Prices up on Milsurp and down on antiques and Western C&R?

[familyfarm]

I have been focused on collecting milsurp rifles the last few years and don't think anyone will argue that prices have risen appreciably for good quality Garands, carbines and even K98s. This has been discussed here quite a bit

I have been trying to learn about some older genres such as early flintlocks and muskets and I hear collectors talking about those prices stagnating or even dropping over the past 5 years. Have you guys seen that? I see very few postings on CG about older antiques in general.

I am also curious about Western guns such as late 1800's Springfields and Winchesters and lever guns. What is the trend? I have never paid attention yet am now interested in collecting these. Looking for guidance on where the market price is going as I educate myself on these firearms. Would love to learn from the experience of other crufflers before I dive in. Thanks for any observations

[Woodymyster]

Winchesters and Colts (pre 1900) have always gained in value over the past decades. However, the generation of "cowboy" arms are dying off, and this has changed the value of these guns. The younger collector generation did not grow up to Buck Rodgers or all the westerns, and have little emotion invested in that era. So prices have been going down.

I have this discussion with older collectors a lot. They feel the newer generation has no collector base, but that is not true. The younger guys just prefer WW2 centric guns and the volume of knowledge and ownership of those weapons proves the point. Ask any under 45 year old what the difference is of a Winchester 73 vs 76 and they will have no idea what you speak of. Ask the same person which rifle the US used in WW2 and most will answer correctly if they are in to guns or not.

Now if you are getting into older guns, you need to be careful as it is easy to get burned. I would recommend you focus on condition and know what you are buying.

[Dynamic]

I have noticed the same. Luckily for me im in my late 20s and really into old winchesters , black powders and cowboys guns so i have been getting good deals

[Croweman08]

I'm only 37 and have been collecting early winchesters for a few years now. Prices have somewhat flatlined. Even some of the high dollar guns at RIA auctions have gone for less then originally expected. But i will say this......You can never go wrong on buying a pre 64 winchester.

Woodymyster: i'm the exact opposite...i know the difference between a 73 and a 76, know next to nothing about WW2 guns.....

[Woodymyster]

Woodymyster: i'm the exact opposite...i know the difference between a 73 and a 76, know next to nothing about WW2 guns.....

Good to hear

For those of you who are into antiques, I recommend attending the Antique firearm show in Vegas this January. Prices are high, but everyone barters prices. Nothing like the crossroads shows.

http://www.antiquearmsshow.com

[I Swan]

I dislike that show everyone knows exactly what they have I have been and walked out with 0. Very hard to impossible to get a deal.

I've had people attack me for stating what the OP did. I've seen it with my own eyes and been told the same by people that have been in the industry for decades.

Some guns always hold their value or are desirable but I have seen the writing on the wall for some.

I think the people attacking me are older folks that have a lot invested in Civil War guns and other antiques that are experiencing a softening in the market and are butthurt and don't want to admit it.

I am not immune either I own a lot of revolvers and military surplus guns from 20th century I am uncertain how they will fare in value when I decide to sell off a lot of them in about 15-20 years.

I have a feeling a lot of the younger collectors will not be interested in some which has prompted me to dump certain pieces already if I feel I can get a good price for them.

[Bainter1212]

I have noticed that muzzleloaders specifically don't have the resale value that other guns enjoy.
The last two generations (me included) have been spoiled by the wide availability of "cool" guns, like ARs and AKs, and we have been exposed to virtually none of the cowboy and western themed entertainment that our fathers and grandfathers were.
I have recently fallen in love with flintlocks and have acquired several at what you might call a "steal" of a price. Seems like nobody else wants them.

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[pitfighter]

Colt SAAs and Winchesters were certainly once the mainstay, the blue chip investment in firearms.
They are not anymore.

This is absolutely what I have experienced.

Try telling a collector of Paterson Colt's this though - lol.