The gun market is stuck

Edward Tinker · 01-13-2019, 01:30 AM

I have to admit that over the years I have bought and sold a lot of items, and my main discovery is that if its been a few years, I can always make some money. Perhaps not a profit and I might lose money, but I bring some in.
If you ever watch antique roadshow re-runs, they'll show the value they guessed in 1998 and todays value. What is amazing is how often things have gone down from that time. That said, as a collecting field (whatever, clocks, watches, guns, paintings) there was a HUGE hit and prices went stagnant in the last 10 years. Rare stuff and minty stuff has always held value, but average items have had really odd valuations.

I don't belong to the 'all the old collectors are dying off and we're screwed cuz the new folks buy glocks' mindset, as I simply think new collectors come along who are interested in what we like. As an example, the doom and gloom over Colt Single Actions happened when I was a kid, and the end of collecting them hasn't happened. But a close friend has antique clocks and another other collectibles and its harder to sell than it used to be. Folks blame the internet, and its true, lots of items out there, and easier to find and compare.

BUT, I have noticed its a pain to sell a collection quick if you want to.

Although 'pretty' guns still sell to the idiots. Pretty meaning fakes, reblued, made nice, two matching magazines. I like nice guns, but give me a slightly aged gun any day over one that is obviously too new!

No simple answers in collecting.

01-13-2019, 01:30 AM	#11
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,609 Times in 2,123 Posts	I have to admit that over the years I have bought and sold a lot of items, and my main discovery is that if its been a few years, I can always make some money. Perhaps not a profit and I might lose money, but I bring some in. If you ever watch antique roadshow re-runs, they'll show the value they guessed in 1998 and todays value. What is amazing is how often things have gone down from that time. That said, as a collecting field (whatever, clocks, watches, guns, paintings) there was a HUGE hit and prices went stagnant in the last 10 years. Rare stuff and minty stuff has always held value, but average items have had really odd valuations. I don't belong to the 'all the old collectors are dying off and we're screwed cuz the new folks buy glocks' mindset, as I simply think new collectors come along who are interested in what we like. As an example, the doom and gloom over Colt Single Actions happened when I was a kid, and the end of collecting them hasn't happened. But a close friend has antique clocks and another other collectibles and its harder to sell than it used to be. Folks blame the internet, and its true, lots of items out there, and easier to find and compare. BUT, I have noticed its a pain to sell a collection quick if you want to. Although 'pretty' guns still sell to the idiots. Pretty meaning fakes, reblued, made nice, two matching magazines. I like nice guns, but give me a slightly aged gun any day over one that is obviously too new! No simple answers in collecting.