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The Hobby Of Collecting

The hobby of collecting consists of acquiring specific items based on a particular interest of the collector. Guns are popular items to collect due to their interesting political history and widespread social significance. How many investments can you name that virtually guarantee a sizable return on your money while offering the added bonus of pride of ownership? Buying antique automobiles might be one, and collecting fine art is certainly another, but if you didn't say gun collecting, you missed one of the surest bets around. But first, what is a gun collector?

According to the media, a gun collector is some weird misanthrope who stockpiles guns and ammo in anticipation of an invasion from government agents in black helicopters. This is about the same as calling a collector of Islamic art a terrorist. More to the point, the guy who owns a rifle for once-a-year deer hunts is simply a gun owner. Whereas someone-you, for example-who buys guns because he admires their beauty, workmanship, function and value can rightly call himself a collector. It is here that we recognize the similarity of collecting guns to collecting other forms of art.

All collections, whether they're guns or art, begin with the acquisition of a single piece. As is true of the art collector who begins with a single painting or sculpture for a few dollars and grows his passion into a collection worth millions, the collector of guns needs an eye for beauty, style and talent, plus the shrewd investor's sense of what will be in demand years hence. Unlike art collectors, however, who depend on capricious critics, the whim of fashion and a certain amount of luck, gun collectors play by safer and more predictable rules.

As with art, old cars and other items worthy of collecting and investment, there are several categories of gun collecting. Of these, perhaps the most exciting is "treasure hunting," in which the collector prowls gun shows, pawn shops, yard sales and even obituary pages. ("Sorry to hear about your husband, ma'am. Wish I had known him. By the way, did he leave any old guns?") These collectors need a broad knowledge of guns and their value, plenty of time and the dedication of a bloodhound. The thrill of the chase is part of the charm of hunting gun treasures and is occasionally spurred by reports of collectors finding beauties like a Walker Colt revolver in a junk shop for a few dollars and reselling it for a quarter mil. However, the likelihood of such finds is slightly better than that of discovering a doubloon-laden Spanish galleon in your swimming pool.

Another type of gun collector is the specialized-category connoisseur who sets out to accumulate specimens of only one brand or even a single model within a brand, say Parker or Fox shotguns, Colt pistols or Winchester rifles. This is a fairly secure and disciplined form of gun collecting with broad appeal, because it offers pride of ownership (and the envy of other collectors) with an almost guaranteed return on your investment (provided, of course, you've bought prudently).

These and other types of gun collecting have their own attractions, but don't lose sight of the fact that those old and rare Parkers and Winchesters were once new, and were bought to be used. That's why fledgling collectors should take a careful look at the guns being built today and decide which of them will be a rare jewel tomorrow. Perhaps surprisingly, there are some solid rules to follow that will virtually assure a sound investment.

1. Trust your sense of style and taste
   If it turns out later that your choice wasn't such a smart investment after all, at least you'll have a gun you enjoy looking at and using. When investing in a gun-does it look like a gun ought to? Trust your good taste.

2. Seek guns known for increasing in value
   The bluest of "blue chip" shotgun investments has long been side-by-side doubles, with certain over/unders also being highly desirable. Smaller-gauge guns almost always appreciate faster than larger bores simply because there are fewer of them. Parker Brothers doubles in 12-gauge DH Grade now sell for upward of four grand, whereas you can expect a 28-gauge in the same grade to fetch half again more. An indicator of the increasing demand for good doubles has been the value escalation of Model 21 Winchesters. Nowadays you're lucky to find a good used 12-gauge for $3,500. If you had bought the same gun new 10 or 20 years ago, you would have made a solid 10 percent per annum on your investment, in addition to owning and using a shotgun that says a lot about who you are.

3. Buy the best you can afford plus a little
   Higher-grade guns appreciate at a faster rate because there are simply fewer of them available. When investing in used guns, buy only the most pristine examples. That will ensure that when you choose to sell or upgrade the gun, the buyer won't have anything to complain about except your price.

Do you ever regret selling any of your guns. Sure, every one of them. And therein lies the fallacy of collecting guns as an investment: A fine gun becomes a lifelong friend, providing practical use and enjoyment and requiring only simple care in return. Friends like that are hard to find, and even harder to part with.

There are at least three good reasons for buying a used shotgun. The obvious one, of course, is to get a nice shotgun without having to pay the price of a new one. According to the latest Blue Book of Gun Values, 22nd Edition, a Remington Model 11-87 autoloader with a suggested retail price of $756 has a used value of $460 if it is in 98 percent condition (minor use). At 90 percent condition (some scuffing of blue and stock finish), the price drops to $350, which shows that the buyer can save himself some serious money if he shops smart.

The second reason for buying a used shotgun is to acquire favorite makes and models that are no longer in production. The ubiquitous five-shot "squareback" Browning autoloader and Winchester's Model 12 pump gun come immediately to mind. But don't expect great bargains when looking for these classics. Again according to the latest Blue Book of Gun Values, the plainest of the plain M-12s in 98 percent condition is listed at $395. That same gun sold for $110 in 1963. Model 12s with added features such as solid or ventilated ribs, special grades and rare, 28-gauge chamberings can cost 10 times as much. So whatever you pay, consider it an investment.

The same goes for buying the classic collectibles, the third good reason for buying a used shotgun. This is an exclusive group that includes such names as Baker, Fox, Parker and L.C. Smith. Using the term "used" to classify these guns is sort of like calling masterpieces by great artists "used" paintings because they had previous owners.

Just as great art can be appraised only by trained experts, establishing the values of fine shotguns is best left to connoisseurs of shooting ware and well-heeled collectors. There is no shortage of shady gun dealers willing to represent a classic marque shotgun as better or more original than it really is.

When buying a used car it's nice when the dealer knows the history of the vehicle and can assure you it's been well maintained and driven only to prayer meetings by his maiden aunt. The same goes for used guns. Quite often the dealer knows a gun's history since the time he first sold it new. However, unlike used cars (and even rifles), it's hard to wear out a shotgun with normal use. And since guns don't have odometers, we look for other signs of use - or more specifically, misuse.

The reason why most shotguns are on your dealer's used gun rack is simply that they were traded in on newer makes or models. Sometimes used shotguns come on the market at estate auctions and occasionally good buys can be found. Gun shows are also a great place to find used shotguns in abundance, but one has to be especially cautious when dealing with professional gun traders. After the show is over the trader may be hard to find if you have a complaint. Your local dealer, on the other hand, is more likely to correct problems and offer you a trial period.

Generally speaking, shotguns that are tight and clean on the outside are in similar condition on the inside. The opposite is also true. However, rust can form in the chambers and rrels with amazing speed. So even if the gun looks great on the outside, take a hard look into the bores and wipe the chamber with a white cloth. Any powder-like rust you find is indicative of chamber corrosion. Powder fouling in a shotgun barrel can hide flaws such as scratching and pitting, so be sure that the barrels are well cleaned before you reach for your wallet. When buying an autoloader, remove the forearm and inspect the recoil mechanism and gas system. Poor maintenance of the gas system could lead to rust corrosion.

Though maintenance is a good thing, some overzealous gun owners have the bad habit of over-oiling the mechanisms or spraying everything with penetrating preservatives. Excess oil then seeps into the stock, causing the wood to swell and weaken. This, in turn, can lead to the finish flaking off and eventually chipping and cracking. A darkening of the wood where it meets metal is a sure sign of such oil absorption.

Inspect screw slots for signs of burring or the ugly mangling typical of amateur gunsmiths armed with misfitting screwdrivers. Any such evidence should send warning lights flashing. Mangled screw heads mean that at some time, for some reason, someone who didn't know what they were doing took the gun apart (or tried to). Even if the gun functions normally, such blemishes reduce value, which is a sharp arrow in your quiver of bargaining weapons.

Factory-original bluing is a uniform color on all metal surfaces, but when a gun has been reblued even by a professional gun shop, you can often notice mismatched colors on various parts. Also, gun-shop metal polishing prior to rebluing frequently blurs and rounds the edges of the name, model and serial-number markings. Stock refinishing is usually detectable, even when done by an expert, and is unmistakable when done by an amateur. When there is evidence of refinishing, your "why" alarm should sound. All things considered, you should feel more secure buying a shotgun in need of refinishing than one that has already been refinished. Refinishing does not necessarily add to the value of a used gun, and may reduce its value.

Barrel lengths that look suspiciously short should be checked out against original lengths listed in the maker's catalog. It's not particularly uncommon for shotgun barrels to be cut off because of bulges near the muzzle caused by firing when the barrels were obstructed by mud or snow. Sometimes barrels are shortened simply to remove the choke. Such chop jobs always reduce value. When in doubt, compare the muzzle crowning with the crown of a known original. Quite often, muzzles of cut-off barrels will be flatter and not so evenly rounded at the crown as factory-original work.

Non-matching blue at the crown is another tip-off, and absence of choke is proof positive that something is amiss. Armed with undeniable evidence of such tampering, a buyer is in a strong position to demand that the asking price be reduced by the price of a replacement barrel (possible with most modern autoloaders and pump-action shotguns) or at least the cost of having screw-in chokes fitted.

Sometimes when a stock has been shortened only a half-inch or so and the buttplate or pad expertly replaced, the alteration may not be detectable by casual inspection. Check the length and feel. Shortened stocks can usually be restored to full length by using spacers or thick recoil pads; however, altered stocks reduce value.

After you make the usual checks for overall condition (inside and out), be sure to check the fit of the barrels to the action. Long use can wear the hinge pin so that the barrel fit becomes sloppy. A specialist can replace a hinge pin to like-new, but some shady characters have been known to give the lump hook extension (which pivots around the pin) a couple of whacks to close the radius and take up the slack. Check this closely, noting any drag on the rotation, and also look for signs of drag or "galling" on the knuckle (the rounded forward edge of the action).

The opening lever should be centered in alignment with the tang or slightly to the right. Levers that line up left of center may be a sign of excessive wear of the locking mechanism or tampering. If the barrels have been reblued, be suspicious because the ribs and barrels of many older guns were soft-soldered together. When reblued by the hot, caustic bluing used by many gunsmiths, the lead solder attachment can be weakened and the barrels may eventually come apart. The old gun trader's test for this problem is to tap the barrels with a soft mallet or against the side of your shoe soles. If the barrels ring true with a clear note, they're well attached, but a discordant double tone or rattling sings a warning song.

Jim Carmichel. Three Rules: Shotguns as Investments / How to Buy Used Shotguns. . September 18, 2007.

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