Collectable Air Rifle

[Garvin]

Hi what makes a air rifle collectable is there a download list on the forum as i would believe there must be quite a few veibals involved.
Thanks from Toady

I've been compiling a list for a couple of years now and it seems to be getting longer and longer.

[Mr. Gen]

Any gun that someone wishes to own for purposes other than shooting it or making an immediate profit...the human desire to collect is intriguing in itself and will drive otherwise sane, balanced well adjusted people to run up debt, break the law and become a recluse.

Airguns are nothing compared with some secret hobbies I have been surprised to discover amongst acquaintances - Victorian pornography, unicorns, fossilized poo, bullet heads/musket balls that have passed through a human body, tanks, owl pellets and school text book graffiti being the less worrying ones!

Now I'm off to fit another couple of cabinets to the wall

[Binners]

I've been compiling a list for a couple of years now and it seems to be getting longer and longer.

If it is in here, it is collectable

[abewilson]

My feeling is if anyone wants it then its 'collectable' if no one wants it

Try talking them into want it rather than throwing it away

ATB

[look no hands]

I've been compiling a list for a couple of years now and it seems to be getting longer and longer.

I'm very disappointed that you don't have BSA Mercury or Challengers listed on your ever growing list.

Pete

[johnbaz]

In had a Johnny 7 as a kid, I was the envy of all my mates but I think it went in the bin when it got broken, They sell for a ridiculous amount now!! (Very collectable apparently!)

I also saved up when I was 14 and bought an old Lambretta TV200 (It cost me £30), Pretty sure my dad scrapped it when I got wed at 19yo and left home My brother who paints bikes/scooters and anytrhing else that will take paint told me that even a scrapper would realise £5,000 these days!!

On a brighter not, I just bought another walnut HW35 Luxus stock- Like flippin' busses, You wait ages then two come along!!

Just have to hope the postie doesn't break it now


John

[harry mac]

From now on, air rifles becoming collectable is purely academic. As we speak Scottish policemen are probably being told not to ascribe crime numbers to airgun confiscations/incidents unless absolutely necessary, so that in a year or so it can be "shown" that airgun licensing has worked. Then it will move South of the border. Will "collecting" be seen as good reason? Will having 83 HW35s, "all different" be seen as reasonable?
You might think I'm being overly sceptical, but my local force employed similar tactics to "prove" that the introduction of PCSOs had had a "marked effect" on low level crime.

[Geezer]

My definition of collectable is something that people want to own more for the sake of of owning it, rather than using it.

Me, if I can't shoot it (apart from a couple of things I bought needing a rebuild), I am not interested. I have looked at mint, boxed, unfired guns, and I can see the appeal, but not enough to spend money on a gun I would not shoot. On the other hand, I have bought less than perfect examples of guns because I actively wanted to experience how they handled and shot.

So I'm a shooter who collects things to shoot. Others are collectors who collect things to collect, and sometimes shoot them.

Of course, there is a grey area. Most collectors shoot their stuff occasionally. Most of us who shoot our collections still have items in them that aren't great to shoot, but are nice because they have particular features or provenance that make them attractive to us.

[cinedux]

I'm well aware most folk I know consider my 'collection' to be a load of old tat. Same folk will never experience the sense of fulfillment I derive from being surrounded by my 'loved ones'. The ability to reach out and caress any one of a dozen lovelies is a privilege I'd not yield lightly. I've never aquired a gun with a view to selling it. Just don't think that sort of thinking really crosses the mind of a true collector. Looking back on life I think I aspired to become a 'true collector'. Realistically,I didn't make the grade -but it has been fun trying. Oh,and what's 'collectable'? anything that takes one's fancy,i think.

[Garvin]

I think I would agree with Trev's relaxed view of what a collectable is - it's whatever somebody finds interesting enough to accumulate, even if others would consider it rubbish!

I know of collectors who are driven, serious, competitive, and not very complimentary about the airguns that excite less discerning collectors. I've discovered over the years that I'm not really like this, although I admire their tenacity and successes.

I have very occasionally bought an airgun without intending to hang on to it, mainly because I'm curious to see it 'in the flesh'. An example of this was an ERMA underlever-cocking rifle. I was impressed, but since it's not my cup of tea, I moved it on quickly.

[walnutfarmmick]

In had a Johnny 7 as a kid, I was the envy of all my mates but I think it went in the bin when it got broken, They sell for a ridiculous amount now!! (Very collectable apparently!)

I also saved up when I was 14 and bought an old Lambretta TV200 (It cost me £30), Pretty sure my dad scrapped it when I got wed at 19yo and left home My brother who paints bikes/scooters and anytrhing else that will take paint told me that even a scrapper would realise £5,000 these days!!

On a brighter not, I just bought another walnut HW35 Luxus stock- Like flippin' busses, You wait ages then two come along!!

Just have to hope the postie doesn't break it now


John

It's the ones that went in the bin that have made the survivors worth the money. Otherwise we'd still be driving Model Ts and they'd be worth tuppence.

ATB, Mick

[johnbaz]

It's the ones that went in the bin that have made the survivors worth the money. Otherwise we'd still be driving Model Ts and they'd be worth tuppence.

ATB, Mick

Spot on there Mick


John

[Garvin]

I'm very disappointed that you don't have BSA Mercury or Challengers listed on your ever growing list.

Pete

Don't be disappointed, Pete - supply some pics and I'll be happy to post them.

[johnbaz]

Don't be disappointed, Pete - supply some pics and I'll be happy to post them.

I can take some better pics of THESE if that's any good Danny

Think i'll have plenty of time on my hands!!


John

[Garvin]

I can take some better pics of THESE if that's any good Danny

Think i'll have plenty of time on my hands!!


John

That would be excellent, thanks John. Several of each, individually on a neutral background if possible.