Replicas

[MI2600]

I have recently purchased some replicas by Uberti. They seem to be well-made and worthy of the cost. But, in the long run, will they appreciate or become boat anchors economically?

 

[owlhoot]

No. They are well made and worth the cost generally, but don't expect any appreciation. Actually, you can expect to lose a little when you sell them.

 

[GRIZ22]

Depends on how long you keep a gun. Any quality firearm will appreciate over time, some more than others. The Model 10 S&W I bought new for $80 back in the 70s will return several times that if I were inclined to sell it. An Uberti SAA that costs 350 today may be worth 500 in 10 years while a genuine Colt might be worth several times it's original price.

 

[AlexanderA]

The resale value of Ubertis (and other modern replicas) depends largely on the price of new ones. Used Ubertis will never exceed the price of new, current-production Ubertis. If a model is discontinued (say, like a replica Paterson), the price of used ones will go up. Also, the foreign-exchange rate (dollar versus euro) has a big effect.

We saw what happened when Miroku (Japan) stopped producing replica M1861 and M1863 rifle-muskets. They became very valuable to reenactors and collectors, because they are more faithful to the originals than the Italian replicas. Same when the Euroarms muskets were discontinued, since they are (slightly) more authentic than the Armi Sports (Chiappas). I believe that Ubertis are more faithful to the Colt originals than some of their other Italian competitors. So that could also be important in the future.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Generally replicas don't appreciate. If they do they don't appreciate a lot. There is an exception for almost everything though. For example, a Norinco 1911 is a replica of a USGI 1911. They have appreciated in value mostly because they closely resemble the material and manufacturing process that was used to build the original. Essentially the same firearm built in another country. Replicas almost never are exact copies of the firearm they are trying resemble. Material and manufacturing processes are the reason.

 

[bannockburn]

Depending on how well you take care of it also would be a future consideration as to worth, along with time of production. Generally speaking an Uberti copy of a Colt SAA is going to depreciate in value but there may be a certain limited run or some discontinued models that might appreciate in value over time. Basically when you're buying an Uberti you're buying a decent single action revolver that you're going to use and enjoy, but not really as a collectors piece.

 

[MAKster]

Not sure if you are talking about the cap and ball repos or something like the SAA. Used Blackpowder firearms sell for way below the new price.

 

[Tommygunn]

Uberti makes nice reproductions, and I have a good collection of cap & ball revolvers they make. However I agree with those that say they won't appreciate very much and are likely to actually go down in value as they age and are used.
IF you have a rare one (like the Patterson mentioned) and the model is discontinued, then >>>>maybe<<< it will appreciate.
These are guns intended to be used and shot for sporting purposes.
Not collected for monetary gain.

 

[hso]

Depends upon how accurately they replicate the original and whether they're in production and how much demand is for them in the face of current production at the time.

If they're higher quality, faithful reproductions, and no longer in production they'll go up a bit, but they can never be like non reproduction firearms for investment value.

 

[Willie Sutton]

"Generally replicas don't appreciate. If they do they don't appreciate a lot."


Within Uberti, what appreciates is discontinued models (probably the same as any maker). Their Colt Patterson replicas sell now for about 5X the last listed new price. But as long as they are in production, your used Uberti is just a used (depreciating) Uberti.


Willie

.

 

[AlexanderA]

You have to look at the time frame. 100 years from now, after Uberti goes out of business (or stops producing replicas), there will probably be collectors of replicas, and they will be willing to pay a lot of money for mint, unfired specimens. But by that time we will all be dead.

Here's what you do -- buy a bunch of Uberti replicas, coat them in preservative grease, seal them in plastic, and store them with their original boxes. (It goes without saying that you don't even think about firing them, or turning the cylinders.) Then you put them in a vault with instructions to your grandchildren to check the market and clean up on their inheritance.

That's called "playing the long game." What could go wrong?

 

[astra600]

What could go wrong in 100 years? No 2nd amendment.

 

[Tommygunn]

"Generally replicas don't appreciate. If they do they don't appreciate a lot."


Within Uberti, what appreciates is discontinued models (probably the same as any maker). Their Colt Patterson replicas sell now for about 5X the last listed new price. But as long as they are in production, your used Uberti is just a used (depreciating) Uberti.


Willie

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He he he ... I have a Uberti Colt Patterson. Unfired ....

 

[MI2600]

Thanks for the replies. I can see the logic of depreciation, but I think the same could be said for many new guns, no matter the manufacturer.

I have already purchased the Uberti 1890 Remington, 1858 Remington, and the Schofield, all new, and all in the ever-popular 44-40. I currently have an interest in two 38-40s. One is an original Colt New Service, the other a used Uberti. The Colt is $200 more, but I haven't been able to inspect it yet.

 

[slumlord44]

Inflation makes it happen. The Japanese copies of the Browning .22 Automatic's from several years back bring more now than they did new. Mainly because of inflation and the fact that they quit making them also. The real Brownings have gone up a lot more.

 

[Trueno]

What could go wrong in 100 years? No 2nd amendment.

and no 45 Colt brass.

 

[galena]

I don't buy firearms hoping that they appreciate in value. I buy them because I want them.

 

[Willie Sutton]

Thanks for the replies. I can see the logic of depreciation, but I think the same could be said for many new guns, no matter the manufacturer.


These ARE just new guns, and are subject to EXACTLY the same economic laws. They are worth less used than new, and will stay that way as long as new ones are built. Any appreciation only occurs after production ends, which isn't a very likely possibility with Uberti.


Willie

.

 

[mboylan]

Generally replicas don't appreciate. If they do they don't appreciate a lot. There is an exception for almost everything though. For example, a Norinco 1911 is a replica of a USGI 1911. They have appreciated in value mostly because they closely resemble the material and manufacturing process that was used to build the original. Essentially the same firearm built in another country. Replicas almost never are exact copies of the firearm they are trying resemble. Material and manufacturing processes are the reason.

They have appreciated in value because they were banned in 1993.

 

[Sunray]

"...a Norinco 1911 is a replica of a USGI 1911..." Nope, it's a copy.
Uberti's aren't exactly replicas or copies(no .357 mag or .38 Special in 1873). Despite what Uberti says. Both will increase in value the same way any commercial firearm does. Just really slowly with no collector value.

 

[Black Knight]

I can't speak about the possible appreciation in price but I can address the quality issue. I have seen a few Ubertis and they are well make replicas. They should be their parent company is Beretta.

 

[Willie Sutton]

Uberti's aren't exactly replicas or copies

Depends on what you are looking at.

Their black powder line are very accurate copies.

And to pick nits, the .357 1873 is something that Cold themselves made, albeit late in the Peacemakers production lifetime.


Willie

.

 

[CoalTrain49]

"...a Norinco 1911 is a replica of a USGI 1911..." Nope, it's a copy.

What's the difference?

They have appreciated in value because they were banned in 1993.

Another reason that I forgot about.

Within Uberti, what appreciates is discontinued models (probably the same as any maker). Their Colt Patterson replicas sell now for about 5X the last listed new price. But as long as they are in production, your used Uberti is just a used (depreciating) Uberti.

If Uberti is still in business and they decide to produce the Colt Patterson replica again what happens to the value of the existing replicas? Or say Colt decides to have Uberti build a replica and market it using the Colt trademark. My point is that unless you are holding an original Colt Patterson the likelihood that another clone, replica, copy or whatever you want to call it, will come along and unseat your investment. Not a good idea to depend on replicas to increase in value.

 

[Willie Sutton]

^

Same paradigm as any other firearm.

Willie

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