Future Revolver Values Projection / Thoughts

I have only been seriously "collecting" for about 3 years since I retired. I buy what I like (have some Colts and Berettas) but I am partial to pinned barrel, S&W Revolvers (1957-1982). In particular J and K frames mainly .22LR and .38.

I don't buy safe queens but I do buy those that are 90% or better and those that I can shoot when I want. I will pay fair market value but will pass on those I think are overpriced. I maintain my collection very well, cleaning after every trip to the range.

My question is this for those experienced collectors.

Do you feel the value of these pin barrel revolvers have topped out or do you think they will continue to increase in value or at least maintain their value over the next ten years?

The reason I ask is that I have located a dealer that has a good selection of nice pinned barrel revolvers and I am considering buying two or more at one time. (Usually I buy one here and there.)

Thanks for your counsel and advice.

I've been buying and selling (mostly buying) S&W revolvers for about 40 years. My observation is the prices tend to go up and down for little or no reason. Currently here in California pinned and recessed guns and pre-lock guns are bringing a premium; five years ago not so much. I have never seen values decrease but sometimes it takes a lot longer to get your asking price.

My bet is they will appreciate at least as much if not more in value than most other guns.

While values will continue to rise in the long run, I do not believe the S&W revolvers will provide any serious profit for you or your progeny. I think it is best to collect what you like and enjoy them. That said, I go for the large frames when I can afford an addition. Look at gun sites on the web and you will find the highest vales associated with the large frames. There are some exceptions, of course (K32s and Colt Pythons?) but I (also retired) enjoy shooting the biggies with light loads. Are their any 24s, 25s, 27s, or 29s in the trove you found?

Model 10's, 64's, 19's and a couple of 15's. Some being snub nose.

Right now, 2 and 3" anything seem to bring high prices, and my guess would be this trend will continue for a while given the demand for CCWs. No way to predict the future but high condition and scarcity tend to do better for value in the long run.

Anything's possible. The market could tank and gun sales plumet because the fear of future regulation goes away. The price could spike because all the sudden people realize the old S&W's are just as good if not better than the new ones being produced. I wouldn't trust anyone who professed to "know" where the market will be one year much less five years from now.

It sounds like the guns your looking at are some of he most common models so the good thing is they aren't really too overpriced for their utility. Any decent quality steel revolver costs $400 or more. If your paying $600or so for a model 19 I can't see the price dropping to much. It's never going to get any cheaper for manufacturers to make them.

I'd be more concerned about not overpaying today vs future unknown value.

I've been collecting S&Ws for a while now, 40 some odd years. One thing is becoming clear, the young guys don't like our old guns nearly as much as we do. It means the market isn't growing. But as us old guys retire, we seem to be capable of putting up significant money to buy what we want. Keep in mind that it isn't just the guns, but also stuff like the boxes. Some demand the original box, others of us seem happy with a correct box. I have friends who have done quite well demanding nothing but a perfect example. I'm not nearly as picky and will settle for any example of a really rare gun. I don't mind shooters as long as the gun doesn't seem abused in its other life.

I think there is a good argument that gun prices have been steady, its just the dollar that has gone down in value.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I expect that the P&R or classic type revolver values will level or drop substantially in the next couple decades. This will occur when they are regarded as "too old" to be sound (without regard to whether this is true) or are otherwise left in the dust by new technology. "Collector" interest may remain high; however, the next generation (kids now) will not view them as viable carry pieces. The CCW market will be moving on in the near future.

To be clear...I don't like the above projection. I've just thought about it a bit recently and come to that conclusion. I am guilty of it myself. I am a solid revolver guy, but when I see a "flat latch" it just strikes me as too much of an antique to carry even though its not materially different than those with the modern latch. It's partially about perception.

I almost always pay too much, compared to what folks here seem to be able to buy everything for. It doesn't really matter though, because I never plan to sell what I have. If things get to the point where I need the money I'll probably see a profit on a few, break even on most and lose a little on some. The loss of money will be outweighed by the enjoyment I've had using them and the appreciation of a well made firearm.

Buy what you are attracted to. Not that long ago the word was the revolver was dead. Not true..and lately the prices have reflected a lot of demand for quality wheel guns. I am of the belief no matter what I buy,as long as it is of the highest quality,and in sound condition,another enthusiast will pay to own it. I've recently expanded into the antique era and am amazed by the fine examples available at what I consider reasonable prices. If I see something I really like..I buy it..assuming the funds are available. If I pay "too much" I look at it as the price I pay to own early. I'm not getting any younger..

Hi Forum;

Years ago I popped my $25 - $30 annually for the latest "Blue Book" by Fjestad, or "Standard Catalog of Firearms" by Lee, and then when finding something (usually Smith or Colt) that I couldn't live without...I would try to use those values as a basis and I found very quickly that those published values were nowhere near the local market, or my assessment of condition or personal value to me so...I now put all that annual "library money" into the guns themselves (when I find them that is).

Just like other posters above.....win some, lose some, break even sometimes too.

With my 9 kids all grown up,4 sons-in -law, 1 daughter about to be State Patrol, I am blessed with family that enjoys guns and the shooting sports, but even with that, the active military guys (2) have mastered the M9, the daughter is training with a Glock 21, yet I don't own any of these so when they are home or shooting they actually prefer the "old man's revolvers". Most have made comments about handing down and I think I know their individual preferences. I have other Smiths and Colt's that still have appeal to me, but not so much to anyone else.

Revolver values increasing??? I feel it's somewhat like Blue Chip Stocks....IBM, Big Utilities, etc. yea...they go up and down but over the years always rising. I can't hold, shoot, clean, enjoy any paper stock...so I'm not interested whether values go up or down, but with my guns? The value is always going up (to me) so when it is time to sell the real question is: do you want this particular gun more than I do?

However that question gets answered is the definition of fair market value: What a willing seller will take from a willing buyer.

That question gets answered several times every day in LGS, Internet and FTF transactions and that is why I watch this forum most every day and you can usually spot what seems to be happening with value around the country, locally, and by people who know these older revolvers....much better "market value estimating" than 2 or more year old book values.

I think that the obvious dominating factor will be - How will subsequent generations value the older revolvers? On one hand I have a difficult time imagining that these beautifully crafted machines will depreciate in value , but at the same time I see evidence all around me that younger people do not appreciate quality and craftmanship the we "we" do. Also - many of us here have a direct cultural and/or emotional connection to that which the older firearms represent. Those ties will be loosened with our departure from the scene.

My heart tells me that the prices will continue to rise , as they have been for some years. My objective brain is not so sure.

Hello friends,

I really appreciate and understand many of the responses here, particularly from rburg (#7) and Waveski (#12) above. I have a decent collection of S&Ws, and my GREATEST interest is in the pre-lock P&R revolver universe. (That is what I’ll focus on here.) Maybe my heirs will get good value out of them some day, maybe not... but I'm enjoying my collecting hobby.

I've got some safe queens, and a complement of high condition shooters, although I really don't get out to the range as often as I should.

Here’s how I look at it…

I believe the population of revolver collectors is getting older, and I would expect smaller over time. If you doubt it, just look at the photos of the members of the S&W Collectors Association (an excellent organization, of which I am a member). There is not a lot of new young blood there.

Now to be fair, some older folks tend to have more capital ($$$) to spend, just because they have worked for more years, and younger folks may not be able to travel to special gun-related events or big shows. They're busy working...

I feel the most important factor driving the future market is potential lack of demand by the younger generation(s). I don't know what the sales percentages would be, revolver vs. automatic, but I'm sure it's not in the revolver's favor. When I go to a gun show, it's easy to see what people are looking at, and what they are buying.

My son, who is in his late 20s, doesn’t shoot much at all, but generally prefers target automatics due to his perception of a cleaner, lighter trigger pull… and higher capacity. Hey, that’s his opinion and he’s entitled to it. That being said, he really LOVES my model 27-2 with the 3½” barrel, but I would never think he’d make any effort to buy one. His girlfriend covets my nickel 19-3 with a 2½” barrel, but she would never go out and buy one of those either. It’s just an appreciation of the beauty.

The closest analogy I can make concerning collectable items is from the "classic car" world. Jay Leno, who is a BIG-TIME car collector was talking about it. He said, "the market goes for what people always wanted, but couldn't get when they were young. There was a time that Ford Model Ts and cars like that went for big dollars. Those people are dead now, and the prices are way down. However, muscle cars from the 1960s and 70s, have been going up like crazy, since more people can afford them."

Of course, the number of collectable pre-lock/P&R revolvers isn’t getting any bigger, and it only takes one buyer per gun to make a sale. I’m just saying that the factors affecting market value are not always favorable to the collector/accumulator. It’s supply and demand, and although supply is fixed, demographics seem to be working against the demand side of the equation.

But getting back to VaTom’s (the original poster) question… he’s asking about the next ten years.

My crystal ball is a little bit cloudy right now. Here’s the way I look at it…

If I had a dealer with a good selection of pinned revolvers, I’d be inclined to buy. The higher the gun condition, with matching box, paperwork and tools, etc. may be the best bet, as the rarity of the item will always be acknowledged.

Best wishes everyone!

Roger aka Mr. Wonderful

My friends and I talk about this from time to time.

Things come and go from collectiblity and value.

The car market comes to mind, Brass era, Model T and A Fords, these had hit the peak fell and seem level, younger guys dont have much interest in them. Muscle cars are hot and now 1970s imports are getting some action.

In guns the Tip up and Top breaks were the real collector guns not all to long ago, today where are they??

Milsurp guns, video games brought younger guys to them but some see bolt action guns as "old man guns"

Lionel trains, the internet seemed to kill off the value? If your not around 50 today you dont know or care about them. In twenty years where will they be?

People tend to collect what they had or wanted when they were young. In twenty years will a RM be some old relic worth a few hundred while the collect gen 1 Glocks in the original Tupperware box?

My feeling is revolvers will have some interest but they wont care about how many screws it has. I do think the lock will matter as it is ugly and reflects an era. I also think bigger calibers will hold value longer than smaller, the exception of 22.

I had a young gun shop clerk ask me who would want a .32 its and old garbage caliber...

Someone told me a long time ago buy and enjoy what you like dont worry about the rest.

Anyone want to buy some Lionel Trains....

(Just kidding)

I think there is a good argument that gun prices have been steady, its just the dollar that has gone down in value.

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^^^, this may very well be the main reason for the increase in pricing. Sadly, everything costs more these days. As there are only so many people who wish to own high quality, vintage, revolvers and most of these fine folks Don't have unlimited budgets sellers may have to adjust their pricing if they are serious about selling.

As I have most of the revolvers I want and more than I really need, I'd be happy if pricing leveled off about where it is and stayed there, or even dropped somewhat.

Great responses! Thanks so much!

Buying two vs. one isn't drastic.

I do believe the value of 90% and better pinned barrel revolvers will climb. They're not making anymore of them.

It's suppply vs. demand. The greater the demand while supply is (fixed in this case)low is a sellers market which means the prices are up.

I've been buying S&W revolvers for over 35 years and have only noticed a steady rise in prices. A lot has to do with demographics and the political climate, but I don't ever see them going down in price as long as they remain relevant.

The reason I say relevant is because as soon as a laser or a different type of projectile is invented and available to the general public, today's gunpowder and lead guns will certainly fall out of favor. Users who want a firearm as the most effective tool possible will buy into the newest technology and hardware.

I collected rare and vintage cameras for many years and enjoyed the steady increase in value with each passing year. They were nostalgic, well made and could still be used with modern film and processing to create stunning images.

That is until digital cameras became mainstream. The 35mm Kodak Retina IIIC that I bought for $150 (early 80's) and shot up to well over $1,000 (late 90's), is now back down to about $150. Not to mention my Nikon F4 35mm that cost me $2500 new, and I was happy to get $300 when I sold it.

I believe that relevance of technology will play a significant role in the future value of our collections.

Over the short term, prices should hold steady or even rise, especially for rare specimens. A lot of us are at retirement age and still have decent financial reserves, so we can indulge ourselves a little and not worry much.

This changes as we age (learned from observation of parents, in-laws) and before you know it doctor bills, hospital bills, prescriptions, all begin to take more and more cash out of our reserves. Ultimately folks go to partial- or full-care residential facilities. These places don't want some old guy who is starting to become irrational to move in with a bunch of handguns. Trust me on this one.

So in the next couple of decades I expect to see more and more really nice revolvers to come on the market. They will often be sold by heirs with little or no knowledge or interest in firearms. "You mean somebody will give us $1,000 for all Dad's old guns? Great!"

My best guess is that prices will drop drastically in the long term. Down the road, depending on who is running the country, you may not be able to sell them at all.

I'll probably be selling most of mine off in the next 5 to 10 years. Sure, each will sell for double or more what I paid in dollar amount. But if you adjust for inflation, then factor in auction commissions, FFL fees, etc., I'll be lucky to break even.

Have you noticed all the revolvers Ruger has brought out lately? The all new Kimber revolver? No, revolvers are not dead by a long sight. The fact of the matter is how many hobbies have you known where you can own, enjoy, use, and sell at a profit (though maybe not huge). I have kept a spread sheet on my firearms for over the past 30+ years, and update it about every year as to the current value, (based on selling prices of Gunbroker) and it has grown substantially. My stockbroker account has grown much more over this period. Are guns a good investment? Probably a decent investment, considering the enjoyment you get from them, just don'[t plan to retire on them alone.