+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 3 of 3

Thread: Mil Surp investment?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Moderator
    (Edged Weapons Forum)
    sdh1911's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    02-23-2016 @ 03:41 PM
    Location
    Stanhope, New Jersey
    Age
    67
    Posts
    927
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:28 PM

    Mil Surp investment?

    I've been a working gunsmith for well over 20 years. I've been collecting U.S. Military guns for near as long. For about the last five years I have found the cost of collectable grade guns has gotten very expensive, so has shooting U.S. mil. ammo. Around May of last year I got to know a guy up at the range where I shoot at and he asked me why I bothered collecting something that has such little room to actually increase in value, hum, point taken. Since then I have re-defined the boundries of my collection to include anything that has been military issued or used by the military of any country in there persuit of marksmanship. So far to date I have purchaced 8 assorted versions of the 91/30, including Finnishicon guns as well as a real nice WW II period Izzy PU sniper (not import). A real nice shooting Hakem 8 mm. A Lithgowicon Mk1 #III, a Savage Mk4 No1, 4 assorted versions of the 98 Mausers, A Swissicon K31 (I'm looking into a K11), Swedishicon M96, M96/38, CG 80, Norma target gun and a real nice FSR, two Jap 99's and last but not least 3 AR-15's (previously off the map because of the caliber). I've done all this for what I would have spent on 2 or 3 of WW II M1icon Garands and as far as the cost to shoot them, there is no comparision.

    I am going at this collecting with conviction. I'm finding it a load of fun to both own and shoot. To say the least I am very happy for making the switch. Now as far as the investment side of it, I suppose having seen what happen to the price of the Siamese Mausers I may be actually making a sound investment, But, I guess time will tell. I only buy guns with above average bore coindition and sound from a structual sense. I only repair what is broken and keep them in original condition. I guess I got the milsurp bug. I'm not sure what will be the next in the safe, but, I'm pretty sure it will be milsurp, Can anybody out there relate?-SDH
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Senior Moderator
    (Founding Partner)


    Site Founder
    Claven2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    08-24-2024 @ 08:11 AM
    Location
    Scandaltown, Ontario
    Posts
    3,242
    Real Name
    Ronald
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:28 PM
    There is ALOT to be said for buying up ALOT of whatever's currently inexpensive. Many of the best collections out there were put together this way 20 years ago.

    In 20 years, the younger guys who have put together a really nice Mosin collection will be laughing as their rifles increase in value. Guys who did this with nice, non-Indian refurb Enfields 5-10 years ago saw their collections often quadruple in value.

    Guys who collected Arisakas 10-20 years ago bought them for around $30-50 each. Now an original sling sells for $300 and truely nice examples of some Arisakas sell in the thousands of dollars (like a mint type 44 or 99 paratroop).

    When Finn rifles are done at retail there won;t be any more and coparatively few were made. Watch for these to skyrocket in value - it's already begun. Anyone remember $70 M24's and $99 M39's just 2 years ago?

    Your US weapons will go up, but they won't double in value any time soon. $1000 is already alot to pay for a nothing-special correct WW2 M1icon They made millions of them, and alot are around. Yes, they will more than keep pace with inflation - but other guns have far more top-end space at this time.
    Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз!

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Oatmeal Savage's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last On
    11-26-2016 @ 11:10 PM
    Location
    British Columbia
    Posts
    187
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:28 PM
    Interesting post and response, good information for the novice, me, collector. I have thought of collecting MN's but they don't, and I quote from the bible, turn my crank. I have one which is the most accurate milsurp I have. I will say that the Finns have some of the most unusual wood I have ever seem.
    Last edited by Oatmeal Savage; 11-11-2006 at 04:23 PM.

+ Reply to Thread

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts