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

I have found a London sidelock gun with little engraving but very nicely made during the early 20th century in my price range and locally available to me. The drawback is that it was re-sleeved (nicely) and re-proofed in 1974. Is this kind of restoration work a big issue as far as its impact on gun value?

It all depends on the quality of the sleeve job. It could be a 20% ding in value or it could be a 70% ding in value.

Or, it could even enhance value. A teague lined barrel on a fine damascus gun that was not able to be shot anymore is likely going to increase in value through the barrel lining process. The only question remains: Will the gun increase by <$4000, the cost of new barrel sleeves or liners and reproofing?

George L. Should have stayed in the market, it took a hit in '08 has recovered most of what was taken in '08 and thats more than real-estate or home values have done in most of the country. The difference in bid and ask in land or real-estate is a lot tougher than stocks, bonds, mutual funds or guns. I buy guns for the joy of shooting them nothing more

I look at it much like Murphy. I buy what I like and buy with the idea of using & enjoying it. Thankfully it is a hobby (unlike many others) where I am able to largely recover my "investment" when interests change.

If one believes in the study of demographics and how it will apply to the upper midwest, there are going to be huge losers in the land game in the coming decades. That old saw about "them not making anymore lakeshore" has busted, bad, up here. Whatever your land or homestead assets were worth in the 5 state area, in 2005, simply divide in half, and that is what it is worth today. Premium properties have been hit even harder. It isn't going to change for the better, either, as baby boomers flee, in the near future.
I don't know anyone under 40 who is into doubles. Period. I have a retirement aged friend that asked for help in finding a mid-quality boxlock 20 gauge, and quickly ruled it out after seeing the money it would take. I am coming to believe that isn't unusual. Most guys or gals younger than 40 don't see the charm in a double. Not any that I know.
You want an investment, go buy one, and keep it for that. But, be careful-anyone who bought a Crysler product with the hemi engine from the musclecar era, 6 years, or so, ago, can ruefully tell you what the worst investment of the new millinium is. Most of us have won on a few guns, and, lost on some others, but, I'm betting it's all going to change with a bleaker shooting future for the fewer people interested in this type of recreation. Less ain't more in this game, fellas.
My IRA is up 10% since December 31 of last year. I don't have any guns that have done that, not yet, anyway. Probably won't stay that way, though.

Best,
Ted

I'm well under 40 and in love with fine doubles!! But alas I seem to be in the minority

Me too!

But I don't want to make money on a gun that I buy, I want to shoot it and enjoy it. Now a Remington semi-auto would accomplish the shooting part but where is the enjoyment in handling and owning a factory made gun? And, what will it be worth in 20 years? I would much rather spend $3000 on a well made classic that has charm and history behind it and will probably always be worth what I paid for it and probably in inflation adjusted dollars!

Am I wrong? Isn't that why we love these guns?

"Parking money in guns", unless you are going into the business in some way, seems like a rather bad use of "investment" dollars. The comment above with regard to wholesale and resale is never more correct than with guns. That said, fine guns are an excellent way to spend recreation dollars. For the price of a very ordinary boat, you can get a very nice nice British game gun, or even one of those hideously over-valued parkers :-), and still have something equally useful twenty years from now. Your neighbor's bass boat, on the other hand, will be lucky to last anywhere near 20 and he will have re-engined it at least once.

So unless you are investing in a business that offers the opportunity for investment return, then I would think of the dollars put in guns as the wise use of dollars to support a hobby. That said, if you are simply looking for an excuse to justify spending money on fine guns, then that is another issue entirely. I have used them all, and "safe investment", particularly in a period of economic uncertainty, seems far more considered than the "deal of the century" or specialized need excuses. (And my wife sees through every one!)

I think I understand Corkdecoy's idea and I agree with it. As a semi-indigent outdoor writer without a trust fund, I have to be careful with my money.

I enjoy driving though, and a few years ago, I bought a fun car that was in really good shape but at the bottom of the reverse bell curve that that reflects the value of things that are eventually collectable.

I have driven and enjoyed my "investment" without the huge depreciation hit I'd have taken had I bought a new car. My fun car has cost me some money in maintainence, but the cost is ofset by the fact it's gained a little in collectable value.

In effect, I'm enjoying it for free.

If you can forsee where the hearts and minds of future collectors are going, you can make money by owning nice things.

In 1972, I tried to talk a friend into buying an original AC Cobra and putting it into storage. They were bringing about 6K at the time. Original cars bring about a million now. It would have been a good bet but it was just that.

I think the trick, Corkdecoy, is buying smart today. The drop between retail and what you'll get later rules out buying retail.

Just my opinion