Will antique guns become less desirable

[hogpatrol]

Here we go blaming the youngsters again , ever think maybe they can make up their own minds ? Miserable old men are only interesting to other miserable old men . I often wonder if it's guilt brought on by poor parenting that makes grown men despise younger men,even their own children ? I turn 60 next month,my oldest Son turns 33 tomorrow...I feel very fortunate to call him a friend . His younger brother and myself have shot together since he could hold a gun safely, oldest son just started shooting 3 months ago . He shot when he was younger but took a 20 year break,nothing wrong with being your own person .

PS... Not more than one hour ago my son sold a Garand and a Mauser at twice the price he could have just 1 year ago . He was just telling me the buyer was a nice older gentleman that really knew his milsurp, and was nice enough to pass some knowledge along because my son showed a genuine interest in learning more about what he was selling and collecting...maybe we need more conversations like that ?

I'm glad for you but you're a minority. Just check out hunting license sales over the last thirty to forty years. Where I hunt, three states, they are half of the peak back in the 90's.

 

[Dave Berg]

Guns like the high end Winchester Model 70's, Model 12's and Model 42's that were once considered highly collectable have dropped significantly in value. The old guys like me that grew up with a cheap model but always wanted a Special Field or high grade featherweight are a vanishing breed. I sold off all but three of my Winchesters and was lucky to get half what I had invested in them.

If I was looking to start a gun collection today I have no idea where I would start. I don't think there's any such thing as a Kusmit engraved Rock River LAR-15 matching set.

 

[ngoforth]

I will with a sad heart but a sound mind unburden you from all your undesirable pre-64 Winchester’s.

Pre 64 winchesters are one of the items that comes up as having collectibility. So the premium they command is it worth it to just collect them or is it to make money off of them? I think those may be one of the things that when the older generation goes the interest in the pre 64 will go as well.

 

[1K6BRA]

Ngoforth, I would have to agree with you very sadly that once the older generation goes they will probably be nothing more than an oddity. Most of the younger generation say 40 and under have not much appreciation for fine craftsmanship and the Winchester heritage as we know it.I am sure there will be some exceptions. There’s a good chance that Winchester will become a bad word by the cancel culture. I know the heiress to the Winchester fortune went mad because of her perception of what her father’s inventions caused to some people. Myself I believe that all guns should be used for their intention such as hunting target
shooting etc. I regularly hunt with a Pre64 Winchester model 70 in 250-3000 and truly enjoy every second of it. I do not look at making money on things such as this. I will use this rifle until I can’t hunt anymore and what happens to it after that will be of no concern to me anymore.

 

[Daddymac]

Ever watch american pickers? If they try to buy from the person that actually did the collecting, the guy won't sell or the price is outrageous, if the collector is dead and the kids are selling, usually bargain basement. Collection of anything is generational and based largely in nostalgia, if it means something to you it holds more value, actual or perceived, there is no difference for guns.

Who on here would love to have John C. Garand's presonal M1, or one your father or grand father carried, every damn one of us, because we are gun guys, we know the M1 and our fathers and grand fathers helped save the world, it has meaning to us. What about in another 100 years? Who will it have meaning for then? How long will it take for it to become just another old gun?

 

[hogpatrol]

Back after WW2, the U.S. was flooded with old military rifles, Mausers, Springfields, Enfields, Carcanos, Arisakas, M1 Garands and carbines. I remember seeing them on the ranges and in the woods. Rarely do I see them now. I wonder how many millions of these rifles are sitting in safes and gun cabinets just collecting dust.

 

[ScottVA]

It's generational. always has been and always will be. It's what scared me away from the muscle car. Guys my age are trying to sell the old muscle cars that you have to pay outrageous amounts to own. And the market who would be interested in it to sell back to is getting smaller and smaller. Retirement income is always lower than when we worked, and overtime added to our earnings. Take a look at what the younger generation drives...Hondas sitting on all fours sounding like a bumble bee. As I showed a young guy a 69 Chevelle SS that was pristine in every way...he asked, "What is it?"... and one poster stated, we all love the Garand..undefeated in battle and a part of the reason why we don't speak another language. But totally uninteresting to younger people. Generational for the most part

 

[Rick300]

It's generational. always has been and always will be. It's what scared me away from the muscle car. Guys my age are trying to sell the old muscle cars that you have to pay outrageous amounts to own. And the market who would be interested in it to sell back to is getting smaller and smaller. Retirement income is always lower than when we worked, and overtime added to our earnings. Take a look at what the younger generation drives...Hondas sitting on all fours sounding like a bumble bee. As I showed a young guy a 69 Chevelle SS that was pristine in every way...he asked, "What is it?"... and one poster stated, we all love the Garand..undefeated in battle and a part of the reason why we don't speak another language. But totally uninteresting to younger people. Generational for the most part

Tell me about it. I sold my 1969 Z28 last year. Luckily I found another old guy that was still buying, the younger kids either didn't have the money or just didn't "get it". I still got way less than I could have just a couple of years before. I don't think we've ever seen anything like this new generation. They could care less about "things", they want "experiences". What used to be passed down from generation to generation has for the most part come to an end. They don't want anything to do with "old crap" and will gladly get rid of it for junk. It's sad they have no historical values. One of my most prized guns is the 44-40 lever action that my great uncle's father brought with him on the wagon train to California. I wish that rifle could talk! Who knows what's going to happen to it.

 

[ebb]

Does this mean that if I live long enough I will be able to afford that 1969 Z28 Camaro that I saw at Barrett-Jackson with the L88 and the 4 speed? Man that sucker will look good on me.

 

[Texas10]

The world is indeed a different place than it was half a century ago. Boomers grew up going outdoors doing things like hunting, fishing, building hot rods, flying, car racing.

In today's world, kids are satisfied by simply staring at a computer and watching other people do things outdoors. Doesn't cost much and there's no risk of failure when living your life vicariously through others. Kinda like the move The Matrix. Some are satisfied with a blue pill, others prefer red.

 

[Evan]

I have zero interest in the 60s muscle cars. I think they are viewed through seriously rose-tinted nostalgic glasses by a specific generation that grew up with them. For me it's the early-mid 50s. Peak Americana. I've got a 53 Chevy. If I am ever rich enough to collect cars, I'd go straight to the pre-war cars: Bugatti, Stutz, Bentley, Mercer, Pierce, Packard, Auburn. That's a really interesting time for the automobile, I think. Once boomers are gone, the 60s and 70s muscle car market will be gone too.

 

[Bugs]

It all depends on what you're into and whether you're buying or selling. I left a few pythons go about 20 odd years ago that I wish now I had held onto. On the other hand, I've recently bought nice (really nice) double shotguns for what I consider to be pennies on the dollar.

 

[msinc]

I have a pretty decent collection of Winchesters, Colts, and American side by sides. Had quite a few military guns {still have a few} at one time. I still buy and sell a few guns now and then.
What I see is that they are out there and I wish I was seeing this big price drop everyone is talking about. I've been at this for a while and the nice collector type guns I have are still costing more than I have ever paid in the past.
The occasional "good deal" still comes along every now and then...a few weeks back I traded an Ar-15 upper and lower receivers for a West German Weatherby custom shop {engraved and with a brake} that is unfired. I have to admit, I really have no use for a teeth rattling magnum "Liberace" {as Dusty would say!!!} rifle, but the receivers didn't cost me $200 for the pair. Couldn't pass that one up, need/want or not.

 

[Downhill]

Butch, if by "smoke pole" you mean a Kentucky Long Rifle, hell yeah I'm in. Love the wood on those things. And the whole flintlock lock time bewilders me. Fun to shoot and looks to be an interesting area of collection. But a shotgun over $500 is a hard no.

 

[Tim a]

i've been lucky my mentor has done a great job guiding me teaching me and my father doesn't hold me back he knows that i will do a mountain of research before i try or buy something. one thing missing is guidance from the older generation to guide the new generation taking them hunting fishing hiking show them that you can do a great many things. I'll probably never hunt with my grandfather but one of my greatest memory's is a fishing trip. I will inherit a good amount of guns to include a Springfield armory M1 garand that my great grandfather carried in WW2.

 

[JJMoody]

I'm glad for you but you're a minority. Just check out hunting license sales over the last thirty to forty years. Where I hunt, three states, they are half of the peak back in the 90's.

‘Cause they all ended up in Idaho....

 

[jackieschmidt]

I have never been into collecting, I spend my money on what I enjoy.

I have a really nice custom ‘67 Malibu. I bought it out of a guys back yard back in 1992. I lost count long ago how much I have spent on it through the years. I kinda joke that I am on a quest to spend $300,000 to have a $30,000 car.

It is nothing but a toy to me. It has no “collector value”, as it was not a SS, nor does it possess any other pedigree. About the only thing original on it is the windshield wiper motor.

The. engine is a 540. Everything else about the car is there to support the power this thing makes. It’s a nice Hot Rod. It’s loud, hot, and when you push the pedal down, you better be hanging on.

The bottom has fell out of the “muscle car” market. Only the most desirable cars still demand the big money that things brought 10 years ago at auctions. And even then you have have to find two guys with enough beer in them to get ito a bidding war.

I blame most of this on those that can tell you the price of everything but do not recognize the value of anything.

 

[Straightshooter1]

At 73, I've become an antique and obviously am less desirable . . . just ask any employer. . .

or any young lady.

 

[ebb]

Evan I learned to drive in a 1954 two tone blue Chevy, with mohair seats. Is that the right word and spelling? Inline 6, 3 speed on the column. But in my opinion a 51 coupe is way nicer car. I drive a 89 caprice.

 

[hogpatrol]

The world is indeed a different place than it was half a century ago. Boomers grew up going outdoors doing things like hunting, fishing, building hot rods, flying, car racing.

In today's world, kids are satisfied by simply staring at a computer and watching other people do things outdoors. Doesn't cost much and there's no risk of failure when living your life vicariously through others. Kinda like the move The Matrix. Some are satisfied with a blue pill, others prefer red.

They're not watching a physical sport. They're watching others play video games. With old line pro sports on the downhill side, this is the future.