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

[PML]

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

[Eric Estes]

I agree with Patrick. As long as the 2nd amendment is not left by the roadside collecting and shooting of fine guns will continue. The size of the community may wax and wane over the decades, but as long as we are still allowed to posses them it will be there.

[George "Scott" Davis]

New Mexico High School Cheerleader

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RKGp_tneP48

PS: Kayla already has Antelope and Mule Deer hanging on the wall and now a World Class Desert Bighorn Sheep. She has been shooting and hunting since she was a very girl.

[Craig Budgeon]

I live in the Rochester, NY area. Within 6 hours I can drive to 8 gun restorers many of them well known to this forum. Two of the owners have personally expressed there concerns about the average age of there clientele and the future of there vocation. I found my own way to the hobby as did everyone whose story I know did. In 45 years I have never met a person who credits another person for leading them to the hobby. In the early 1960's my village was surrounded by farmland and pheasants. The vacant farmland is filled with housing tracts and the pheasants you see can only be found in pictures today.

[John Allen]

I have been in the high grade gun business in one form or another for 40 years.What I have seen is a separation of the market for fine guns.When I started most nice doubles were bought by shooters who also collected.The last 10 years there are fewer shooters and more pure "collectors".Really pristine guns of any kind now bring more that they ever have. However,nice guns with any wear at all are dropping in price.Another factor that has not been mentioned is the large number of guns that are coming on the market now.As we baby boomers downsize or pass away more and more collections are coming out.Economics 101,high supply means lower prices.

[King Cobb]

Ok...how to address this...Another topic on another gun forum about young people not collecting or buying classic guns. These things are cyclical like all things. Part of it I am quite certain has to do with the fact that the guns have in my opinion become too valuable too quickly. As a member of that group below the age of 40, it is hard enough at this point in our lives to buy a house for our family, we don't have disposable income to currently go investing in guns at prices that are at an exorbitantly high value. You all must remember that yall got into buying these guns when they were pennies on the dollar compared to what these guns are selling for now. Combination of older collectors falling off and younger collectors lacking the finances to pick it up at the high (see inflated (my word)) prices that they currently are at. Hey, I absolutely love love love parkers, colts, winchesters, brownings, mustangs, remington/russel art, Henry rifles, etc etc etc. I do not mean to be insulting but some of you lose context of how you started collecting these toys and what prices/stage in life you were at. People always say it's because we don't appreciate it, true but also, at our stage in life we also aren't in the position to have the disposable income to pay the large sums of money that all these guns and vehicles and art and other brick a brack that we collect. The market is currently down though I am certain it will indeed recover. And yes, sorry to disappoint but the younger generations will continue to collect and value. It is just in a trough at the moment. I will say that to me at least I am not seeing cheaper prices. 4 years ago when I got into this, damascus D's could be had for less than 2k....not really seeing those at the moment. Higher grade guns I have no clue about as I will never own one...but don't worry others my age will.

[Eldon Goddard]

As a Parker enthusiast in his 20's, yes if only for another 4 months, I have done my best to interest people my age in vintage doubles even if I have literally had to give them away, no joke. I have never had anyone that I have taken shooting not immediately fall in love with these guns. You just can not compare a modern gun to a vintage side by side, but every time I ask why they do not get into vintage side by sides the answer is always the same.. money.

[Henry Verri]

If the new administration passes the proposed import tariffs of up to 35%, Would it greatly increase the value of imported guns if included in such regulations. Also would it give a small spike in value to all Parkers and USA made guns? Just wondering, and waiting for pundit replies and guidance.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Bill Holcombe

You all must remember that yall got into buying these guns when they were pennies on the dollar compared to what these guns are selling for now.

I think you paint with much too broad of a brush. I began actually collecting only sixteen years ago (though I had been shooting Parkers off and on since about 1960) and many of us began even more recently than that.

Some of you lose context of how you started collecting these toys and what prices/stage in life you were at.

The very first Parker I bought was a 1898 DH 12 gauge for the sum of $2,000. and it was not easy to convince my very frugal wife of the 'necessity' for such an extravagance.

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[King Cobb]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

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Yes Dean, but if you started 16 years ago, you weren't the young crowd which I was explaining not having the discretionary income to buy these guns at the moment. You were at a later stage in life and felt like you had some money.