I’m not surprised. But it is interesting how rifles I could have purchased off the shelf at a sporting goods store not that long ago – are really taking off.
Blue Ridge Parson said
That is especially true for those rifles that were not regular cataloged offerings, and also those rifles that were only catalogued for a short time. The .284 Winchester you reference above certainly falls into that category.BRP
Yes, I suppose this is just the natural progression of things. The post-63 M70’s have their versions of the .35 Remington chamberings, the .308 featherweight variations and so on. I suspect these chamberings and variations will progressively get snapped up quickly and we’ll see more price escalation. However, some are probably sitting in out-of-the way gunshops where current pricing hasn’t caught up. It will pay for those interested to be up-to-speed on the different post-63 variations, relative scarcity, etc.
If a 1974 AMC Gremlin was your first car, now that you look back wistfully at that car, they are rare because most have met their fate at the car crusher. Those remaining few may command a premium for those who are nostalgic.
If your first rifle was a post 1963 Winchester, you might want to re-acquire one for sentimental reasons. I’d be surprised if 1963 to 1981 Winchesters remain collectible much after 2050 or 2100 as there’s no nostalgia and the pre 1964 stuff is of much better quality. Then again, by that time will any of this stuff be desirable due to increasing urbanization and the assault upon and hatred of the Second Amendment instilled in young, impressionable minds by our educators.
Tedk said
Know very little about them, but there is no shortage of fans of post-63 M70’s
And it helps there is no shortage of rifles. It helps that there are so many variations, chambering etc. In other words, lots for collectors to focus on. It also helps that there’s various levels of rarity among these rifles. Just the ticket for collectors.
November 7, 2015
Tedk said
Know very little about them, but there is no shortage of fans of post-63 M70’s
I learned to reload, shoot (rifles, anyway) and hunt with a rather homely M670, (economy M70) even called it Ol’ Ugly. Probably one of the best shooters I’ll ever have, partly thanks to a trigger job and some strategically placed epoxy. Shot it so much a bit of rifling let go and I had it re-bored to 35 Whelen. It will never shoot like it used to but it now has a rather attractive Boyd stock.
There were quite a few fairly modern and even new guns in the RIAC Premiere sale today, several yesterday as well. There was even a Uberti that brought something in the $3-4000 neighborhood. Not many post-63 Model 70’s but quite a few Colts and others were nowhere near C&R status. Some of our fellow collectors are definitely marching to the tune of a different drummer…and they aren’t afraid to spend money!
Mike
1 Guest(s)