Interesting premise here…
There are a number of advantages to investing in collectible weapons that will appeal both to those who love weapons and those who keep an eye on their money. Indeed, this is a popular investment category for people who like something a little more durable than stocks, bonds and cryptocurrency. They can also provide protection during uncertain times.
Antique weapons in particular can be an attractive means of investing – after all, like land, they’re not making any more.
Excellent article from ammo.com, HERE.
I would add that folks also need to think about expanding their insurance riders to cover the value of said collectibles, and remember to update those riders periodically.
The other issue, and it is a sad one, is the number of ‘fakes’ out there. Everything from fake ‘Registered Smiths’, to fake ‘One of a Thousand’ Winchester 73s, to fake ‘Walker Colts’, ad infinitum. If it’s collectible, somebody is out there figuring out how to make fakes. There are a number of reputable auction houses who do their research and document the sale items, but there are also folks that prey on the gun show circuit, knowing they’ll never be back to a show.
So it really IS buyer beware, and check with the experts before you go off the deep end on that ‘too good to be true’ deal, because it probably is… Sigh.
I have a friend who’s invested wisely over the years, mostly in Smith revolvers. He keeps a list updated for his wife as to what to sell for how much when he dies.
The article is interesting but about a decade too late as far as prices go -even for Mosin-Nagants. Yes, there are still some pieces to be found at fair prices and they will appreciate in monetary value -Smith revolvers being a good example. I recently saw two Model 647’s in excellent condition; one round butt, one square butt. They were in the $1300-$1400 range and both were gone within days. Will they continue to appreciate? I expect so, but I would not expect them to bring the kind of return they just did for the original purchaser.
One cannot predict what kind of laws will be replaced if this election is allowed to be stolen as seems increasingly likely. Selling firearms to realize a profit might become impossible.
Right now better “investments” are food, training and comm gear.
The fraud problems are a reason to go with low to mid range collectible or limited guns instead of high end ones.
For example, I wish I had bought Nagant revolvers a decade ago for $89; they now sell for $300 plus. Mosin Nagant and Mas 49/56 rifles have made similar price moved. Some imported weapons have had even bigger price increases.
In my opinion, resale is easier and fraud less likely for a gun costing several hundred to $1,000 than it is for a gun costing several thousand.
And hopefully when you are ready to retire you won’t be informed by the government that the buy-back program for your guns qualifies you for a $50 Target gift card for each gun that you own.
Which is looking increasingly likely
Hey Old NFO;
Interesting article, In some ways we we missed out on the collectibles in the 90’s but with the drama going on now, any old rifle that is functional and you can get ammo for is worth money and probably worth more than you initially paid for it. However “Heresolong” comment is disconcerting because it means that we as a society has rolled over without firing a shot and are “licking the hands of our master” at this point.
What is the old joke? “If I die I hope my wife won’t sell my guns for what I told her I spent”.
Boat- Can’t disagree… sigh
Jon- Yep, friend of mine has EVERY model of the Webly ever produced, but he started collecting them back in the 60s… sigh
Hereso/Boat- Probably… dammit!
Bob- Good point!
WSF- LOL, oh hell yes!
Guns are like any investment, very fluid in value. And sometimes nothing makes sense. Angus McThag was muttering about how there’s a collector’s/user’s run on Lorcin .25ACPs, possibly the worst gun in a maligned (some for good reason) caliber.
As usual, what is up now in price will, if you all have my luck, be fallen significantly when it comes time to cash in. If you’re allowed to.
Then again, as long as you have the corresponding stash of ammo and parts for your investment guns, at least they’ll serve as something useful if the nation goes to pot.
You DO have ammo and basic pieces-parts for each gun, right? Otherwise it’s just a sculpture in metal, wood and plastic that few will want.
I have to say that I am reluctant to have my insurance company know the contents of my gun-safe … the quantity, the value, or the specific items. I don’t think it’s paranoid, at this point, to assume that information would, ultimately, be used against me. Even if it were “merely” to cancel my insurance.
I recall having a conversation with somebody who was “investing” in Beanie Babies.
My arguments were not my own. I stole them from somebody else.
The main point is that for something to be “collectible” it had to be fabricated from materials that withstood time. You don’t see too many vintage ice sculptures being auctioned off for thousands of dollars, do you.
Sadly, for that person, the issue was spot-on. Poorly sewn, cheap fabric is not something that ages well.
Later, I had a co-worker who had an entire collection of every Disney released animated film. Little did I know that there were a dozen variants of Snow White (for instance). They were on VHS tape. She was SURE they would be worth millions of dollars in a decade. She was impervious to the logic that VHS mag tape is not a medium that is treated gently by time.
She, too, lost her hindmost on “collectibles”.
Whatever else you say about firearms, there are thousands and thousands of examples of +100 year specimens that can still spit lead and put meat on the table.
Beans- Yes I do. 🙂 Mine aren’t ‘collectables’ in my mind…
Uncle K- Mine is just a ‘value’ no specifics on my rider.
ERJ- Excellent point!
I was at a show once and saw an M1 Carbine that was pristine.
Paratroop model.
I figured that at that price it had to be a knock off.
Stupid me.
At that price, I should have bought it anyway.
Ed- That happens… I missed a Fitz Special the same way.
There are a few bolt-action rifles, in European calibers, still relatively cheap.
The story is a bit different with pistols, though. Police and military trade-ins and surplus happen fairly often.
Anyone who is interested should check out one of the reputable firearms vendors online, such as Classic Firearms and AIM Surplus; there are others. Check their inventory often, and if they get a shipment in, BUY IMMEDIATELY. That’s the only way you’ll be able to get sub-$500 pistols in the open market.
I have more of a “bunker mentality” I admit. I don’t see “investments” in the same way that most people do. I see these items (gold, silver, and other ‘tools’) as a last ditch go-to materiel, not to be touched or traded, but to be “forgotten” until a day arrives when they will be my sole means of surviving. When life gets spicy (which it looks like might happen soon), only then will I dig into that stash.
Pat- Good point.
Bill- You’re not the only one that looks at things that way…Trust me…