Size of Collectors' Market in the UK

[CHJF177]

Am I the youngest person in this sub-forum?
33 and a 1/4

You could well be young man!
Seriously though. Are there any who are younger out there and prepared to confess.
But only on here where you will be properly understood!

Chris.

[slug-gun]

I think that airgun collecting as a hobby, and the number of participants within it, will shrink over time, due simply to the demographics involved. In the 1950's/60's every kid had an airgun, and shot it anywhere he fancied. He started with a cheap Diana and sometimes eventually managed to get a BSA or Webley.

When he grew up, he aspired to own the air guns he either couldn't afford or wasn't allowed when he was younger. and suddenly he found himself with a few old airguns and became a collector! And his collection grew, and he shared his passion with other blokes of his age, he joined clubs, and more fellas bought old airguns.

None of that happens any more. Far fewer youngsters buy airguns, a) because they have so many other interests, mainly computer based, b) shooting them is more restricted, and c) society disapproves more than ever. However some of these lads (or lasses) may well start collecting, but it will be those airguns they remember from their youth.

Ergo, will a 25 year old today be interested in a 'long-tom' BSA's, when he has been brought up with electronic Daystates with on board chronographs? A few might of course, but not in the numbers that hitherto have collected these things.
As such the hobby may well decline as we all get older, sell our collections, and die! A bit brutal but it's gonna happen!

Values will decline, or at best stabilise, for all but the very finest and rarest of airguns, for which there will always be a healthy demand, as there is for the best of anything. We can see evidence of this already - the very worth Webley Mk.3, can be bought in excellent condition for £150 to £200 - much the same sort of money as dealers were asking in the 1980's!

And to cap it all, there is impending legislation, which will inevitably curtail interest from the aforementioned young people.

I do hope I am wrong, but these scenarios applies to other collecting hobbies as well - eg model cars and trains from pre and post war. Values/interest is down due to fewer people being interested in acquiring for example old Hornby locomotives?

[Garvin]

I think that airgun collecting as a hobby, and the number of participants within it, will shrink over time, due simply to the demographics involved. In the 1950's/60's every kid had an airgun, and shot it anywhere he fancied. He started with a cheap Diana and sometimes eventually managed to get a BSA or Webley.

When he grew up, he aspired to own the air guns he either couldn't afford or wasn't allowed when he was younger. and suddenly he found himself with a few old airguns and became a collector! And his collection grew, and he shared his passion with other blokes of his age, he joined clubs, and more fellas bought old airguns.

None of that happens any more. Far fewer youngsters buy airguns, a) because they have so many other interests, mainly computer based, b) shooting them is more restricted, and c) society disapproves more than ever. However some of these lads (or lasses) may well start collecting, but it will be those airguns they remember from their youth....

I don't dispute any of what you say, Chris. Especially when it comes to production guns made in large quantities and that nostalgia-for-youth factor.

But I would just point to the 'known unknown', which is the thing that hasn't been invented yet.

Maybe there will be a cultural backlash against all things plastic and modern, driving up the value of wood and steel? Maybe future laws against airguns will be directed against modern ones, excluding those made before 1970, instead of 1939 at present?

30 years ago one could have made the same observation you make, but not knowing that the internet would come along and give airgun collectors and the (at least, rare) collectables market a major shot in the arm...

[slug-gun]

I don't dispute any of what you say, Chris. Especially when it comes to production guns made in large quantities and that nostalgia-for-youth factor.

But I would just point to the 'known unknown', which is the thing that hasn't been invented yet.

Maybe there will be a cultural backlash against all things plastic and modern, driving up the value of wood and steel? Maybe future laws against airguns will be directed against modern ones, excluding those made before 1970, instead of 1939 at present?

30 years ago one could have made the same observation you make, but not knowing that the internet would come along and give airgun collectors and the (at least, rare) collectables market a major shot in the arm...

Good points Danny, and I certainly hope you're right, as it would be a great shame if all that walnut and fine blued steel were not to be appreciated by future generations. Indeed the 'backlash' you refer to has already started in many areas, and as you suggest, this phenomenon could well accelerate and 'save the day'?

Re the internet, ironically its advent has actually caused the depreciation of some more common items. Previously one could only collect what was advertised in the local paper or magazines. Come the 'net suddenly all the more common guns were being advertised widely, and were available in their droves, with the inevitable reduction in desirability of these more mainstream and common items.

Of course the rarer items have become ever more appreciated as the awareness of said rarity becomes more widespread.

[45flint]

I don't dispute any of what you say, Chris. Especially when it comes to production guns made in large quantities and that nostalgia-for-youth factor.

But I would just point to the 'known unknown', which is the thing that hasn't been invented yet.

Maybe there will be a cultural backlash against all things plastic and modern, driving up the value of wood and steel? Maybe future laws against airguns will be directed against modern ones, excluding those made before 1970, instead of 1939 at present?

30 years ago one could have made the same observation you make, but not knowing that the internet would come along and give airgun collectors and the (at least, rare) collectables market a major shot in the arm...

Isn’t it similar to why people still collect mechanical watches? All of what people wear about their wrists today is digital. There is something that draws people to mechanical precision, especially when it’s crafted in a way not really possible today? Shooting sports are part of our history and nature, really doubt that’s going to change.

As a outsider, your X factor to me is political, there is a “limited” free market which could get worse. That to me would be the greatest risk. Collecting is a hobby for fun and enjoyment. Increase the hassles and fewer will find it enjoyable?

Ironically the above part of the reason in the last two years, I’ve sold most of my firearms and started collecting airguns.
In US it a bit of a pain to transact and ship firearms. Airguns are not regulated so it’s all the joy of collecting with no hassles.