Hypothetical values of Milsurps

[cracked butt]

Looking back we all seem to assume that Milsurps guns tend to go up in value, especially once they are no longer ubiquitously available.

I had an interesting thought today about the future value of many milsurps, especially the high quality ones, barring any outside social influences like disasters, civil unrest, and new gun control laws.

It seems that huge numbers of milsurps are in the hands of WWII,post WWII, and Baby Boomer generations- in particular, Springfields, Garands, German Mausers, South American Mausers, 1911s, Lugers, and other items currently of high value. What happens in 20 years or so when these people start dying off in huge numbers? Many of these items are going to be in Wills or otherwise handed down to future generations, but I believe 100s of thousands of these items are going to flood the market as the largest age demographic of our population experiences failing eyesight, health, high medical costs, and death.
Couple this idea with the idea that there are a lot of collectors in these generations that not only have decent sized colections but also have had the ethic that 'historical' items shouldn't be tampered with.

Right now prices for high quality milsurps seem to be the highest ever despite the relatively high production numbers, especially U.S. issued equipment. I wonder if we will even see a glut, and wonder if hording available rifles like Garands and M1 carbines is wise.

 

[justin 561]

It's all about the supply and demand, you demand, they supply.

 

[10X]

I would disagree.

Remember they aren't making any more of these. Fire, flood and the ravages of time reduce the numbers available.

The general population will increase and there will be continued interest in those gun we now find interesting.

Fewer guns, increased interest and general inflation will cause the values to go up. As you said barring law changes.

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

I have often thought the same thing. Seems I can't find a good 1903a3 anywhere reasonably. I see this and how the CMP had them at one time. Let's just say I've acquired 3 Garands since January and plenty of Greek HXP to feed them for some time to come.

Between the pure enjoyment and historical significance of these rifles, I choose to gather up what I can so I can share it all with my future children and hopefully my grandchildren.

 

[Chipperman]

A large number of the Offspring of the Greatest Generation have been successfully indoctrinated in to the Anti-Gun Culture.

This means when they inherit Dad's eeevil baby-killing war machine from long-past Wars, they will take them down the the Police Station to be destroyed post-haste.

We will lose a lot of nice guns this way.

 

[cracked butt]

A large number of the Offspring of the Greatest Generation have been successfully indoctrinated in to the Anti-Gun Culture.

This means when they inherit Dad's eeevil baby-killing war machine from long-past Wars, they will take them down the the Police Station to be destroyed post-haste.

We will lose a lot of nice guns this way.

I didn't even think of that side of it, but good point.

My Grandfather had his Colt .38 revolver that he carried on his B-25 in WWII, it belongs to my Grandmother now.
He also had a few really nice rifles and shotguns. One of my deadbeat uncles 'borrowed' a pre-war Win model 12 and pawned it- my mother was pissed, I hope something like that doesn't happen to his Colt.

 

[Gordon Fink]

If, in 50 years, only grandfathered guns can be legally transferred, any firearm will be very valuable. If the U.S. becomes a post-Heller right-to-arms utopia, our old surplus firearms may prove to be a very poor investment.

I hope my children will inherit a bunch of worthless junk.

~G. Fink