Collector Prices
 

While it is natural to desire to know the market value of your individual piece or collection,I for one feel that today's prices are a detriment to the collecting of classic and antique guns and preclude young persons from entering the hobby.It is a shame, and was not always so, and for anyone who subscribes to the Gun Report Magazine, check the current June issue for a forum discussion of the issue.One of the three letters used to initiate the discussion was written by me as it is an aspect of collecting which has long bothered me and led to the disposal of my Civil War revolver collection.Anyway,just wanted to mention this as I feel it needs to be brought out into the open.

Re: Collector Prices
 

I agree that $1000+ dollars is a lot of money for a youngster to lay down for a pistol that won't ever be fired. There really aren't enough Lugers around for every gun collector to have at least one in their collection (but I think maybe that is what is happening). Think of all the Lugers that are out there in the 'woodwork' and not in the serious Luger collectors hands. We are the folks who keep raising the bar on price because we all seek 'matching, minty and rare'. Just MTCW.

Prices
 

I think that $33,000 for a new pickup is ridicious, but if you want one, that is the price. That $1000 Luger will hold its value and ten years from now be worth at least the $1000, where that new pickup won't even be worth half it's original value. I do not think that the price of Lugers in the only factor keeping young collectors from collecting, but there is the "peer pressure" thing, that "guns are bad", and it's not what the "in crowd" is doing or approving at this time. Also, there just isn't that much interest from the younger generation on WWI or WWII history. We collectors and shooters are a unique breed of cat!

Re: Prices
 

Bill,


You are correct about the value of automobiles dropping. The prices we pay for nice Lugers today do seen to be on the high side, but I remember 30 years ago when a nice common Luger could be purchased for $125 +-, and today, this same pistol is selling in the $1000 range. Then, I could not afford the $125, today, I am able tobuy some of these pistols in the $1000 range and a couple of times a year I can make a big purchase of a couple of thousand dollar pistol. The prices seem to be climbing and my collection needs are now the expensive Lugers. Therefore, I can only afford to buy a couple per year.


I buy handguns for one reason, I like them and want to have them. A close sendary feature of this hobby is that they do increase in value and when I do sell my collection, I hope to make a little profit, but that is not my prime consideration, it will be to get my money back out of them at sale time. I feel the enjoyment and honor to own these historic pistols is the fun of my hobby.


Marvin

Re: Prices
 

A little scarey to think the Government could place an out right ban on guns of all kinds! If that ever happened I dont think they would be worth much as the market would be flooded with them, and the government would probably take them all. If that ever happened, I dont think many in the West would give them up easy. But you know what the Gov't history is with confiscated guns, the Klintonistas "types" destroy them. That is the worsed think imaginable to me. Where else in the world would they go? A lot of money would go up in smoke! Scarey to think! Vote against these types #$%#@s. ~Thor~ (PS-I sure hope prices continue to remain or rise, I have a fair amount in them too)

Re: Prices
 

Whereas most cheaper guns were destroyed after they were handed in in Britain, more expensive guns were locked away by the police and their owners are still waiting to receive the compensation that they were promised. So - just in case - (and you can never trust any government) it might be wise to keep hold of some kind of proof of the value of your guns - or even insure them for what you think they are worth. At least you would then have some proof when you have to claim compensation. This does sound pesimistic - my apologies. Patrick

Re: Prices
 

Hi Folks,


It's always wise to have insurance on your firearms. Contrary to what some folks will tell you, not all thieves are in government service


Though I think it was Mark Twain who summed it up something like this, "Congress is the only uniquely American criminal class." I think he also said something to the effect of, "No man's freedoms or chattels are safe when congress is in session." And yes, I've always enjoyed Sam Clemmings...


Best regards,


Kyrie

Re: Prices
 

You better hope to heck you have someone to leave your collection too tah will enjoy and take care of it. The way prices are going very few people will collect and it is not just because they are not historians. There are two many families now were both are working and just getting by. My retirement checks no longer allow me to buy many new items. I have to decide what I need to sell if I want something else. I wonder who could afford Ralph's collection if he ever decided to sell.

Who could afford Ralph's collection?
 

Several names come to mind:


Bill Gates, Ted Turner, Alec Baldwin, just to name a few (trying not to LOL).


the real answer would be a few thousand guys with a few thousand dollars in the bank, and a couple of fortunate guys with hundreds to millions in the bank...


The younger generations won't stand much of a chance...


-John

Excellent summary of why I collect guns too Marvin! (EOM)