What constitutes collectable?

[GerSan69]

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.

This was an interesting thread to read. Other than Gunhohulk, no mention at all about the prototype serial number. In years past, there used to be a ton of talk about the significance and rarity of these models. I guess that knowledge has dropped off the horizon or something. Oh, well.
OP, I recommend searching the forum with keywords like prototype or PC test, and stick to this sub-forum. I'd also suggest sending for a letter. Something that has a rarely-seen serial beginning with an X and having a low numeral at the other end might have some interest. I used to follow these threads religiously and for that reason I suspect it's more significant than the other posters do. Now, it's been a while since I read about these guns, and I think I've forgotten more details than I care to admit. Anyway, good luck and good acquisition!

 

[sceva]

It boils down to something that someone or a lot of someones likes and wants to keep around for the pleasure of owning and looking at. It can be the most mundane and inexpensive items, like matchbook covers but there is someone out there that likes and wants them.

 

[Sevens]

There is one shortcut to "collectable" for many or most modern S&W handguns... and this translates to other brands also.

If it was a total dog in the market when it was new, such that they did not make a ton of them, and many or most were soon slashed in price and nearly given away... and then forgotten for a couple decades...

...you can almost set your watch and observe them later being all the rage.

S&W examples:

Model 16-4
Model 547
Model 520
Model 4505
Model 5905

Coming soon to the -HOT- market: Model 3906

There are others I did not mention if you dig a bit. The 16-4 is the most humorous one. One might argue that they did not make a ton of sense when they were released and almost nobody bought them. And loads of them were offered at or near cost absolutely NIB because they were virtually unsellable.

Say that out loud now and S&W guys will come at you from 360 degrees extolling the endless love and desire for the 16-4 but the history is absolutely real and true.

 

[Bambihunter71]

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

But, I have mine in a spreadsheet.

 

[Bambihunter71]

I collect some things simply because I really like them. Sometimes, I buy more than one so I can shoot one and keep the other one mint/unfired. I am often surprised by what takes off in value, and what doesn't. I've got some that have really shot up in value to astronomical levels. They are rare because no one bought them when they were new because they were in an odd format - such as the S&W 1046, it's a 5" barrel DAO 10mm. I also don't understand why the Franchi SPAS-12 commands such a premium when the Benelli M3T folder does everything it does and WAY better (I have both - I really want to add a SPAS-15). I am guessing it must be the iconic hook. It is clunky to use otherwise and most have the unsafe safety.

 

[mauser9]

All matching K98ks and Lugers.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I like and carry 3rd Gen Auto, I've accumulated a fair number
I like K&L frame S&Ws, I've accumulated a number
I like Beretta 92s
I like Walther PPKs
Sig P series .45s
Browning HPs
I like CZ rifles especially the FS/Mannlicher's

But most of all, I love a deal too good to leave behind!