Well I like a good debate so I am going to offer a different opinion. I think the SxS shotgun shooting and collecting world is alive and well and the opinion that it is all old guys with no new blood is a farse as well. Collectible firearms are no different than collectible cars, art, coins, etc. and it takes four things in my opinion for a person to be active in the hobby or to be a collector and/or shooter of these wonderful guns.
1. Passion
2. Knowledge
3. Money
4. Time
While a young person may have one or two of the items on this list they very rarely have all four in regards to old SxS shotguns in their 20’s or even their 30’s. I think serious double gun hoarding happens in your 40’s and 50’s and is usually influenced by family or friends. I think shotgun collecting has a sweet spot from age 40 – 70. This is where passion, knowledge, money, and time all come together. I think this was true 50 years ago, 30 years ago, 20 years ago, and today.
There was a recent post on Parkers listed for sale in a gun list from 1968 and some follow up post from our members who were young men at that time and how their finances would not have allowed them to purchase these Parkers. Why would it be any different for a 20-25 year old today? I am sure there are exceptions but this is my observation.
Patrick
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