The dire future of Winchester collecting|Page 7|General Discussions & Questions|Forum|Winchester Collector

Bill-

I have seen very remarkable single gun displays so the concept of a single gun “collection” is not unreasonable. If I had to name the centerpiece of my modest collection it would likely be disappointing to most and would likely change almost daily. Two of the least visually impressive guns under my roof are also the most interesting, at least to me. Neither will bring big dollars at a show or auction. That concept may be hard to pass on to future collectors but it’s worth a try.
In my former vocation I often gave a customer a bit of useful information and with the help of his smartphone he quickly knew more than I did on the subject and where to find it cheaper. He was generally wrong on both counts but it was easier to let him continue on his path than correct him. After over 45 years in that business I found that behaviour tiresome and would generally be somewhat less helpful from that point foreword. If they wanted to think I’m old & stupid I’d generally let them.

Remarkable thing about the Walker Colt is that copies were being produced while the originals were being manufactured, if not shortly thereafter. It may be a 175 year old copy but it’s still a copy. 
I know very little about the fine arts but I know some masters, like Picasso, had students whose work was indistinguishable from that of the teacher. Most folks, even experts, would never know the difference but I’ll never take that chance, even if I was able.

Funny thing about these books we like is that I generally don’t retain much of what I read but I generally enjoy myself and I know where to look for information when an interesting gun comes along. It’s sad that so many younger folks will never know that pleasure.

Mike

One of the most useful things I’ve learned about fine art and classical music is, you don’t need to be educated to enjoy them and learn from them. Just go see and listen often and the art and the music will teach you. Higher Authority is a talented classical pianist who dragged me to concerts, recitals, operas and museums in the first years of our marriage, until one day I realized I loved the good stuff and detested the bad enough to avoid the latter. The good stuff goes right through the ears to the central switch board. Same with art except it goes through the eyes. 

How is this relevant?

A big part of Winchester collecting is the visual and tactile appeal of a fine specimen. JMB was a mechanical genius and visionary but TCJ and Mason were, among other things, artists with eyes and hands that instinctively knew grace and style. The Model 97 is a masterful machine but the Model 12 is a work of art, as graceful as any English game gun, particularly in the smaller gauges. The Skeet version of the 42….is a wand. 

One of the nicest Winchester shotguns ever made was the Model 59. I had one with a set of the  Versachokes complete with wrench, and a spare Modified barrel for doves because it was quieter. Light, balanced and fast, I loved that thing so much I gave it to my son in a fit of affection and nostalgia as he was moving a thousand miles away. The 59 was a real triumph of engineering (Marsh Williams and Harry Seyfried, I think)  and esthetic design, ignored by the unwashed because it was ahead of its time. 

clarence said

TXGunNut said

Education of the aspiring collectors is the key to the future of our hobby, first thing we need to teach them is that not all knowledge comes from a Google or Wikipedia search.

Lay aside their cells for a few hours?  Cruel & unusual punishment!

  

Cell phones and laptops, like fine whiskey, Winchesters, and the written word, are powerful tools for both good and evil. It’s how we use them and to what purpose that makes them a blessing or a curse. 

It’s not the devices, it’s the parent(s).

clarence said

Zebulon said

It’s not the devices, it’s the parent(s).

Many, if not most, of the greatest abusers ARE the parents.  But they too are products of a sick culture.

  

Concur. 

TR said
  “The dire future of Winchester collecting”, as a name for a thread sucks. Lets just delete the word dire.

  I see the high prices at the auctions and  when people stop biding then add the word “dire”. T/R

  

I think the OP was being a bit rhetorical, overstating his case just to set up a discussion.

On the occasions I’ve needed to liquidate something because I want/need/got-to-have something else, I’ve gotten hammered less when I auctioned it with a penny start and no reserve.

But auction prices don’t really  represent fair market value. Even the IRS says that.  In legal jargon, it’s the Big Pecker Factor that runs auction prices up into Neverland. 

Fair market value is most often ascertained in a stone cold bargaining session across a gun show display table, with lots of histrionics,  posturing, appeals to Heaven for patience, fake tears and eye-rolling, ending in a handshake. 

The OP got what he wanted: a very robust discussion among friends, which is not dire at all. 

steve004 said

Aussie Chris said

TR said

  “The dire future of Winchester collecting”, as a name for a thread sucks. Lets just delete the word dire.

  I see the high prices at the auctions and  when people stop biding then add the word “dire”. T/R

  

I agree with TR.

I am one of the younger Winchester collectors out there. Most of my collecting friends have white hair, I do not. The future may not be as bad as some of you think. At least I have to keep telling myself that as I fork out my hard earned! All the negativity can and does turn the young ones away. Don’t you guys want the hobby to continue after you have gone? You may see one of my carbines in the next magazine. 

I have been quite fortunate with some of my collection. I have some high end Winchesters that I have been lucky enough to pick up at realistic prices. These include deluxe and special order guns. There are bargains still to be had believe it or not. You just have to have your finger on the pulse and actually get out there and meet people and look at stuff. The online collectors are the ones paying through the nose. 

I realise that I am the minority these days among the other young shooters/hunters/collectors. I also like my old cars – see my avatar. Maybe I was born in the wrong era….

  

What is this thing you speak of – hair?  Perhaps if I search my memory banks…. 

  

Haha love it!