doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Liquidating Guns

I was shooting with a regular in our group. We rotate on occasion or need.
Wealthy older guy.

He said he liquidated 142 guns at the top of the market 2012-18 out of his collection and has simplified because of his age.

He mentioned a few, but not all SO5s, high value 21s (sold one for 42k) and some double rifles.

His estimation is the market is dead, never to come back.

"All the collectors such as himself have died or lost interest"

It was clear his kids and Grandkids did not want any.

Nice stuff still sells, but, he is probably right.

Best,
Ted

That has not been my experience at all. Off from the peak? Certainly. Dead? Hardly. I had my best year ever in 2023 and this year is looking quite good. Good stuff sells and brings good money.

I too believe the market has changed. I saw it coming years ago.

I had clients who were strong buyers but they got older, began to have medical issues and just not able to get out, or had all they needed and had not used what the got

John
Arrieta

You would think there would be some bargains then but in one case I know of, the estate took a large # to a dealer and set the price. They don't care how long they sit there on consignment

Over a year ago, I was in the gun liquidating mood and enlisted the aid of Lock Stock and Barrel auctioneers to dispose of 18 long guns and a revolver. The guns were picked up by LSB on their established eastern USA route in mid April and sold at auction on GB in June and I received my check in July. Had i tried to sell them on my own, it would have been a long and miserable project. I had sold 4 guns on my own quickly and had given away to a young friend 3 turkey guns all pumps. LSB didn't charge for pick up, but charged 25% on the sale to me. Buyer didn't have a premium to pay. Some guns went lower than I had hoped, but some higher than I hoped. All auctions start at a penny with no reserve. Three of the guns I sold on my own were to an Ohioan. Postage for each gun, registered mail, was about $90 per gun. One of the owners of LSB picked up the guns at my home. Surprisingly, he told me that some of the high bidders on guns know nothing about guns, but target auction items that have high activity which he believes causes the buyer to believe that the gun could be resold at a later time privately for a profit. Point being that while boomers may still buy quality guns, that isn't the only interest in them. Gil

It certainly seems that way at my club anyway.
People used to ooh and aah over unusual or interesting guns.

Seldom occurs anymore.

I actually had someone complain to the club manager about being squadded with someone shooting an old relic of a shotgun.

I’m pretty sure that as the boomers die off the amount of un wanted stuff coming onto the market, or going to the landfill will be huge.

My wife and I are settling our affairs right now, and our kids want nothing. It’s hard to formulate a plan of disposition, and to let go of stuff.

I can be your kid. Let me know.

You might have to take some stuff in trade.

Best,
Ted

Maybe I will be able to buy myself a serviceable pre-war H&H Royal for $3k for my 50th, in 8 or so years. Wishful thinking most likely.

In the meantime, I am more concerned about my aging gunsmith, and the comparable ages of all the alternatives.

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