Justin, some points in response to your thoughts.
1. There is a new edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values that became available in April. PGCA board member Bill Mullins has for many years been the contributor for Parker values and I know from personal conversations with publisher Steve Fjestad that he believes the Parker values are accurately represented and researched. Steve believes the market is strong for high quality guns but is soft for common guns. My personal view is that many people overstate the condition of their guns. The Blue Book provides that for Parkers condition is of high importance and significantly affects value.
2. Highly regarded gun auctioner Jim Julia has said that with respect to his most recent auction in which a number of high grade Parkers were offered, that " PEOPLE WERE THROWING MONEY AT GOOD GUNS". The gavel prices on those guns were extraordinarily high. We talked to Julia representatives recently and they confirmed that their market is very strong.
3. Friends in the gun business have remarked to me that business is very good on high quality collector grade guns, including Parkers. The market for lesser guns continues to be soft.
4. While it is anecdotal only, I was told in a conversation with a Colt's Mfg Co supervisor that wait times for custom engraved guns will be close to one year, and that their regular production guns are allocated far in advance.
5. Dealer friends at the March Tulsa gun show, one of the largest in the country, told me they did well and sold guns. One said that the market has returned.
6. At the recent NRA convention ( 70,000 to 80,000 attendance) manufacturers such as Remington, Ruger and Browning mentioned to me that interest was strong and people were in a buying mood.
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