doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com The cost of keeping stock?

Just happened to take a look at an old article in Shooting Sportsman magazine going back to 2007. Noticed an add from a gun dealer and I thought some of the guns advertised looked familiar. I opened up a recent 2011 Shooting Sportsman and looked at the current add for the same gun dealer.

The exact same english 28 gauge boxlock had gone up in asking price from $4,500 to $13,000. An Italian O/U sidelock had gone up from $25K to $31K.

Over the last 4 or 5 years, although these guns had not sold, the asking price had continued to climb. You would think it would be the other way around.

Perhaps it's just the price these days of oiling and maintaining inventory.

I have several guns in inventory that were in inventory a few years ago. They were sold and have been traded back for upgrades. Can't say if that is the case in you example but it does happen.

The market changes. Some guns are now worth a lot more, others a bit less, than in 2007. There is no linearity to gun values, but fine English guns, especially small gauges, have jumped disproportionately, while Browning Superposeds, especially 12 gauge Field Grades, have fallen. Winchester 21's are a little soft as well, while the really nice graded Parkers, Foxes, and L.C. Smiths, especially small gauges again, have steadily gone up. It's a very specific market.
JR

Yeah there has been a popularity trend toward smaller gauges now for several years. The same small gauge english boxlock would probably be priced more now than in 2007 - even with the continued decline in the economy since 2007. That said it does make you wonder what you could get the gun for if you were willing to make an offer.

Chevy barely breaks even on manufacturing and selling Corvettes. Those flagship sports cars do however get people to come into the showrooms and maybe sit in a Vette. That softens them up toward the family car that they need and can afford. I suspect some guns are the same...

Huh?
JR

Huum- there may be a "flip side" to this coin as well. On "vintage" items, if they are not selling at the ticketed price, making it seem more exclusive by a higher price might be one way to land a solid buyer.

Interesting to note- back when you could by a fine DHE Parker with ejectors for maybe $140.00 (my guesstimate here) that price was the same no matter the gauge you specified. I'm with the buying philosophy of the late Parker guru Ed Muderlak- there were way more: Parkers, LC Smiths, AH Foxes built in 12 gauge than all the other gauges combined. I can'r speak for the high dollar British made bespoke doubles, waaaayy outta reach for me- But the market is funny- often hard to say what moves it--supply and demand, guns and butter, the dismal science of economics- all very interesting stuff!!