Collectors Of The Future

[harry mac]

I can see it getting very confusing for future collectors, seeing as most of the spring rifles on the market today seem to be the same 3 or 4 Chinese or Turkish rifles, just re-badged by various different companies.
Anybody else noticed this?

[peddy]

Unfortunately I think we are the last generation of collectors. I look at how younger folk get rid of things way before they need to, theres no way they are going to hang on to airguns that mean nothing to them. I saw this coming a few years ago and was one reason why I sold my extensive collection and have stuck with modern guns apart from odd one.

[Benelli B76]

I can see it getting very confusing for future collectors, seeing as most of the spring rifles on the market today seem to be the same 3 or 4 Chinese or Turkish rifles, just re-badged by various different companies.
Anybody else noticed this?

I think we would be surprised what people will collect in future if they are allowed to have them. I have always said the Umarex Mini Uzi will be collectable because of its potential performance. Can you imagine if you told Daisy tinplate owners 70 years ago that their rifles and pistols will be collectors items.

Baz

[45flint]

Unfortunately I think we are the last generation of collectors. I look at how younger folk get rid of things way before they need to, theres no way they are going to hang on to airguns that mean nothing to them. I saw this coming a few years ago and was one reason why I sold my extensive collection and have stuck with modern guns apart from odd one.

I think you are correct, all my children are this way? My wife and I collect stuff, they get rid of stuff. I collect for my enjoyment, not overly concerned about the future beyond me. But I somehow believe if I find pleasure in these machines others will as well. As to the collectability of today’s guns, they won’t be the mass marketed Chinese, Taiwanese guns. But probably the more custom well made smaller shop pieces. DT Fletcher suggested that Mac-1 Sterioded rifles may be future collectables. I can believe that. Things with smaller numbers and high quality.

But if the future holds no value for my guns not sure I care, they are just a lot of enjoyment for me.

[AllanM]

[QUOTE=45flint;7527854

But if the future holds no value for my guns not sure I care, they are just a lot of enjoyment for me.[/QUOTE]

Well said, I couldn't agree more!

[fozzy45]

I've always said that eventually 'our' collectables will no longer be collectable.
As a rule collectors collect their childhood items. Our childhood items won't concern most of the youngsters nowadays unless you have brought your kids up enjoying what you enjoy. It does bring a question about selling whilet you can still get a good price for things, but like has been said, if they bring you enjoyment, keep them and let someone else worry about them.
Fozzy

[45flint]

I've always said that eventually 'our' collectables will no longer be collectable.
As a rule collectors collect their childhood items. Our childhood items won't concern most of the youngsters nowadays unless you have brought your kids up enjoying what you enjoy. It does bring a question about selling whilet you can still get a good price for things, but like has been said, if they bring you enjoyment, keep them and let someone else worry about them.
Fozzy

I never had any of my airguns when I was a kid. I had a cheap daisy. My interest springs from my firearms collecting and seeing the same qualities in vintage Airguns I can more easily enjoy.

[fozzy45]

I never had any of my airguns when I was a kid. I had a cheap daisy. My interest springs from my firearms collecting and seeing the same qualities in vintage Airguns I can more easily enjoy.

I said 'as a rule'.
I have a mk2 escort RS2000 1976. I had these cars in the 80s and at the moment they're collectable and expensive. Will the next generation appreciate these cars, I personally doubt it as they'll be onto subaru imprezzas which are their future classics.
Fozzy

[Garvin]

I saw this coming a few years ago and was one reason why I sold my extensive collection and have stuck with modern guns apart from odd one.

This is a very 'transactional' way of looking at collecting, isn't it? You only live once and by realising the value of your guns in your lifetime, you've sacrificed the pleasure of ownership while you're alive! The phrase cutting off your nose to spite your face springs to mind.

My generation probably seemed to have a rather 'disposable' plastics-based culture to my grandparents, who grew up in a 'make do and mend' age, but it didn't stop me appreciating blued steel and walnut. :-)

[Hsing-ee]

I said 'as a rule'.
I have a mk2 escort RS2000 1976. I had these cars in the 80s and at the moment they're collectable and expensive. Will the next generation appreciate these cars, I personally doubt it as they'll be onto subaru imprezzas which are their future classics.
Fozzy

If it is rare and awesome for the time then people will want a slice of that history! Thing with cars is that diesel and petrol cars will disappear over the next 30 years and so will the fuel infrastructure, so most ICE vehicles will get crushed. Unlike an airgun, a car takes up alot of space, and while I doubt you use your RS2000 as a daily drive, it probably does get used (I hope!) from time to time.. with no fuel it would be just a metal box sitting helpless in your garage.

[Muskett]

The early rifles will always find a collector's market. Maybe some of the prices might fall a tad with the fall in number of those collecting those rifles of a certain era. But new collectors will replace the old.
80's rifles are presently doing well with premium for mint examples holding strongly. This trend will keep going for a good while longer.

The market has increasingly got flooded with more and more models. The ones that will do well are those that are fab to start with. I think the future is in the pure quality. Rare but boring not so good there just being so many about. The odd excellent rifle now, will keep its price anyhow. The also rans but not something that has caught anyone's imagination much might not do well at all. Just too much stuff out there.

Rare stamps have value, until the market was flooded with 1stDay Covers and limited editions. Here they barely match their original cost if that. Just too many. Same with Star Wars figures, the fist hold value, the rest just over supply.

So my advice is buy exceptional pieces, the ones already recognised as being head and shoulders above the crowd. Condition counts,and quality always holds value. The reward is in the ownership for a while. Breaking even with a hobby is doing well.

[fozzy45]

If it is rare and awesome for the time then people will want a slice of that history! Thing with cars is that diesel and petrol cars will disappear over the next 30 years and so will the fuel infrastructure, so most ICE vehicles will get crushed. Unlike an airgun, a car takes up alot of space, and while I doubt you use your RS2000 as a daily drive, it probably does get used (I hope!) from time to time.. with no fuel it would be just a metal box sitting helpless in your garage.

You're probably right on that one mate, in the cars case, the fuel type could be the killer, and it does get used.
Fozzy

[Airsporterman]

Future for collecting airguns?
Nah, you haven't considered the 'Govmints' future intervention there, you will need an FAC licence for a peashooter.

ASM

[Jerry Cornelius]

I've always said that eventually 'our' collectables will no longer be collectable.
As a rule collectors collect their childhood items. Our childhood items won't concern most of the youngsters nowadays unless you have brought your kids up enjoying what you enjoy. It does bring a question about selling whilet you can still get a good price for things, but like has been said, if they bring you enjoyment, keep them and let someone else worry about them.
Fozzy

This is true, you see this in bikes where 60s bikes are maybe now not so popular but 80s sports bikes are definitely “classics” (and if I see a nice early Fireblade in the urban tiger paint job , I’m having it!)

But if you collect what you like or admire, who cares if there will be a market? It’ll only be my wife selling them after I’m gone (fill yer boots lads, cos she thinks I paid a lot less than I did )

[Benelli B76]

I've always said that eventually 'our' collectables will no longer be collectable.
As a rule collectors collect their childhood items. Our childhood items won't concern most of the youngsters nowadays unless you have brought your kids up enjoying what you enjoy. It does bring a question about selling whilet you can still get a good price for things, but like has been said, if they bring you enjoyment, keep them and let someone else worry about them.
Fozzy

Yes nostalgia can plays a big part in collecting. I still lust after my past 40 years ago, the Benelli B76, SIG P210-5, Smith and Wesson Model 39 and Browning Medallist. Would collect them if I was in the land of the free.

Baz