Future Classics 1980 to Present

loeman

loeman

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OK, we're not talking about Registered Magnums here, they are certified, undeniable classics. What about the Smiths that fit into the parameters of this thread? What do you think collectors 10 to 30 years from now will be actively seeking (1980 to Present) for their collections?

I just bought one that I think will be a future desirable. It's a Model 681. An all business 357 and there was not a huge number made. What do you think?

I'll post some pics of my "new" 681 soon.
 
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I think like anything it will always be the lesser produced models. The down side is that the sheer number of guns being produced today dwarfs those of yesteryear. I have read an NRA estimate that the number of guns owned around 1994 in the US was 190 million and is now hovering around 310 million. I don't know what criteria was used or the realistic accuracy of those numbers is (and my memory may be off a bit on them as well).

Night Guards had a short run. Some of the PD models as well. Performance Centers, etc. The Model 610 is a good one, Mountain Guns are another. P&R 629s are a sleeper in my book.
 
Maybe they'll stop making internal locks - so all the revolvers with IL's will be collectible. I kid of course.

How about an R8? Of course anything collectible now will be then.
 
I think any of the pre lock no dash models in excellent condition with the box and goodies with be high end collectibles. Models like the 586, 686, 629, 617 to name a few.
 
Although I do collect the aforementioned guns, I feel there is little chance their value could exceed typical stock market gains.

The diversity sure is fun, though!! :D

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fyimo said:
I think any of the pre lock no dash models in excellent condition with the box and goodies with be high end collectibles. Models like the 586, 686, 629, 617 to name a few.
Click to expand...

I'd echo that, and add the 625 to that list. Post locks, there really aren't any that I'd consider "future classics".
 
My feeling is that any future collectors will presently be the 20 - 30 age group today.This group as a whole seem to only be interested with black plastic guns.Unless culturally , something changes to redirect attention to revolvers, we might be looking at their demise in whole.
 
681/581, fantastic guns with relatively low production numbers. Any P&R stainless guns, and any short barreled guns, especially in 45 acp or colt, 44 SPL or magnum. And not that they aren't already, but the 9mm J and K frames.
 
I think some of the Performance Center models, such as the F-Comp, will be prized by collectors. Also the 696, the 625, and anything that came with factory finger-grooved combat grips and still has them...
 
I see no one mentioned the 627.I have a no dash with an unfluted cylinder.Besides being an assume shooter,I have been told it is on the most wanted list.I also have a 686 plus Mt gun,and a 629 Mt gun,both of which I would think would make the list.
 
Just as with the odd gun that "could not have been factory", never say never with fickle future collectors and what they will want. I personally remember 3.5" model 27s, 547s and 696s sitting on shelves gathering dust, and now look at how they sell.
 
The guns that aren't the most popular now and therefore the lowest # made, will usually be the more desirable collectors in the future. Look at the Mod. 61, the .22 RF Pocket Escort. It was made for three years and dealers had them on their shelves and couldn't give them away. Have you seen one lately? And when you do see one the price is getting up there. I still don't think they are particularly attractive, just unique.
 
3inch ...... 66s
3 inch ........ 13s

PC "Stocking Dealer" (SD) 9,.40 and.356s

PC Shorty .40s and Shorty 9s

I think really nice 586/581s as the last of the blue/no lock .357s

Need I say more!
 
I collect Remington and Smith & Wesson firearms that were standard production models that only enjoyed short production runs. For instance, the 5" S&W 629-3 Classic DX, which was only made in that barrel length in 1994 or the Remington XP-100R, the repeater version of the XP-100 that was only made in 1998, the last year of XP production. Other Remingtons would be the Model Six pump rifle, an embellished version of the 7600, and the 870 Competition, a single-shot pump trap shotgun with a gas-assisted recoil reduction system, which both were only made for five years back in the 1980s. Another is the Model 700BDL made from 1997 through 2001 as those rifles had engraved receivers and magazine floorplates.

True one-of-a-kinds and special-run items often cost too much to buy and their higher resale value limits the number of potential buyers you might find of you want to sell them. But I think S&Ws like pre-IL, pre-MIM 686 PowerPorts and the various Classic hunter versions of several S&W models that were produced in smallish numbers for a company like S&W make affordable potential collector pieces.

Accurately predicting resale value for anything is difficult but one can only make his/her best guess. For example, one option or feature can make all the difference in the world in a car's value. Rear disc brakes on a 1969 Camaro Z28 increase the car's value tremendously because only 200 had them and the 1969 Camaro was made for a year and a half, as the 1970 didn't come out until spring of '70. A folding rear seat is even more rare - if I recall correctly, only 30 were made with that seemingly meaningless option.

But buying, collecting and shooting any nice firearm is fun so if it later becomes valuable, that's just icing on an already delicious cake.

Ed
 
I know how you feel about your 681. My 581 is the oldest DA revolver that I own. It has the tightest lock up. It is a" Classic".







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I am unqualified to predict. I can say that all of my Mountain Guns have drawn attention from collectors.

The 629 was my first and I carried it quite a bit while backpacking. The only grips I use on it are the rubber ones. I loved it, but wanted a blue one. I started searching. In the meantime I turned down offers for it that were more than what I paid for it.

I heard about the 625 and had to search long and far to find one. When I did, I wanted the Jerry Miculek grips for it. You can see them in the pic. First set I got fit poorly so I sent them back. Second set also fit poorly. They asked me to send the gun, which I did. The note that came back with it said Jerry personally picked the grips they sent back with it. *I* think that's WAY cool! I've had no firm offers on it - AND IT AIN'T FER SALE! - but quite a few people have asked what I want for it.

I found what seemed like the last retail 29 Mountain Gun anywhere, at H&H guns in Oklahoma City. I know many will say the lock disqualifies it as a collectible, but I have turned down twice what I paid for it.:D AND IT AIN'T FER SALE!:mad: I also think the wood grips work as well for me as the rubber ones on the 629. I have large hands but still have issues with checkered wood grips on magnums. I can really get them around this new style grip and use it exclusively. I carry it exclusively in a fitted Bachman holster and have yet to see any wear marks. The butt is scratched up a bit though.

I'm not a collector. The few collectibles I have came to me through ordinary buy, sell and trade. These revolvers will be in my "assembly" when I cross the veil. Our kids will get to fight over them.
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