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As of late I’m having an identity crisis. I can’t figure out lately if I’m a collector or a seller. Until a while ago I only collected, but I started selling to upgrade my collection and now the game has changed when it comes to what I pay.
Previously I did my homework & didn’t want to over pay, but in the end on several occasions I doled out full value with no wiggle room for any profit. As I start to increase my collection, I find myself thinking more as a seller(dealer) & declining purchases due to the price that I might normally have made before.
Maybe this is just the cycle one finds himself in as we gain knowledge & acquisitions, but it felt a lot better when I only considered myself a collector lol & selling wasn’t a thought.
AG
AG said
Previously I did my homework & didn’t want to over pay, but in the end on several occasions I doled out full value with no wiggle room for any profit.
I’d like to know how you avoided doling out full value, because I’ve sure as hell never run into any dealer who was interested in leaving me “wiggle room for any profit.” If there was a dollar’s profit left to made, they wanted it for themselves!
But this is not a subject I know much about, because I’ve never bought anything with the intention of reselling it again in the foreseeable future. Often I do sell it later, but it’s always to finance the purchase of another gun, & I consider myself lucky if I don’t take a loss on the deal.
No offence, but I’m glad to hear I’m not, or haven’t been the only one in this position.
Sincerely
AG
clarence said
I’d like to know how you avoided doling out full value, because I’ve sure as hell never run into any dealer who was interested in leaving me “wiggle room for any profit.” If there was a dollar’s profit left to made, they wanted it for themselves!
But this is not a subject I know much about, because I’ve never bought anything with the intention of reselling it again in the foreseeable future. Often I do sell it later, but it’s always to finance the purchase of another gun, & I consider myself lucky if I don’t take a loss on the deal.
10-4 on that Clarence. me too. Big Larry
I started out way-back as a Shooter/Collector and always had lots of spare money – years went by and Children came along so I started setting up a table at the local Gun-Shows to re-cycle my unwanted stuff and so that my hobby could finance itself.
I got better at trading, and over time buying and selling for a profit actually became fun and improved my collection greatly.
I’ve sold many great Winchesters that I should have kept, but I couldn’t say no to the money. I’m addicted to deal making, for me it’s fun.
I have one rule – I won’t buy anything that I can’t resell for a profit.
I’ve learned to walk away.
Depends…. I’ve bought a couple 1890’s I don’t know if I could recoup my cost. I needed them to fill out my collection and the two I’m referring too don’t show up with any regularity. Try finding a first model chambered in 22 WRF and the second one is the model 1890 (Not 90) chambered in 22 LR. 90’s in LR are a dime a dozen, try finding one with 1890 stamped on the barrel. It’s a mighty rare bird as it was the transition year when Winchester dropped the 18 off the 90 and it was also the year they introduced the 22 LR chambering to the model 1890.
As a rule tho, I generally won’t buy if there is not a bit of meat left on the bone or a simple fix to enhance the value. I will buy restoration projects, (generally in the 3-400 range simply because I enjoy doing it and I wanted one of whatever it was I bought. Originality isn’t as Important to me so much as others, but I do enjoy an antique rifle that appears like it just came out of the box. My advantage is, I can enjoy it for a few hundred dollars (and a bit of time) versus a few thousand $ Just the way my watch ticks, most others method will vary…….
Erin
Financially you really don’t know how good or bad your purchases are until you sell them. When I hear someone say, “I just bought this $2000. gun for $1500.” You don’t know until you sell it. Sometimes selling a few guns can be a learning experience for a collector. T/R
I bought My first “collectable” gun , a ’93 Marlin when I was 17, a few years back ha ha. I have built several different collections over the years as I enjoy the thrill of the hunt . I put together 1 complete collection of Winchester Commemoratives and 2 others that were missing a couple of the more expensive pieces. I sold that 3 sets of commemoratives plus a few others to 1 fella in Quebec, 450 guns total, that was a big cheque, or check, for You Americans. I put together a collection of ’94’s 1 from each year of manufacture, and a few 2 per year, rifle and carbine, starting with ser#601 and ended ser# 6,milion something I think it was 118 pieces. I put together a collection of all the lever rifles, and carbines, including the Henry pre 1900, in deluxe versions only. Right now I’m working on a collection of all the lever guns, pre 1900 in standard configuration, in carbine, rifle and musket and shotgun, I have the ’66’s 73’s and92’s and some of the rest. The only way I have been able to do this is to sell off all or part of the previous collection and usually at a tidy profit. I mean geez 7 years ago I had about 1450 guns, not all collectable pieces, however I used to display between 600 and 700 pieces in My “gunroom”. I currently have about 150 pieces as I moved from My big gunroom behind My office at the R.V. business we had in Bayfield, to a regular house and I will not keep guns in the basement, but do have a secure room and office. Let Me tell You , I have had a lot of fun over the years doing this and have made a lot of friends in the hobby. I am definetly not apologetic for making a tidy profit in My ventures as not to many people I know (other than You Guys) would step out on a limb and invest the kind of money it takes to do this. I have never heard any one say “I’m going to buy this piece cause I like it and I’m going to pay to much for it and sell it at a loss later. I bought a 900 piece collection one time for $450,000.00 and doubled My money on it when it was all sold, about 2 years. My Wife was furious when I was borrowing money to put this deal together but was very happy with the out come. ’94 trappers are My weakness and profit is not a factor when I find a nice one that can be bought. So collector or seller? I like to think of Myself as a collector then a re-distribution person ha ha. I think if everyone kept everything they bought there would be no collectables out there to collect as they’d be all salted away in vaults somewhere. Just some of My thoughts on collector or dealer, and if You read all this You don’t have near enough to do. ha ha
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
November 7, 2015
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I think selling is a necessary part of collecting at some point. We find better examples, we become interested in different models, we run out of room or we run out of money. Sometimes when we sell a gun it’s not worth what we paid for it, for whatever reason. That’s unfortunate and not always avoidable. We live and learn but hopefully don’t get hurt too bad, I guess that’s why I’ll continue to invest in a reference library. I’m not very good at selling, seems I’ve only sold a handful since I started collecting. I need to get better at it tho, I have little room or money for acquisitions.
Mike
Don’t worry about it. Make the best choices you can when you buy. Anything after that is out of your control. I’m not saying to sell foolishly. Dealers have told me that you make your money when you buy not always when you sell. If you start worrying about resale you will drive yourself crazy and not ever buy anything. Let the dealers worry about that.
TXGunNut said
I think selling is a necessary part of collecting at some point. We find better examples, we become interested in different models, we run out of room or we run out of money. Sometimes when we sell a gun it’s not worth what we paid for it, for whatever reason. That’s unfortunate and not always avoidable. We live and learn but hopefully don’t get hurt too bad, I guess that’s why I’ll continue to invest in a reference library. I’m not very good at selling, seems I’ve only sold a handful since I started collecting. I need to get better at it tho, I have little room or money for acquisitions.
Mike
Well said Mike, I to am not very good at selling and need to get better at it. T/R
Good advice Chuck.
Henry, I read your post like I was seeing playboy for the first time. That is some serious collecting & selling.
Mike I can appreciate where you’re coming from.
T/R I can’t argue with that.
Great reading & insight from all.
AG
TR said
Well said Mike, I to am not very good at selling and need to get better at it. T/R
Nor am I; and for my own benefit, I wish I could “get better at it.” Doubt I’ll have much success, though, as I HATE selling anything.
TXGunNut said
We live and learn but hopefully don’t get hurt too bad, I guess that’s why I’ll continue to invest in a reference library.
Nothing his provided me more personal satisfaction than my gun books–originals, not reprints, except for a few of the very rarest titles. (To the many who might say, “what’s the difference, the info is the same,” all I can say is “is a Uberti ’73 the same to you as a Winchester ’73?) I’ve sold most of the guns I once had, but not one of my books, nor original catalogs, which I treasure equally. I’m well aware that, at my age, I should be getting rid of them (probably about 300, not counting catalogs & other paper) while I’m still able, but I can’t bear to part with them. And I still use them all the time for unpredictable reasons–I read or hear about something interesting, maybe on this forum or others, then try to find out more about it from some writer who was “there” 100 or more yrs ago.
Erin Grivicich said
Depends…. I’ve bought a couple 1890’s I don’t know if I could recoup my cost. I needed them to fill out my collection and the two I’m referring too don’t show up with any regularity. Try finding a first model chambered in 22 WRF and the second one is the model 1890 (Not 90) chambered in 22 LR. 90’s in LR are a dime a dozen, try finding one with 1890 stamped on the barrel. It’s a mighty rare bird as it was the transition year when Winchester dropped the 18 off the 90 and it was also the year they introduced the 22 LR chambering to the model 1890.As a rule tho, I generally won’t buy if there is not a bit of meat left on the bone or a simple fix to enhance the value. I will buy restoration projects, (generally in the 3-400 range simply because I enjoy doing it and I wanted one of whatever it was I bought. Originality isn’t as Important to me so much as others, but I do enjoy an antique rifle that appears like it just came out of the box. My advantage is, I can enjoy it for a few hundred dollars (and a bit of time) versus a few thousand $ Just the way my watch ticks, most others method will vary…….
Erin
I’ve never thought about the point regarding the LR caliber and 1890 barrel marking. Now you will have me looking for that every time I see a LR chambering! I did check one 1890 with a like barrel marking that was serialized in late October of 1919, but it is in .22 Short.
James
Erin Grivicich said
Depends…. I’ve bought a couple 1890’s I don’t know if I could recoup my cost. I needed them to fill out my collection and the two I’m referring too don’t show up with any regularity. Try finding a first model chambered in 22 WRF and the second one is the model 1890 (Not 90) chambered in 22 LR. 90’s in LR are a dime a dozen, try finding one with 1890 stamped on the barrel. It’s a mighty rare bird as it was the transition year when Winchester dropped the 18 off the 90 and it was also the year they introduced the 22 LR chambering to the model 1890.Erin
Yes I too will be looking for a 22WRF & 1890 stamped barrel. Thanks Erin, you just threw jet fuel on my ?
AG
AG said
Yes I too will be looking for a 22WRF & 1890 stamped barrel. Thanks Erin, you just threw jet fuel on my ?
AG
AG,
22 Long Rifle, WRF’s with the 1890 are dime a dozen. WRF first models are a rare commodity. (think very few Xmas presents for the kids
)
Erin
November 7, 2015
Offline
clarence said
TXGunNut said
We live and learn but hopefully don’t get hurt too bad, I guess that’s why I’ll continue to invest in a reference library.Nothing his provided me more personal satisfaction than my gun books–originals, not reprints, except for a few of the very rarest titles. (To the many who might say, “what’s the difference, the info is the same,” all I can say is “is a Uberti ’73 the same to you as a Winchester ’73?) I’ve sold most of the guns I once had, but not one of my books, nor original catalogs, which I treasure equally. I’m well aware that, at my age, I should be getting rid of them (probably about 300, not counting catalogs & other paper) while I’m still able, but I can’t bear to part with them. And I still use them all the time for unpredictable reasons–I read or hear about something interesting, maybe on this forum or others, then try to find out more about it from some writer who was “there” 100 or more yrs ago.
clarence said
TXGunNut said
We live and learn but hopefully don’t get hurt too bad, I guess that’s why I’ll continue to invest in a reference library.Nothing his provided me more personal satisfaction than my gun books–originals, not reprints, except for a few of the very rarest titles. (To the many who might say, “what’s the difference, the info is the same,” all I can say is “is a Uberti ’73 the same to you as a Winchester ’73?) I’ve sold most of the guns I once had, but not one of my books, nor original catalogs, which I treasure equally. I’m well aware that, at my age, I should be getting rid of them (probably about 300, not counting catalogs & other paper) while I’m still able, but I can’t bear to part with them. And I still use them all the time for unpredictable reasons–I read or hear about something interesting, maybe on this forum or others, then try to find out more about it from some writer who was “there” 100 or more yrs ago.
Couldn’t agree more, Clarence. My reference library is relatively small but I’ll dare say almost every title has helped me make a buying decision worth more than the purchase price, in some cases many times. In our digital age books have little value to most folks, proud to be an exception. I’ve more years behind me than in front of me but I’m still a youngster around here. I’ll keep my books and let someone deal with them when I’m gone. They’re worth more to me than almost anyone else.
Mike
I guess I’ve never been “married” to anything except My Wife and My dog, they’re both not for sale and not available. However I just sold a ’67 Mustang that I swore would go to the boneyard with Me but a fella from Quebec offered Me more money than I could, in all My common sense, say no to. I’ve had some guns like that also, just more money than I could turn down. I’ve had no regrets but some I would like to buy back when I get to missing them.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
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