doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Where to park my money?

With the American dollar in steady decline the World's wealthy are getting out of dollars and into multi-carat diamonds, Impressionist paintings, and for all I know cased pairs of Purdy shotguns!

I can't afford any of the above, but I would like to buy a few British game guns that I can use and that will retain their $2-3,000 value for the next 20 years or so that I will use them.

Any suggestions as to what to buy? What to avoid? Where to find them for sale?

Thanks, Jim

Nice Parkers! Hand down favorite winner. However, if you have a 20 year time window almost any good Brit gun should keep up with inflation and maybe even give a little return above that. Strong recommendation to buy original condition and not heavily restored guns. Then take care of them.

Cork:
In Brit guns, I'd look hard at the top end Birmingham guns that have yet to get their due. Think Wm. Powell, Westley Richards, W. W. Greener.

Otherwise, the VERY best Belgians are way under-valued. Francotte particularly.

Best, Kensal

A note of caution - often, collectibles are bought at retail, and sold at wholesale, so you've got a 15-20% mountain to climb just to break even. People say "I can sell them at retail" Perhaps you can, but what happens if you are unable to do so, and your wife has to dispose of them? I'm guessing she won't get full-blast retail. Good luck

A very Wise man on this board gave the best advice when he said to always buy the best, most expensive gun that you can afford.

Providing of course you've done your homework, and it's a lotta homework! But it's a fun subject. Be sure to stick around here, you'll learn so many things you wouldn't otherwise.

All of the above is good advice. Good original A.H. Fox guns have yet to hit their stride. The small bore big bore Parker guns, .410, 28, 20 & 8 gauges will continue to be a good investment. Single barrel trap guns, Parker, Fox, L.C. Smith, Ithaca and Baker seem to be underpriced considering the quality of workmanship. To me many of the new Italian and Spanish SxSs are way overpriced and won't hold their current value. JMHO

Best Regards, George

Thanks for all of the input. My goal is not to make money but to enjoy these great shotguns, shoot them some and to leave them in my estate having retained their value. We all know that the declining dollar will in ten or twenty years $3000 put in the bank today will probably retain enough value to buy new Remington 870!

Better to have a great shotgun today and to have it retain all or most all of its value as the dollar sinks!

I am interested in guns from the Birmingham makers and will shop hard for them!

As an investment, I believe firearms are way over-stated for the average individual.Originality is always an issue unless you know the brand inside and out, and the most desirable guns are always expensive and returns to the owner are always dependant on the eventual buyer, when/if you can connect. Buy them with the intention of using them with care and if you make a few bucks when you do sell, all the better.

I like all the advice above. I think it is spot on.

The only thing that comes to mind is the amount of money you mention is in about where I've spent a lot on guns. IMO, this is the prime price range where there are lots of guns that are problem guns and the buyer is most likely to get something that is really a money pit. IMO, there are, arguably, more problem guns in this range than good guns. The buyer has to be very savy and a bit lucky to get a decent buy that doesn't require additional money to repair it or find out it's not original.

The small bore Parkers have long since passed the sum you mentioned. You may pick up a small bore field grade Fox in that range that is of decent condition. Also some of the Iver Johnson Skeeters can be found in this range and have a proven history of value appreciation due to their American target game heritage.

I think your idea has some merit, but wingshooting is declining at a rapid pace, how long will it be before these guns we all cherish so deeply, (and pay large sums for), lose their value in the market? It's a nasty truth to face, but it's a truth none-the-less. I hate to be a gloomy Gus, but at 28 years old, I don't see my guns being worth a whole lot when my family has to liquidate them. I don't buy them for that reason, I buy them for the simple reason that I enjoy them. I think that given history, the stock market over a time period will pay off better certainly hard gold will! I know it isn't much fun to hold some paper or a shiney piece of a rock, but it's the truth in today's world. If the money in question truly is disposable, or liquid, then by all means buy some guns to enjoy. Leave them to your estate, 'cause the memories your family will have of you with them are priceless! The memories you take with you in their use will be something you can't put a $$ sign on no matter how hard you try. Life is far too fragile and short to worry about turning disposable income into a fortune, with out something to hold and enjoy paper money is no better than the Charmin you wipe with!!