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Post by bushog on Mar 10, 2018 7:08:14 GMT -5
There have been some custom SAs listed on the online sites lately that in my humble opinion have been priced quite high.
I had a long discussion about the future of custom SAs with one of the better known smiths a few months ago and his perspective was that these prices are going to fall.
His take is that the new generation just isn't interested in having "Dad's old gun" because of changes in lifestyles in general as well as the anti gun movement. Folks are dying and the guns of old are becoming available.
Youngster falls in love, gets married, maybe has a child or two and Dad or Grandad pass..... Leaves gun to kid....spouse says "not in my house". Ya' gonna leave your spouse? Kids are scared, spouse's sentiment about guns has changed ...FAST... Sentiment and interest in general is waning...AND changing because of these darned school incidents.
Heck, how many Bowen or Clements guns have we seen lately on the auction sites that went for prices less than having them built today? That Nimrod that John G had for sale took forever to sell and it was a really nice old example.
I just picked up an early Bowen with some super cool features I'll post pics of later for about $800 less than I figure a new build of lesser quality would cost.
I think they have been bringing what they're worth but the days of thinking you've got something special (unless it's a Dustin gun, best grade, brass frame etc...) may be gone and they just aren't going to bring the gold that I and I would guess many others had hoped they would some day.
So...what to do....? Buy them up as the prices continue to drop and lose money or wait?
I don't have a crystal ball but the fella' I was talking with has as close to one as it comes....IMO
I'm just gonna get what I want when I want it (and can get it) and enjoy myself.
Hell, I don't care if they bury me with the things...
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Post by squawberryman on Mar 10, 2018 7:46:35 GMT -5
The old adage custom to me means means nothing to you reigns supreme I believe. There are some models just ABOUT everyone likes, nut not everybody. A pre war Smith in the original box with tools IS an investment, a Smith barreled Blackhawk (no matter how pretty) is not. There ain't no blue book on custom sixgun values, I think. Mr. Bradshaws' 45 may cross the line. As long as others keep offering them up, I'll keep paying attention.
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Post by mike454 on Mar 10, 2018 8:24:58 GMT -5
The whole market seems to be a little soft over all the past year or so. I usually follow David Carolls penny start auctions on gunbroker and have seen a number of guns there go for at least 20% less than I thought they should. I figure even if I take a bit of a fleecing when I go to sell, my guns will have held up far better in value that the things (china, crystal, shoes, purses) that my wife has bought over the years. I think we fans of single actions are in the same boat as the stamp and coin guys. My father is a stamp collector and he tells me that you can buy old collections for a song because there is no new blood in the hobby.
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Post by kings6 on Mar 10, 2018 10:01:15 GMT -5
"CUSTOM" is the key here. Like mentioned, just because it is my idea of what I want for custom doesn't mean I should expect others to want the same thing. Sure, I've bought other guys ideas of custom either so the gun can be a placeholder in my journey or once or twice because it is just what I would want built but this is rare. I've also bought them due to their rareness like Bushog mentioned with a Dustin gun. Still I don't think I have ever sold one of my true customs for what I have in it nor do I fully expect to since it is my vision, not someone else's. Each of my kids will get a special gun from my small group but as time starts pushing me harder towards the end more of the guns will look for new homes. The way I look at it, the money I spent on them was discretionary at the time and is long gone so what I get for them will be like found money. Now that doesn't mean some of you guys an start planning to buy a Bowen gun for $97 from me some day  but still, what they sell for wont' be that important. That said, I will admit to buying some guns simply due to their rarity such as the TLA guns and the USFA guns but scare or rare guns do not equate to custom guns. |
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Post by bushog on Mar 10, 2018 10:22:48 GMT -5
"CUSTOM" is the key here. Like mentioned, just because it is my idea of what I want for custom doesn't mean I should expect others to want the same thing. Sure, I've bought other guys ideas of custom either so the gun can be a placeholder in my journey or once or twice because it is just what I would want built but this is rare. I've also bought them due to their rareness like Bushog mentioned with a Dustin gun. Still I don't think I have ever sold one of my true customs for what I have in it nor do I fully expect to since it is my vision, not someone else's. Each of my kids will get a special gun from my small group but as time starts pushing me harder towards the end more of the guns will look for new homes. The way I look at it, the money I spent on them was discretionary at the time and is long gone so what I get for them will be like found money. Now that doesn't mean some of you guys an start planning to buy a Bowen gun for $97 from me some day but still, what they sell for wont' be that important. That said, I will admit to buying some guns simply due to their rarity such as the TLA guns and the USFA guns but scare or rare guns do not equate to custom guns. Whew! That means the $50 I have will be enough!! |
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Post by sixshot on Mar 10, 2018 12:36:08 GMT -5
Us older guys still put a high value on craftmanship. Deep bluing, fine wood, custom handmade sights, triggers that break like frozen lettuce, case hardening, etc. Nice old cars, tractors, watches, motorcycles, a pair of custom made boots or a fine hat. Anything hand made with pride is still appreciated by the older crowd but a lot of guys know very little about John Browning, August Pachmyr, Iver Hendrickson, George Hoenig, Monte Kennedy, Shellhammer, etc, all craftsmen who worked wood & metal like it had grown together along with many others not mentioned.
It's became plastic & CNC & fiberglass & many are happy to live with it. What will the next 20 years bring? Many of us won't be here to see it but it's sure been a lot of fun!!
Dick
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Post by kings6 on Mar 10, 2018 13:13:07 GMT -5
You know it is funny you mention the plastic and fiberglass Dick. While I have a couple nice revolvers I have always wanted an equivelent bolt rifle by someone like Dakota or Cooper. I saw a listing for one the other day in 7mm-08 and I got excited until I looked at the ad and there was a nice synthetic stocked stainless actioned rifle and I just kind of deflated. Blued steel, figured wood and hand craftsmanship still turn my crank.
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Post by Burnston on Mar 10, 2018 13:20:39 GMT -5
Nice old cars, tractors, watches, motorcycles, a pair of custom made boots or a fine hat. Anything hand made with pride is still appreciated by the older crowd. There are several fathers and grandfathers out there who taught their boys to value these things. My west Texas grandfather liked to say "A month's salary on your head, a month's salary on your feet, and $5 in between." While I don't believe he coined the phrase, it's always stuck with me, which is why I as a 31 year old pay too much for boots and only $12 for jeans. I think the same principle applies to sixguns. On a side note, the older crowd being referred to here by Mr. Thompson has another designation; old hands. In my mind, no finer compliment can be paid. |
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Post by coldtriggerfinger on Mar 10, 2018 13:40:20 GMT -5
I think it's the focus of what's being spent. Spend a bit of time on Accurate Shooter or Sniper's Hide . You'll see lots of rifles that are the same $$$$ as most custom 5 shot single actions.
Just some optics alone sell for as much as some custom revolvers.
Then there's the practical side. Not a lot of people live where they Need an ultra powered revolver to keep the bears off. And when it comes more moderate powered handgun s. What's better a custom single action 44 special or a G20 or 21 ?
Near as I know ARs are still selling like crazy.
Now that mid teir rifle optics start at $800. And go to $2,500 ish
That's an expense that didn't used to be. 20 years ago only high end European optics brought that kind of money. Now there are lots of NEW optics companies bringing out Tac scopes for those prices . And guys are buying them.
One other thing that is affecting the high dollar single action revolvers IMO. Fewer gunwriters are going off and having grand adventures with their custom built hand cannons. The only one I know of is Max. His adventures are GREAT and it would be awesome to see kids gobbling up his writings like I and many friends did Ross Seyfried's when he kicked this ball into play.
I've held 2, 500 Linebaugh Bisely's here locally. I seriously doubt either will ever be used to run a brown bear on foot. Lot of expense, not a real use.
All these things add up to less interest in custom single action revolvers.
Tho I wear White's and Viberg's all my firearms are built from materials that can be tossed in a heavy aluminum skiff and go live off.
I've had my fill of rusty blued guns and wood stocks and grips that look like crap and fail or flat out break because they were put to work.
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princeout
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Post by princeout on Mar 10, 2018 22:27:38 GMT -5
Blued steel, figured wood and hand craftsmanship still turn my crank. I’m with Robb on this one. Tim |
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Post by kings6 on Mar 10, 2018 23:09:08 GMT -5
As hard as I try to keep stainless steel guns, the little FA 97 is the only one still here. I know that makes no sense living here in the NW with all the rain but that is just me.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Mar 11, 2018 21:51:47 GMT -5
Maybe we should work harder to mentor some new blood into our game. Teach them the finer things...
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Post by crazycarl on Mar 11, 2018 21:54:50 GMT -5
I prefer stainless, but there is no denying the beauty of a nice, polished blue, maybe with a CCH frame & some beautiful wood grips.
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eskimo36
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Oklahoma
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Post by eskimo36 on Mar 12, 2018 4:27:24 GMT -5
As you walk a show like the Dallas Safari Club or SCI, you see guns that are over a hundred years old. Guns that have hunted and killed. Guns that have traveled the world. Guns with souls. Guns that were made by the hands of artist at Rigby’s, at Holland and Holland, at Purdy, etc. Blue steel, walnut, and CCH dominates. Our contemporary single action artists turn out the same class of guns. Guns that will live on long after we are gone and be appreciated by generations to come that see the artistry, the craftsmanship and the soul. Gun care is far advanced compared to 100 years ago. I’m ok building a few and caring for a few others for a time knowing they will be in someone’s holster long after I’m gone.
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princeout
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Post by princeout on Mar 12, 2018 6:57:44 GMT -5
The Harton 41 Magnum #5 clone on Gunbroker this week ought to test Bushog's hypothesis. A pinnicle gun by a builder no longer building Rugers in one of the most desirable formats, albeit a caliber somewhat less favored by some (but more favored by others!). In fairness, Greg did say his thoughts might exclude guns like a Dustin, Best Grade, brass Bisley and I'm thinking this might qualify as similar.
Wish my gun fund held a few more coins this week!
Tim
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but still, what they sell for wont' be that important.
