over-50 crowd, what did you expect??? I mean, perhaps those of you on this forum, as stewards of antique firearms are not specifically to blame, but your contemporaries are. I mean, what do you expect if you build, develop, and urbanise the landscape--tear down historical old farms in the name of progress. I mean, development is good, isn't it? Let's plough under a 100 acre farm, build a Wal-Mart, subdivide, build cookie-cutter houses on postage stamp size lots where you can't even fart without your neighbour knowing, let alone shoot a gun. If despite this, you still want to shoot a gun, then you can join your local gun club. Not the best of options, as you cannot shoot whenever you want to, what you want to, etc.

But, however, amazing in itself that you even do show an interest in firearms--enough such that you do join your local gun club. I mean, it is likely that your classmates in high school and college never really handled a gun. They are evil, aren't they. If your classmates didn't drill this in your head, your left wing teachers surely did. Is it any surprise that the liberal arts are indeed called that? Surely, it is because your liberal instructors can get a chance to brainwash you in college, if they did not already do so in high school.

Then, if you made it through all that, and get your house in an urban or suburban setting, like most of us are forced to do, because that is where the jobs are, and you get home at the end of the day and kick back with a beer and the remote control in your hand, you can again be reminded of the evils of firearms in this country on one station after another, for the media is a left wing form of propaganda.

Yes, if YOU as the under 50-something crowd make it through all that, and still wish to own a firearm, I salute you!

Just something to think about. Now I will get off my soapbox.

A very interesting discussion going on here.

I'm new around here so I probably seem out of place to comment on a thread like this out of nowhere, but I'm under 30(25) and so far have never owned a semi-auto of any type(yet). I've only started shooting about a little more than a year ago, and before then I wasn't interested at all in guns. I suppose there's something wrong with me, because I seem to prefer buying older hand ejectors. Not much of a fan of stainless or nickel(always seem to find the ones with the flaked off finish), but if its blued and shiny, ill spot it first. I can look at a table full of semi-autos and ignore anything with plastic and single out that old H&R top-break sitting off in the corner. Right now my oldest gun is a Brazilian contract S&W 1937. My youngest in my model 10-10 which is almost the same age as me, and I can tell you that I am more interested in shooting and enjoying them than their collector value. Being new to collecting(cant believe I'm typing that), I have somewhat been dismayed at the prices on anything s&w or colt regardless of the condition, but I figured that's just how things are going to be for something that's high quality and isn't made anymore that everyone seems to want. But it does damper any thoughts of me ever getting to own anything nicer than what I currently have. I happened upon a S&W 38/44 HE with almost no bluing loss a few days ago and the gunsmith wanted north of $700 for it. I'm not sure what they are worth in that condition and I'm not sure if its been refinished or not, but I would have bought it if I had the financial means to do so. But it is great to get to handle them and chat with the owners about their history.

I do agree with the poster above as if I ever move away from where I currently live, I don't think I would go to the range that much at all. Where I moved from it would have cost me around $50 just to go to the range for 30min. Most other clubs are way more expensive than the one I'm at and seem to be far less friendly. Unless you happen to own a lot of acreage, your going to have to go to a range.

As for self defense, I have no problem carrying a revolver for such a purpose. I did notice that I was the only one with a revolver in my cpl class. Even the older guys were using semi autos, so perhaps us wheel-gunners are just a dying breed in general. The only other revolvers I seem to see are for hunting purposes and tend to be Ruger single actions or Colt/Remington SA clones. On a good note, there seems to be a plethora of retired old cops around my area with plenty of advice to spare.

Whew, that was a long post! Ill go back to lurking now.

I appreciate S&W N frames, .44HE's for the most part, from the Triplelock to the 1950 Model and the Model 20, with a few HD's and OD's (and an HP or two) in between. Heck, I'd like to have a genuine New Model 3 some day. I like N frames and those who like them.
On the practical side I suppose that once the emotional "must buy now" impulse has passed then I have to think about what an item is worth now vs. potential value when I must buy something else. All of us go through this, though I think some of the greybeards among us take a longer view.
That's why I like S&W's and S&W enthusiasts. We still like what we like and are not driven by 'the market'. Let's keep it that way, for us.
- T.

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Tom in AZ
Respect the Dingbat

The same thing is facing the world of Swiss watch collecting. This current generation gets the time from a cell phone , and actually laughs at spending a grand or two on an automatic watch with a pedigree. They have zero interest in revolvers, and are not impressed with Dirty Harry in the least bit.some young shooters I know do show interest in first year Glocks.Scary ain't it.

There is another post with the same basic question regarding the current valuation of revolvers and what the future holds. Both post make a good point (i.e. Beanie Babies) but here's an alternative view of the situation.

After introducing my teenage son and teenage nephew to a good selection of various pistols and long guns ---- black guns, plastic guns, "tacti-cool" stuff, AK-47's, AR-15's, lever action, etc. ------ their favorites are S&W revolvers.

I once brought a S&W revolver, a 586 six-inch, to a relative's land where we occasionally shoot. I had never brought a handgun before. The guy and his son liked the 586 so well he called me later that night saying he found a "Buy Now" on Gun Broker that night and bought it.

Look at the popularity of single stack model 1911's a hundred years later. By the way 1911's are highly favored by my teenage nephew.

People recognize quality and desire it. Older S&W revolvers are quality. People will continue to desire them. Yes, these nice older S&W revolvers are getting more expensive, sometime seemingly ridiculously so, but probably no more so than any other quality hobby or collectable item.

Of course the "real investment" value is the time I get to spend with my son, nephew, dad, friends, and other relatives enjoying our hobby and each other's company.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

Things of beauty will always have value to their admirers. In a world of shoddy, nice stuff will always be in demand. The vagaries of speculators and fads will sort out what is valuable at any time. I'm not investing, the stuff I have is a direct link to someone who cared enough to make a product I can appreciate and I hope in years hence my contributions will be appreciated as well. Take a look at what a Gillette Super Speed razor(the same one you used to shave with now no longer made) goes for on ebay. These are being bought by guys in their 30's and 40's. They're wanting a nice piece of brass machinery. The revolver will have a new crowd ogling it when their friends start buying. You'll see.

I've reached the point in my life where if I can't eat it or shoot it (i.e. guns or cameras) I don't need it.

Bob

First the plastic pistols are affordable. The used handgun case at my LGS is full of used one's. I'm thinking the guys who a few years back purchased the hot one to have and fast forward to now it's out dated so it's a cycle I'm seeing on the plastic pistols.

What were seeing now price wise on s&w revolvers the colt python started all this hype on prices back in the mid to late 90's they started going up.
The older s&w revolvers price wise are following the python prices.

The older collectors are selling off there guns. We're seeing this now. I seen this before happen with the surplus military guns at my LGS. I personally don't think the prices will ever peak "but" they may slow down and level off when they reach a point were they don't sell. The demand is the only thing that will keep the cost going higher.

There will still be deals but few and far between. I said this before you will be very happy with what you have as the cost goes higher. I purchased a few excellent 99.99% revolvers the past 2 1/2 years and now I'm happy to have them. Some doubled to trippled in price. I don't care about the value.
My son's will end up with them anyway.

I just completed reading every entry of this original post...Wow that was fun....

I am 60 years old and I love my guns....all if them...Smiths, H&Rs, Hopkins and Allen, Iver Johnson, Colt and so forth....More than anything I love my revolvers single action and double action...When the hammer is pulled back on a revolver and you hear the fine clicks of the action that is slicker than WD40 then the cylinder starts to rotate in slow motion and you let out that final breath real slow then.... BANG..... YEAH at that time I truly understand my "investment".

It's not the money... It's the ART of the revolver... No matter if it's my Iver Johnson, any of my Model 27's or my HD's....I love the guns. I can not afford some of the high end guns like the RM but Dear Lord the chance of even being able one day to possibly pull the trigger on a live round on a dream gun keeps my blood pumping and my desire to collect one going....

I do not want to make money off my collection...I want the satisfaction of owning these fine works of art and knowing that the un-fired Model 57 or the un-fired model 32 DA forth model or any other that gun that I own if I want to I can slip a round in her and listen to her BANG.

Do you really love your guns? I do

Yes, you are wrong. You make a strong case for demand when you talk about value, then say no one under the age of 50 is buying them. I think that's incorrect. Are you assuming retirement Dollars are buying up everything?

As a 30 Something, here's my view:

All new guns look like garbage compared to older guns. Every year new people get into to shooting, handle guns, and realize the difference when they are exposed to old school guns vs new corporate bean counter, cost "optimized" manufactured, ****.

What a deal 1970's smith were 5 years ago! Five to ten years ago I had huge interest in 4 and 5 screw guns, but couldn't really afford them. The Dash 2 guns were substantially less cost in my neck of the woods, and always in great condition (especially .44 Magnums...bought after Dirty Harry, and shot once / not at all). I bought all I could find because they felt right in my hand, and looked right up close.

Kimber, Sig, Glock, and...yes...S&W didn't make guns like that a few years back. So, Dash 2's were at a discount to fair market compared to wiz-bang autos and IL S&W's. Why the hell pay a premium for less gun? Guess what....I'm not the only kid who figured this out. My moment of awareness was cycling the action on a 5 screw K38 Combat Masterpiece working behind a gun store counter in 2001. The value proposition was realized because new guns, frankly, suck, and the market place went from a shoe box to nation wide thanks to online auctions.

Thank the internet for making a national market. It's doing for old revolvers, both Smith's and Colt's, what it did for Machinegun liquidity 10 years ago.

You think current prices are nuts? Hold onto your hats! Far more people born in the past 30 years know what Dirty Harry carried than they know what a Registered Magnum is, and the prior is easier to find in mint condition....and we all know the three "C's" of collecting...

While I am a real young guy I have been in the gun business since I have been a kid. I see a trend that people my age who have fathers who are late 50's and early 60's have no interest in the classic firearms.

They seem to only want the newest plastic piece or craziest variant of the current military weapon

While this is slightly saddening for the collectibility and overall history of firearms it makes me believe that the cycle will come around full circle and I will be able to buy my favorite firearms for much less in the future than I am now

As a *gasp* twenty something I am only interested in pre model marked four and five screw S&W revolvers. I avidly seek out, research, and collect all things related to the above. Best of all, I have a 'fair bit' of fun in doing so.

There is hope for the younger generation, just let us have a deal once in a while

Changes in the product that make the older versions seem better drive up prices.

In S&W revolvers, it was the introduction of MIM and the infernal lock that made it seem like older-is-better.

In Marlin lever action rifles, when Remington bought out Marlin and then let quality slip, the old JM stamped Marlins took off in price and are now higher than new guns.

On the other hand, I had a 1969 original Hemi Roadrunner (numbers matching engine) that I sold last year.

If I had sold it at the peak of the housing bubble in 2006/7 I'd have gotten 1.5 to 2 times as much for it.

Not sure how much of that was guys like me who went to high school during the muscle car era getting old, or how much was the general economy.

BTW, I bought a Marlin JM rifle last December from a 30 year old guy who was planning to use the money for a 3" Ruger GP100. So not all young guys hate revolvers.

I personally think once all this plastic pistol hype is over these guys will look to getting some revolvers. The hay day of revolvers isn't over yet.
If you manufacture them "prom" Purdy like the nickel finish the customers will be lined up at your door. Make a special of the month like a nickel 1911, a 5" m27 in nickel. Make the guns exceiting again.

What will the young collect, tupperware?

If the economy melts down and we are scrabbling to stay alive, a good reliable revolver will be a very valuable thing to have....

Still waiting for this to happen.....I hear all the old time collectors TALK about selling but they never seem to actually sell anything.

If I want to shoot targets, like today, there are more modern better options than pre-numbered S&W's.

BUT!

If I want to buy a nicely made, perfectly fitted, classic piece of metal markers art, then I will pick up a 38/44 and be happy with it. I buy them because I like them and I protect them. Most I will never shoot but who cares. I still like every one I see.

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SWCA 1646

Guns like S&W, Colt, Winchester never go down. At least since 1929 when my Dad started collecting. Now some other flash in the pan guns like High Standard and Seecamp have gone wildly up and then went down and stayed down at a more reasonable level. But these guns we collect are metallic art and have value far beyond shooting.

Second Beanie Babies, Furbies, etc were come and go fads. S&W revolvers been in demand for over 100++ years. The demand is increasing today.
With the demand today up goes the prices too. What's the draw to owing these? We can own, touch, shoot and enjoy a piece of history. Just look at how many own Dirty Harry's revolver. In there minds everyone wants to be like Harry right and owning that revolver brings them closer to that. The S&W revolvers makes me think about the law enforcement and the men and woman who carried most of these. Like the early 38/44's. Elmer Keith and Jordan who helped developed the magnums and there ammo. Everyone played a part in this development even s&w. The 357 magnum, the 41 magnum and the 44 magnum just didn't appear over night. Don't leave out the 44 special, s&w 38, & s&w 38 special. In the late 1800's to the early 1900's all these played the role of the peace keepers in it country.
Think about that when you hold one. I believe that S&W did more development for firearms than colt and the other fire at manufacturers did. Bigbill

BTW, Think about it there will never be any history about the plastic pistols. Yet the history of the well over 100++ years of the revolver designs even continues in the new revolvers that's offered today.

The younger folks know more than we think. I bought some nice guns from a friend in need for good prices. Was going to make a nice profit. Called my son to brag a little. He came right over and gave me a check for them. The same amount as I had paid for them. You can't make a profit on your own kid!! The colt Python for $600 has gone thru the roof!!!!

Although i am absolutely a capitalist through and through I would respectfully submit that you should steer clear of making a "nice profit" "from a friend in need" - your son just played it forward.


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