I don't want to be an alarmist, but....

[Kensal Rise]

Well... this has certainly been uplifting.

Now all I have to do is die amidst my collection of fine guns.

Which my children can then sell to a scrap metal dealer, and order carry out pizza with the proceeds.

I need a drink...

[Craig Larter]

All I know is I am going to continue to buy great guns and my son will have to figure it out when I go to the happy hunting grounds! This thread is getting a little depressing for me.

[OH Osthaus]

well- we antique a lot as a hobby- one thing I have commented on lately is seeing more young people at shows than in the past few years

that may not translate to Parkers - as hunting declines interest in any hunting gun will follow

[J.B. Books]

I think it would be interesting to know the statistics of membership in the PGCA, median age of members and average number of years as a member. I think the data will show we as a group are growing older with fewer new younger members joining to replace us. There is no larger double gun collectors association than the PGCA, our statistics would be and are telling of the double gun market.

Young people are growing up in an amazing age of technology, they have grown accustomed to the latest and greatest gadgets. Their taste in firearms, antiques and motorcycles reflects this.

I saw a decline in hunting coming first hand when I worked for NH Fish & Game. I looked at the statistics for the number of 16 year old youth completing Hunter Education class for 2003. Age 16 was the first year they need the class to get a hunting license. I compared that number to the number of cities and towns in NH. At that time we had less than two 16 year old youth completing Hunter Education when divided by the number of cities and towns in the state. We are now 14 years later, the youth are not large enough in number to replace the generation that is leaving the sport due to health and or death.

[Harry Reed]

Part of the distraction is black rifles. You can buy parts and components for them and build a very accurate rifle in some excellent calibers for under $400. 300 blk, 450 bushmaster, all fun to hunt with. Don't misunderstand, I love classic doubles and old levers. I have and enjoy both. However, building an accurate black rifle is fun to plink with and can be done on the cheap. IMHO

PS. I still hunt with a reproduction Sharps 45-90.

[Dean Romig]

Maybe "guns" are just too controversial for the X-Gens and Millenials ?





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[Big D]

My two oldest grandsons are nationally ranked sporting clays shooters, and hardly know how to look down a set of S x S barrels. My pumps and S x S guns are nothing but a curiosity to them

[charlie cleveland]

all i need is one more parker...i too believe thatinterest in old collectable items are slowing down...remember the big crowds that use to be at the drag strips there pretty thin at our track...charlie

[Ed Blake]

The argument could be made that there was a "bubble" that burst and Parker values have yet to recover. Casual buyers and late comers to the Parker gun have lost interest and are trying to get some of their money back. The internet drove up prices and created a buzz that some tried to cash in on, who are now left holding the bag and dumping their guns. Small gauge guns are in demand, but even those prices seem to becoming ridiculous IMO. A bubble in small gauge guns? All these things have a cycle. Demand comes and goes.

[fred]

My guns are shooters. That's what I bought them for. I enjoy having them and using them. In the aggregate they will be worth more than I've paid and in the meantime I've had the pleasure of their company.