What constitutes collectable?

[Birdhunter6]

If you have more than you need, and still crave another... Well, that's YOUR personal definition of collectibles.

For me it's 4" square butt hand ejectors. Where does collecting end and addiction begin?

 

[Spurdann]

My experience is that when I am buying it is a collectible, when I am selling it is common. I buy what I like, even though I know it is only a collectible because I want it.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I think the general consensus is if you're happy , that's all that counts . I have more than a few PC guns , some are less than 1 of 150 . Does that mean it's valuable to someone else ? Probably not unless he collects PC guns . In the grand scheme of things , buy what you want and be happy .

 

[lkabug]

A collectable is whatever one decides to collect.
One man's trash may be another's collection.
All collections are the accumulation of something.

 

[JH1951]

Y'all keep putting a spin on plain ole' supply and demand. Keep it simple.

Beanie Babies are a classic example of frenzy feeding; so were Cabbage Patch Kids, and so many other things with a contrived demand (and value). What happened to the price of Bud Lite when nobody wanted to drink it anymore? Supplies were being destroyed in some cases. But the Market is fickle. You can bet on that. Choose your investments wisely by doing some research. There were a million Winchester 1897's produced between 1897 and 1957. All have some value today, but all are not equal. It depends which variation you are chasing, and what condition you are demanding. Some will cost $300. and some will be 25 times that. Sorry to bore you, but at one time I taught economics.
If you buy something and have to ask "How did I do?" I would hope you have the answer to that before the question was asked.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I have heard and read a great deal about what is a collectible. Opinions vary from informed, misinformed, to downright bigotry. If the OP finds the gun he bought collectible, good luck to him.

What constitutes a collectible....

You find something you think you can't live without.

You buy it with a big smile.

You fondle it several times a day for 1 week.

You put it in a real nice comfortable place.

You don't really use it.

Then.. you brag that you have one.

 

[45Smashemflat]

That’s why I consider myself an “accumulator “ rather than a “collector.” Collection implies some degree of organization, doesn’t it?

 

[JH1951]

That’s why I consider myself an “accumulator “ rather than a “collector.” Collection implies some degree of organization, doesn’t it?

Well, maybe..... Is it not possible to be a "gun collector" that collects guns without any strict confines?
There is a lot of territory between "I collect guns" and "I collect pre-war S&W Terriers", but both are gun collectors in my book. Some people develop or acquire a 'focus' as time moves on, and others may not. There is not really much difference between 'collector' and 'accumulator' , anyway, is there?

 

[44wheelman]

Collector/collectable vs hoarder/junk.. matter of perspective, just ask my wife.

Uniqueness, history, and desirability are attributes of collectable.

 

[Raymond88]

I would personally consider any steel frame S&W semi-auto collectible (the new CSX and the m&p steel frame not considered) They haven't made them in 26 years. I believe (no one else would agree i'm sure) that even A model 915 will be A collectors item one day. I have 44 2nd and 3rd gens. I NEVER pass one up no matter what it is.

 

[ken158]

Collectible seems to be in the mind of the owners or seekers. When there is a higher demand than supply may make something considered collectible. Some people get all excited about serial numbers but hide the number when displaying… and of course hanging on the wall may or may not show its collectibility. Hidden in the back of a safe may give you something to brag about but not very exciting to others. Good topic that could go many pages…

 

[Model29-26.5]

If you have more than you need, and still crave another... Well, that's YOUR personal definition of collectibles.

For me it's 4" square butt hand ejectors. Where does collecting end and addiction begin?

Right from the very beginning

 

[Frailer]

Well, maybe..... Is it not possible to be a "gun collector" that collects guns without any strict confines?
There is a lot of territory between "I collect guns" and "I collect pre-war S&W Terriers", but both are gun collectors in my book. Some people develop or acquire a 'focus' as time moves on, and others mat not. There is not really much difference between 'collector' and 'accumulator' , anyway, is there?

Interesting observation. I have always been of the opinion that a “collection” presumes some sort of focus, whether that be narrow or broad.

That said, I suppose “guns I think are cool” would qualify.

 

[chief38]

There are so many aspects to the answer.....
Rarity, demand, uniqueness, mistaken markings, small production run, etc. There are some who collect entire lines of a manufacturer's line and there are some who only collect a minute section of a narrow production run.

When I was big into the Lionel Train hobby I collected the type and style of locomotives I had when I was a kid. In contrast to that I also collected all the different variations of "Smoke Pellets" for the Steam Loco's. Whenever I thought I had all the different variations, I would discover yet some more. Then of course there were smoke pellet collectors who only collected sealed master cartons, unopened bottles and dealer displays for the Smoke Pellets. There is always another level.

So as you can see there are different people who recognize different reasons to collect different items.

In our hobby....... I would say that what makes a gun collectible is when it was a stellar example of a near perfect design, near perfect manufacturing and quality control and an item that can no longer be readily found - at least in pristine condition at reasonable prices.

 

[Valmet]

A Gen 1 Glock prototype or low serial number a collectible? Not to me.

A prototype or low serial number Colt 1911...all day long!

As in Raiders of the Lost Ark..."Look at this. [holds out a pocket watch] It's worthless. Ten dollars from a vendor in the street. But I take it, I bury it in the sand for a thousand years, it becomes priceless!"

It can be much the same with many firearms.

While it’s hard to believe sometimes, Gen1 Glock 19s will bring $20k+ as they were essentially cut-down 17s made at the very end of 1988 prior to the Gen2 being introduced in 1989.

 

[gwpercle]

When people will pay you Insane Amounts of money for something ...

It Might be Collectable !
Gary

 

[cmansguns]

What about the "story" aspect?

I see most of the replies to this thread talk about collectability (or lack thereof) and the reasons and expectations, whereas the original post also said he was concerned that he may have bought the story too.

Every gun I have ever bought used has some sort of "story" behind it, sometimes obvious, sometimes not, especially in estate sales if the heirs are around and you can get by the auctioneer. Others found in gun shops, pawn shops etc. also usually have a story, but also usually a tad "dubious" sometimes.

I always go in with both eyes open, overall condition, mechanical condition, cosmetic condition, desire on my part, then price that I think I can get it for. All of this is usually while I am listening to the story so if I end up with the gun for the price I thought was good....then the story is icing on the cake so to speak. If I overpaid (I.E. bought too early) then the story has nothing to add, so don't care if true or not.

Regarding the OP's prototype serial number...as said by others...the story may make it very interesting to some when you decide to sell, others not so much, so if you are happy with price paid then the story is good and don't worry about it.

I have some very neat stories behind some of my guns, but no story famous enough to make the gun a "never shoot it", "absolute safe queen until I pass" sort of thing.

When I sell...it is 100% up to potential buyers to evaluate the "package" (gun and story) and decide whether worth it to them or not.

Every one of the guns below came with a "story"...the 31-1 sat in a widow mothers dresser drawer for 40+ years...the son never knew she even owned it. The 32 Hand Ejector also was found by heirs and had been bought by a grandfather, seemingly never shot, inherited by the dad somewhere around 1978, put 1 round through it, when he passed away his kids don't want it in their houses so I get it and the box of ammo missing 1 round.

All neat backstories....but add zero to "perceived value".

The GREAT part of this hobby....chasing down history that you are holding in your hand!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

A lot depends on your focus and interests.
Here’s a WWII Survival Kit Folding Machete.
The Knife Guys know about it, some probably have one.
You non-Knife Guys probably don’t know about it and could care less!
And yes, I also have the rarer Case non- folder.

 

[Gunhohulk]

Congrats on picking that up! I was watching that auction with envy and if I wasn’t a CA resident that has to deal with the BS of a roster I probably would have gotten involved and ran it a bit higher. My consolation prize was that I found a Shorty .40 that same day at a local gun show for a decent price.

I think the XPX…. Serial indicates it was the gun they used to develop the Shorty 45 and if they had marketed the gun better it would have gone for a higher price. If you look through guns international you will find a couple XPX serial range guns that have documentation and the whole package that the sellers are trying to get 10-13k for. That seems pretty pie in the sky but those guns could be worth more than their standard run counterparts.

 

[KurtC]

If you're the seller, the firearm is "collectable."

If you're the buyer, it's nothing special.