Whats your highest appreciation gun?
- Thread starter jetjky
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THE PILGRIM
Member
Probably my Outdoorsman.
Bought it I think in 1963 for $75.
Bought it I think in 1963 for $75.
I bought a Colt Diamondback 4" .22 from a workmate in about 1991 for $150, it is ten times that much now!
Got a Mini 30 for free
Lots of stories like that in my safe....
Wow . . . wish I had stories like that. I do have an excellent Gettysburg battlefield find. Its a Klingenthal 1829 heavy saber with matching scabbard. Here is a look. I want to build a shadowbox display case. This was for certain carried by a Confederate trooper.
Old Klingenthal With Odd Markings | American Civil War Forum
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The two that come to mind were a M1 Garand I bought from the DCM (many moons ago), and sold about 8 or 9 years ago for $850, (would now sell around $1200 or more).
The second one was a .32 top break, nickle, 2" Bicycle gun. Bought sometime in the late 90's, and sold about 3 years ago. Paid around $350 and sold for $2500.
You will find lots of stories of nice firearms, seldom if ever used, selling for 5X, 10X, and more than original price.
The second one was a .32 top break, nickle, 2" Bicycle gun. Bought sometime in the late 90's, and sold about 3 years ago. Paid around $350 and sold for $2500.
You will find lots of stories of nice firearms, seldom if ever used, selling for 5X, 10X, and more than original price.
I bought this HK91 in 1984 on my FFL for $399 to the house. Got a cut up Portuguese G3 for $150, sold the "lower group" for $100 immediately. Last offer was $3K but that was years ago. I guess I should have bought more. Joe
I had an import 30 carbine that was fairly worn I paid $150 for in 92/93. During the sandy hook panic I was offered $1800 for it while I was shooting it on the range. Needless to say it didn't go home with me. My Winchester 1887 shotgun I paid $75 for has appreciated to about $1200. I stupidly did not spend the extra $25 to buy the Winchester stamped saddle scabbard that was with it.
VaTom
Member
Modified
Member
This is a really hard question to answer because I only ever bought a couple guns and "market rates" ever in a brief window in my career where I was finally paid pretty well. Everything else I basically stole, or got a deal on (even at the time).
At this point most of my collection in the category of; "Who knows what that's worth, it has to go to auction to find out". With kids I have been downsizing consistently, and the guns that stay are the unique things that can't be replaced.
If I had to guess, the biggest delta between what I paid, and what it would likely sell for today in a well advertised auction would be this thing:
If you peruse this for the factory documentation regarding all the modifications you will see why:
Update: 1920 Colt Factory Modified "Keith No. 5" for C.M. McCutcheon
Especially when you consider that this was the auction listing that I bought the gun based on:
**Colt Bisley Model Revolver | Cowan's Auction House: The Midwest's Most Trusted Auction House / Antiques / Fine Art / Art Appraisals
Yep, just the one picture, incorrect description, and a complete failure to note that it's what we know as a "Keith No. 5 ". They had misplaced the factory documentation, but Cowan's being a class act when they discovered it they went ahead and mailed it to me on their dime.
I paid a whole heck of a lot less than I thought I would have to, and had they sold the gun correctly there's zero chance I would own it. It's one of two guns I bought for what I consider "real money". The other one could absolutely be a contender for my "most appreciated". But, again. I would have no idea until I auctioned it:
This is Captain Bill Strong's:
hun slaying Springfield 1911:
That some jerk who owned it it after him scratched his name into:
I know what I paid for it, which was every penny I could scrape together for months, sold a bunch of guns, ate nothing but ramen. Ultimately it took every penny I had at the time, but I don't regret it at all.
How much has this appreciated, if at all?
At this point most of my collection in the category of; "Who knows what that's worth, it has to go to auction to find out". With kids I have been downsizing consistently, and the guns that stay are the unique things that can't be replaced.
If I had to guess, the biggest delta between what I paid, and what it would likely sell for today in a well advertised auction would be this thing:
If you peruse this for the factory documentation regarding all the modifications you will see why:
Update: 1920 Colt Factory Modified "Keith No. 5" for C.M. McCutcheon
Especially when you consider that this was the auction listing that I bought the gun based on:
**Colt Bisley Model Revolver | Cowan's Auction House: The Midwest's Most Trusted Auction House / Antiques / Fine Art / Art Appraisals
Yep, just the one picture, incorrect description, and a complete failure to note that it's what we know as a "Keith No. 5 ". They had misplaced the factory documentation, but Cowan's being a class act when they discovered it they went ahead and mailed it to me on their dime.
I paid a whole heck of a lot less than I thought I would have to, and had they sold the gun correctly there's zero chance I would own it. It's one of two guns I bought for what I consider "real money". The other one could absolutely be a contender for my "most appreciated". But, again. I would have no idea until I auctioned it:
This is Captain Bill Strong's:
hun slaying Springfield 1911:
That some jerk who owned it it after him scratched his name into:
I know what I paid for it, which was every penny I could scrape together for months, sold a bunch of guns, ate nothing but ramen. Ultimately it took every penny I had at the time, but I don't regret it at all.
How much has this appreciated, if at all?
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Rammer Jammer
Member
I would think my Belgium made .22 Browning take down auto loader qualifies in a decent appreciation thread.
Bought it new in 1961 list price was $55 dollars no sales tax. (a lot of money way back when) Being I did a lot of business with this dealer even at my tender age he sold it to me for $52.
I went out today to buy a new one like that one it would be considerably more- Also would do well if I wanted to sell it which I most certainly do not!
Bought it new in 1961 list price was $55 dollars no sales tax. (a lot of money way back when) Being I did a lot of business with this dealer even at my tender age he sold it to me for $52.
I went out today to buy a new one like that one it would be considerably more-
Also would do well if I wanted to sell it which I most certainly do not!Chubbs103
US Veteran
I bought a Marlin 1894 in .41 mag used. It is the straight stocked version. When I bought, it the pistol grip 1894FG was still available new. I think I paid $375. Wish I'd bought a couple of each. I never would have dreamed they would be selling for what they are now.
This is a really hard question to answer because I only ever bought a couple guns and "market rates" ever in a brief window in my career where I was finally paid pretty well. Everything else I basically stole, or got a deal on (even at the time).
At this point most of my collection in the category of; "Who knows what that's worth, it has to go to auction to find out". With kids I have been downsizing consistently, and the guns that stay are the unique things that can't be replaced.
If I had to guess, the biggest delta between what I paid, and what it would likely sell for today in a well advertised auction would be this thing:
If you peruse this for the factory documentation regarding all the modifications you will see why:
Update: 1920 Colt Factory Modified "Keith No. 5" for C.M. McCutcheon
Especially when you consider that this was the auction listing that I bought the gun based on:
**Colt Bisley Model Revolver | Cowan's Auction House: The Midwest's Most Trusted Auction House / Antiques / Fine Art / Art Appraisals
Yep, just the one picture, incorrect description, and a complete failure to note that it's what we know as a "Keith No. 5 ". They had misplaced the factory documentation, but Cowan's being a class act when they discovered it they went ahead and mailed it to me on their dime.
I paid a whole heck of a lot less than I thought I would have to, and had they sold the gun correctly there's zero chance I would own it. It's one of two guns I bought for what I consider "real money". The other one could absolutely be a contender for my "most appreciated". But, again. I would have no idea until I auctioned it:
This is Captain Bill Strong's:
hun slaying Springfield 1911:
That some jerk who owned it it after him scratched his name into:
I know what I paid for it, which was every penny I could scrape together for months, sold a bunch of guns, ate nothing but ramen. Ultimately it took every penny I had at the time, but I don't regret it at all.
How much has this appreciated, if at all?
Amazing. Thanks for posting the pics.
Probably this one - a Model of 1941 Johnson semiautomatic rifle. I have the "spike" bayonet for it also, complete with leather sheath.
John
(Click for larger image)
John
(Click for larger image)
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G Series FALs were $175 for a standard and $185 for a lightweight in the fall of 1962- they're about $12k-ish a pop these days with some bringing even more. I'm fortunate enough to have a few. I was born in '81 so while I paid considerably more than $185 for mine, I didn't pay nearly what they bring today.
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I have one other rifle that may be worth at least twice what I paid for it. It's an Arsenal SGL21-61 AK clone in 7.62x39. This rifle is based on a Saiga sporter with a Russian Izhmash stamped receiver, American furniture and magazine. You won't see any more Russian imports due to sanctions and other political factors. I bought this rifle for $800 in 2015.
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Probably either the J C Higgins 12 gauge pump my Dad won on a dime raffle ticket or the Shield 1.0 I won as a door prize. Among actual purchases I would have to say the .32 HE I bought for $35 in 1979.
I think it is a matter of how long people keep things.
I have owned more then half of my firearms that were purchased new for over two decades. Some over four decades.
Most of those can be sold today for over 10 times what I paid for them
I am not even including what has happened to my Pythons and my Boa. That is just a fluke of nature
Then there are the firearms of historical influence that obviously were purchased used. Once I authenticated the story and obtained documentation, some of those can be sold today for 20 or more times what I paid for them
Then we come to NFA Title II firearms. The Full Auto and Select Fire items increased 10 fold on May 18th 1986 when the Firearm Owners Protection Act curtailed the Civilian ownership of those firearms that were manufactured after that day. Why Ronnie Raygun signed that is beyond me. It did not protect single Firearms Owner
Now realize that "TODAY" I have no desire or need to sell any of them . . . so they will continue to appreciate
I have owned more then half of my firearms that were purchased new for over two decades. Some over four decades.
Most of those can be sold today for over 10 times what I paid for them
I am not even including what has happened to my Pythons and my Boa. That is just a fluke of nature
Then there are the firearms of historical influence that obviously were purchased used. Once I authenticated the story and obtained documentation, some of those can be sold today for 20 or more times what I paid for them
Then we come to NFA Title II firearms. The Full Auto and Select Fire items increased 10 fold on May 18th 1986 when the Firearm Owners Protection Act curtailed the Civilian ownership of those firearms that were manufactured after that day. Why Ronnie Raygun signed that is beyond me. It did not protect single Firearms Owner
Now realize that "TODAY" I have no desire or need to sell any of them . . . so they will continue to appreciate
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LVSteve
Member
I have a number of milsurp rifles that have appreciated considerably during their tenure in my safe. I was able to get them cheap due to the ignorance of auction houses and/or other collectors being asleep at the gunshow/computer when these items came up. In cash terms, the ones that have appreciated the most are probably my Mosin sniper, a mummy wrapped Enfield No.4 MK2, and an Enfield No.1 MKVI rebuilt as a No.4 MK1 early in WW2.
I also recently acquired a Mauser M48 wearing the crest of the Iraqi royal house. Allegedly, there are but a few (<50) in the US, but I would not be at all surprised to learn that we drove tanks over thousands of them after the 2003 invasion. Again, I got it cheap, and I wonder what the market value of such a curiosity might be.
I also recently acquired a Mauser M48 wearing the crest of the Iraqi royal house. Allegedly, there are but a few (<50) in the US, but I would not be at all surprised to learn that we drove tanks over thousands of them after the 2003 invasion. Again, I got it cheap, and I wonder what the market value of such a curiosity might be.
Most of my best appreciating firearm assets are because I aquired them cheap rather than age. The biggest is probably my Mauser 660 .243. It's the model 66 in Europe. I remember my dad buying it for about $300 in the early 80s. Today you don't see them sell often. When you do they can easily fetch $2500 and sometimes much more depending on barrels and options. My son shot his first deer and first bear with it. It's almost too pretty to take into the woods. There's no amount of money that would buy it.
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