I don't know of gold being a good investment, Lowell, but my bet would be more on Parkers over time, particularly for those who just keep their eyes and ears open, talk and dream of them. In my experience, really good deals crop up in unexpected places every couple years.

I'm seeing the opposite here from US reports that gun sales are going through the roof. The guns-for-sale columns here are running two columns in trade magazines. Joe Salter, a Nova Scotian with offices here and US, reports booming business. As an investment, I'd go Parker before gold.