A collector is one whose accumulation illustrates history---and tells a story. I started off in 1957 to "collect" S&W target guns----S&W's because they're better looking than Colts---targets because they make sense, and the alternative does not. Alas, after about 30 years and 135 guns in the pile, I came to the realization I didn't have a collection---simply an accumulation of guns with target sights---which did not illustrate history worth a damn ----------and told no story-----or perhaps too many stories----with none particularly related to another.
At that point, I stopped dead, sold damn near all the guns, and started over----------this time with REAL target guns. This time the definition was guns a serious competitor might choose to take to an important match. Needless to say, I allowed myself a little latitude because having been brought up as a Bullseye shooter, I'd only have two guns---a .22 Automatic and a .45 Automatic---with a spare for each at the outside. As an aside, having been brought up shooting revolvers, I can tell you that's not the hot set-up when it comes time for timed and rapid fire. It's doable, but A LOT of work---and not so effective when it comes time to add up your scores. I settled for guns that at least looked like target guns, and that was a big help when it came to justifying my N frames----'cause I'd seldom seen an N frame at any match---and I'm fond of N frames.
I ended up with 65 guns this time around.
So this time around I collected REAL target guns starting at the beginning, and ending at the end of the five screws, and did a fine job of illustrating history and telling a story.
The term "an investment collector" appears up above---also the opinion "The crazy ones collect Rugers." I collected Rugers over a seven year dry spell (2000-2007) when the S&W's I sought were seldom seen---put together all the "3 screw" single actions. I didn't keep track, but figure I spent maybe $20,000 on 34 guns. The Rugers went away when I ran out of room in my display case----packed 'em up, and headed for David Carroll's. He in turn did his thing, put 'em on Gun Broker, and came back with $55,000 and change. I'd never thought about making money on the deal---just making room in the display case. I ended up with both---and was flabbergasted---AND a happy camper!! Fast forward to maybe five years ago when I'd reached an age way past a normal expiration date, I decided it'd be best to leave behind a pile of money rather than a pile of guns, and did the same thing with my S&W collection----only he came here and packed everything up. This time was about the same as with the Rugers, only having no clue how much I'd spent on 65 S&W target guns. I can tell you how much I'd spent on maybe 8 or 10 of the "special" guns, and it took a whole lot longer than if he'd dumped all of them on Gun Broker, but he came back with A PILE of money------and I'd never even thought about being an "investment collector"----------it just happened. If you want to know how, it's simple: Buy good stuff, and take good care of it.
Oh, and when the time comes to dump all of it, call somebody who knows how to do it, and who to do it with-----and you too might very well decide you were an "investment collector"---never mind the thought had never entered your head!
Ralph Tremaine