Reno Gun Show

[chuck in idaho]

Spent Friday and Saturday at the Big Reno Gun Show. There were a lot of Krag rifles and Carbines there. The best deals were on the rifles. One very nice `92/96 and several nice `96's and `98's. Prices were in the $800 to $1300 range.
The carbines were a big disapointment. All of them had issues, most of the carbines were built on rifle receivers or were cut down rifles with `03 front sights. Asking prices were $650 to $3000.
One interesting `96 carbine as the seller pointed out was a "Rough Rider" carbine because the serial number was close to other known RR carbine serial numbers The stock was of interest because it was a thick wrist with 3 cleaning rod holes and NOT cut for the oiler. Would have been a nice carbine except for the fact it had a rifle rear sight, ring cut off of the bar and 2 holes drilled for a scope mount in the receiver. Asking price was only $3000 dollars!

Also 3 Krag Bowie bayonets were there. One sold before I seen it for $2500 (IIRC). Prices on the other two were $1800 for one without scabbard and one with a dented up scabbard for $1500. Would have picked this one up but I have one already.

FWIW
cii

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[jon_norstog]

Chuck, list:

This is pretty interesting. It doesn't look like the economy is shaking any collectible krags loose or affecting prices, or even toning down the brass-balled approach of some sellers. Thanks for the report.

I had hoped hard times might shake loose a nice Selmer Mark VI tenor sax, or maybe a Buescher Top Hat and Cane ... collectors have snapped up the nicest old musical instruments. Unlike rifles, which they are still building good ones, this is not the cas with wind and reed instruments. Most of those guys can't play a note.

It isn't just guns, I like nice, old things that were well made to begin with and have some history as well. I like to use them and I like to think about the guys who used them before me, wonder about them, who they were, what became of them.

jn

[chuck in idaho]

Hi Jon
With all of the lay-offs in this area I thought more collectable stuff be up for sale or in the Pawn Shops. So far that has not been the case.

cii

[jon_norstog]

Chuck,

I'm trying to figure that one out, too. Usually when times get tough people turn loose of their toys. Past hard times, I've seen Harleys galore for sale cheap, and firewood gets really cheap 'cause of all the out-of-work guys cutting it to make a few $$.

This doesn't seem to be happening, at least not yet. Maybe the people that have these things look at them as their ace in the hole, kind of like having a stack of Krugerrands. Or maybe things haven't begun to bite yet. I would be a little hesitant to turn loose of an investment that had been appreciating, what? 10-15% a year? I read that the antique car auctions are doing pretty well too - the most collectible stuff is in even more demand than ever.

It could mean a lot of things, I guess. What I'm thinking is maybe it means canned goods are a pretty good investment. But also I think it means that the really good stuff will continue to appreciate, while a lot of people may end up holding junk they can't get out from under.

just a few random thoughts, anyway

jn