To what criteria do collectors collect?

[ptdunk]

I'm a relative newbie here,
I've started a little classic pistol collection and I've found I'm most interested in pistols with an unconventional mechanism. I'm drawn to the recoiless pistols, mainly the last variant of the different types.
Also the quirky one-off multi shots like the Drulov DU10, the Record Champion and the Crosman 600.

My main criterea is they have to be in great condition and they have to be shot!

Matt.

[andrewM]

I have found it most interesting to read what others collect and the criteria employed. I asked these questions when starting the thread because I thought it might inspire my own activities and provide some new ideas.

Abasmajor and Garvin, along with others, have made the rather worrying point that collections tend to gather their own momentum and often stray from the original criteria, embracing new areas of interest. I am trying to resist this but warmed to Geezer's focus on what he termed the 'classic era' - 1960-1980, including German guns. Meanwhile, Airsporterman has remained rigidly disciplined, collecting only Airsporters - quite a task in itself, I suspect.

I agree with ptdunk and others that collected items must be shot but rather think that some collectors do not do so and are quite happy to have something that works and can be admired, perhaps in a rack or display cabinet - where some pistols are placed, with an impressive effect.

Abasmajor has made the fascinating point that often the accessories and paperwork associated with his pistols can be worth more than the pistols themselves - quite remarkable. I had heard that a pistol's worth rises if the original box exists. Probably, an invoice adds to the value, too, along with the instruction manual.

Probably, a gun's popularity amongst collectors quickly rises if production ceases. I feel no desire to collect HWs that are in production but I might seek out some of those currently in production were this to cease.

[harvey_s]

I have quite a few areas of interest, but the 2 largest groups are Webley pistols and 'Golden era' Crosmans.

Rifles are of far lesser interest and the whole box, accessory, period ephemera thing largely passes me by unless its sensibly priced or included with the gun a little or no extra cost.

I might add that all my 'collectables' come out from time to time otherwise I don't see where the pleasure of ownership comes in.
Likewise having having multiple examples of the same thing - by that I mean I can get collecting all the different variants of a model...just not multiple examples of exactly the same thing... Isn't that just hoarding?

[45flint]

I can relate to many of the collecting paths talked about. But I was reading a post by DT Flecther the other day which resinated with me and I think can be part of my criteria. He said this gun we were talking about tells part of a “story”. I think this can be a powerful enriching criteria. Gun aren’t produced in a vacuum, it’s people at one point in time adding their input into a story. In England Lincoln Jeffries rifles are a perfect example; bell ringing etc. My current find of a Crosman Town & Country Senior has a story. Made in 1949 first gun designed by Crosman mastermind Rudy Mertz, influenced by a Brigidier Army General Hinds. Post war influences are so evident and it was a failure, made just one year. Love the story.

[Abasmajor]

I have found it most interesting to read what others collect and the criteria employed. I asked these questions when starting the thread because I thought it might inspire my own activities and provide some new ideas.

Abasmajor and Garvin, along with others, have made the rather worrying point that collections tend to gather their own momentum and often stray from the original criteria, embracing new areas of interest. I am trying to resist this but warmed to Geezer's focus on what he termed the 'classic era' - 1960-1980, including German guns. Meanwhile, Airsporterman has remained rigidly disciplined, collecting only Airsporters - quite a task in itself, I suspect.

I agree with ptdunk and others that collected items must be shot but rather think that some collectors do not do so and are quite happy to have something that works and can be admired, perhaps in a rack or display cabinet - where some pistols are placed, with an impressive effect.

Abasmajor has made the fascinating point that often the accessories and paperwork associated with his pistols can be worth more than the pistols themselves - quite remarkable. I had heard that a pistol's worth rises if the original box exists. Probably, an invoice adds to the value, too, along with the instruction manual.

Probably, a gun's popularity amongst collectors quickly rises if production ceases. I feel no desire to collect HWs that are in production but I might seek out some of those currently in production were this to cease.

Hi Andrew,

Another limiting factor to be aware of is space, especially if like me you only reluctantly move on duplicates of models when a better example comes along.
Obviously, pistols take up less space and fortunately my interest in rifles is limited to only a few BSA and Webley models.

I would describe myself as an actively shooting collector in terms of using my air guns and often use this as an excuse not to move on duplicates as these can be shot more regularly without the fear of wear or damage to the more pristine examples.

Regards
Brian

[harvey_s]

I wonder how many guns are kept in boxes and cupboards across the UK having been bought as purely pristine examples of their type with no intention of letting them see the light of day let alone being fired...

Kind of reminds me of a boxed 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona, still boxed, taped shut and strapped to it's pallet - it was up for auction at £10K with days to go...Ironic thing is you wouldn't be able to even open the box to make sure it wasn't full of bricks without taking a huge slice out of the value What kind of person wants a really expensive box you cannot open

[I. J.]

Kind of reminds me of a boxed 1979 Yamaha RD400F Daytona, still boxed, taped shut and strapped to it's pallet - it was up for auction at £10K with days to go...Ironic thing is you wouldn't be able to even open the box to make sure it wasn't full of bricks without taking a huge slice out of the value What kind of person wants a really expensive box you cannot open

If the engine hasn't been turned over on a regular basis it may have stationary seized and probably the oil seals will be useless.

Back to the subject: I often buy better examples of a rifle I already have then try to sell on the lesser quality one. I say try!

[PaulR]

I started 10 years ago and bought an SMK XS20 purely to shoot rats on the property we had just moved into. It was (is) remarkably efficient at doing this and is still my ratter of choice.

After I while I thought about the Webley Junior I had in my youth (1960s). So I bought one. I liked it so I got a prewar tin grip one because I was intrigued - within a year or two I had a 1920s Mk1, two slant grip Mk1s, two Seniors and 2 Premiers - including a mint "A" series. Yes I had bought the famous book! Then I had to have a Tempest, Hurricane and Typhoon - all boxed. These had to have original scopes - so I bought those. Whilst I was on a roll I acquired a couple of Nemesis (Nemeses?) an Alecto and even the latest Typhoon (I know, I know). I had to get a boxed certificated version of the reincarnated Turkish Tempest. That was Webley done - all the pistols I wanted (still open to acquiring some target versions).

Did I stop there - yeah right. What about Webley rifles - now have two Service Mk2s, two Mk3s - one of them a target version, an Eclipse, Tracker, Vulcan, Mk1 Hawk with both barrels, a Junior and a Ranger.

I am beginning to bore myself but I discovered Crosman and have a 600, a 451, 2240, two 1377s and EB22. On the rifle side 2250b and XL.

I then moved on the BB blowback pistols and have about 15 of these as well as a CP1 and CP2.

My (very longwinded) point? From one simple practical purchase I rediscovered something I loved from my youth. I find something interesting in each one be it a classic or pot metal toy, all are used regularly and I enjoy every minute whilst I do so.

[Garvin]

My (very longwinded) point? From one simple practical purchase I rediscovered something I loved from my youth. I find something interesting in each one be it a classic or pot metal toy, all are used regularly and I enjoy every minute whilst I do so.

So maybe the fact that young people can still get their hands on airguns now (and a lot more 'interesting' CO2 ones than were available in my youth) means that in 30 years or so there will still be an urge to recreate that feeling of having a gun in your hands! Except that maybe by then only 'vintage' airguns will be available. But by then this might be pre-1980...

[JMH123]

Anything I coveted as a kid and couldn’t have. Any Scorpion pistol derivative I can’t resist. Anything late 80s.