Holts Auction - Norfolk Today (25-3-2024)

[Garvin]

Indeed some absurdly low prices, but one or two very high ones; eg the Theoben SLR88. Not that long ago they were a £500 rifle tops. Also prices were strong for the rare and mint items seemingly currently in demand, witness the amount paid for the boxed BSA Stutzen or Air Arms Pro Elite? A really excellent pre war Standard also fetched good money. Guns from the 1980's/90's are selling for greater amounts than ostensibly more desirable items from an earlier period, perhaps being bought by collectors who remember them from their youth and therefore can more readily identify with them?

So the low prices I think are a combination of certain guns being unfashionable at the moment, perhaps combined also with their condition not being first rate? There is money for the exceptional, though having said that the gallery guns did seem to be real bargain basement.

An over riding factor dominating prices is the current so called 'cost of living crisis', which may be causing people to reign in their spending even if they have ready cash? I can afford this but do I really need it, when costs are rising all over the place?

The vintage air gun market is by no means an isolated example. The classic car market is also suffering currently, and for anyone who wants an old MGB/Austin Healey/ even E type Jags, they are all becoming cheaper to buy.
And the more prosaic classics are almost being given away. Same mindset seems to apply here as it does to airguns?

It's what you've always said, Chris. Top quality rare guns retain their value, the rest go up and down. Although who would have thought the gallery guns market would tank like this?

[Muskett]

A Porch 912 GT3? have dropped £100,000. But then they were holding a £60K premium over list.

There is a load of adjustments in markets going on when borrowing isn't free any longer. Taxes are sky high too.
What happens when the government has the economy on hold for a health crisis. And borrows too much anyhow. Don't look at the opposition either as they hadn't the answers either.

[Garvin]

Does anyone recognise this extraordinary repeater? Sold for £380.

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....e-1980s-1990s/

[Garvin]

I was just looking at the Don Robinson stock on the AA Shamal and thinking it's not too bad, what a lovely chunk of walnut. Then I spotted the floral carving... He just couldn't resist.

[Rikard]

I was just looking at the Don Robinson stock on the AA Shamal and thinking it's not too bad, what a lovely chunk of walnut. Then I spotted the floral carving... He just couldn't resist.

The actual stock is an Airmasters FTXS but with what looks like flourishes and stock embellishments maybe Don Robinson did those

[keith66]

Does anyone recognise this extraordinary repeater? Sold for £380.

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery....e-1980s-1990s/

Yes, I first saw that in Terry Robb's shop about ten years ago, he showed it to me. It was beautifully made obviously by a very skilled man. No identifying name or anything on it as to who made it. Terry suspected it was a homemade special & i agree. I tried to buy it at the time & offered £400 but he wouldnt sell.
It was sold a few years later to one of our members the late Pete Basham, Pete pestered Terry for months & eventually managed to buy it.
Pete passed away last year & his collection went to Holts for disposal. Quite a few of his air rifles & pistols were in the last auction & this one.
I recognised a few. It was a sizeable collection & it doesnt take many that big to come onto the market to perhaps push the prices down a bit!

[Garvin]

Yes, I first saw that in Terry Robb's shop about ten years ago, he showed it to me. It was beautifully made obviously by a very skilled man. No identifying name or anything on it as to who made it. Terry suspected it was a homemade special & i agree. I tried to buy it at the time & offered £400 but he wouldnt sell.
It was sold a few years later to one of our members the late Pete Basham, Pete pestered Terry for months & eventually managed to buy it.
Pete passed away last year & his collection went to Holts for disposal. Quite a few of his air rifles & pistols were in the last auction & this one.
I recognised a few. It was a sizeable collection & it doesnt take many that big to come onto the market to perhaps push the prices down a bit!

Thanks Keith.

[harvey_s]

It's what you've always said, Chris. Top quality rare guns retain their value, the rest go up and down. Although who would have thought the gallery guns market would tank like this?

Kind of predictable as they become less relevant to the younger collectors and the older collectors look to off load their collections rather than buy more...

[silva]

That military pattern was a beauty, one of the nicest condition ones sold for a while. I think the vendor would only have got about £1850 after commissions were paid. Not sure auctions are always the way to go for selling or buying expensive items.

[ogilkes]

Sterling HR83 £600 .... I did give it a try but fell far short. How many HR 8s did they make I wonder?

[45flint]

Sterling HR83 £600 .... I did give it a try but fell far short. How many HR 8s did they make I wonder?

I heard less than 100 English

[Garvin]

Kind of predictable as they become less relevant to the younger collectors and the older collectors look to off load their collections rather than buy more...

Sad but true.

[Arminius]

I'm a youngish collector, in my 40's. I don't know anyone my age who collects vintage air pistols or air rifles. Although I know we do exist. The truth is, most chaps my age are neutered, and could never hope to convince a wife or girlfriend to tolerate a large collection of guns in the home. Add to that, most people don't have a decent garden, and those that do are scared of the woke neighbours calling the police if they catch sight of what could look to the untrained eye as a firearm.

My grandfather gave me a Wesley air rifle when I was 10, and my father bought me a G10 for Christmas when I was 12. I think I collect not just out of love for the beautiful craftsmanship, but also the nostalgia for my youth. Many young boys have been denied that privilege of handling a solid metal mechanical air gun at a formative age. It's like Star Wars figures of the 1980's. Right now they are at a premium, because boys growing up in the 70's-80's are now at their peak in earning potential, and want to relive their childhood. But the market will collapse eventually, as children of the 90's were not interested in Star Wars. The philatelic collecting market is falling for the same reason.

As a newbie I feel I was ripped off occasionally by old collectors who seemed to think that their well cared for air gun was worth a fortune. In fact, we have to be realistic and accept that the demand for these beautiful pieces is falling rapidly. I was one of the lucky ones to pick up a bargain at Holts this week, and only wish I'd been able to stay on the auction longer for a Westley Richards. But I would not pay now over what those sold for. I understand a business charging a premium, but private sellers need to be realistic if they don't want to be buried with their collections.

[ptdunk]

Although who would have thought the gallery guns market would tank like this?

I'm planning on doing some good Gallery gun videos in the future so hopefully that will broaden their appeal. I often meet collectors who don't even know they exist, but I find it a fascinating area.

Missed out on a few bargains there it seems.

Cheers,
Matt