Went to a gun show in Belleville, IL (south-western IL, just across the river from St Louis) this morning, saw 2 Krags from the same dealer, both overpriced in my opinion. Both 1898's, one oriiginal, very nice $1100, the other not quite as nice, but close, a cut-down rifle, $850. Both well above my interest level in $$.
I'm still looking for that 1896 Krag original stock and handguard set for $150. I know, just dreaming....
An observation about gun shows in my area (Southern Illinois and SE Missouri), fewer vendors,the show today was only about 2/3 normal size, empty tables in a typically sold-out show, and when I drove in about 11AM parking lot was only about half full for that time of morning. In addition, some vendors were not particularly eager to deal. They seemed adamant to bargain or negotiate at all with prices. Maybe Illinois politics (i.e. recent gun dealer licensing legislation, among other affronts to believers in the Second Amendment) has discouraged dealers and enthusiasts.
I can recall an artist's rendering in a gun magazine years ago of a very happy fellow loaded down with treasures (helmet, rifle, webgear etc. with the caption "Coming Home from the
Gun show". Not any more, for me at least - I came home today completely empty-handed.
Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
Re: Krag Finds in Gin Show Today
I don't go much out of my way for gun shows anymore. There may be some willingness, as far as I've seen, to negotiate but usually from extremely high starting prices. Too many ARs in weird configurations and occasionally a nice Garand or M1903A3 for a ridiculous price. They've lost me for now.
Re: Krag Finds in Gin Show Today
Belleville is just a hop across the river from me.
Glad I didnt go!
I do make it to the flea market in Belleville every few months. Ive picked up a couple knick-knacks there but nothing to write home about.
Im a collector but also a dealer. Since I buy from auctions for my inventory, I find it really difficult to pay full retail even for something I want for my personal collection.
And as youve seen, gun shows are retail plus 20%. Sad times.
Glad I didnt go!
I do make it to the flea market in Belleville every few months. Ive picked up a couple knick-knacks there but nothing to write home about.
Im a collector but also a dealer. Since I buy from auctions for my inventory, I find it really difficult to pay full retail even for something I want for my personal collection.
And as youve seen, gun shows are retail plus 20%. Sad times.
Re: Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
My last gun show purchase in northern Illinois was this past Spring. I started the discussion with "why you selling this gun so cheap?" ;D Then he made me a deal I couldn't refuse. Looking at similar guns on the net I feel I did better than OK.
Re: Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
The gun shows by me are like small museums. Displays of things that are nice to look at but so over priced they may as well not be for sale. The internet sites do not help this. Just because someone somewhere pays a inflated price for an item does not mean that is its value. Try and tell that to the seller though. I think that is part of the reason show attendance is down. I do not waste my time trying to beat some sellers iPhone to get a deal. Boy, I must have woke up cranky today.
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Dick Hosmer
- Posts: 2286
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:11 pm
Re: Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
I hardly ever go to shows anymore. Granted, I have relocated to a small town in northern CA farming country, where the biggest shooting discipline is duck hunting. The local shows are small, poorly attended, and what space there is is largely filled with black rifles, plastic pistols, jerky, tee-shirts, and antique china/furniture/etc.
I built my entire collection from GOOD shows in the SF Bay Area in the 70's and 80's. You would not believe what used to show up. Most of my collector friends have passed, so when I return to my old haunts, all I see is ghosts (and more %$#$^#%$^ black rifles).
Am about ready to start hanging it up. I plan to prepare a list of items for sale over the winter. I WILL be parting with one of my 26" rifles, but have not decided which. Paring down to 75 SA-made arms will be fairly easy, the next step - 50 - will be harder, and my final goal - the 25 best* or most interesting - will be VERY hard. :'(
Will be keeping MY Chaffee-Reece!
I built my entire collection from GOOD shows in the SF Bay Area in the 70's and 80's. You would not believe what used to show up. Most of my collector friends have passed, so when I return to my old haunts, all I see is ghosts (and more %$#$^#%$^ black rifles).
Am about ready to start hanging it up. I plan to prepare a list of items for sale over the winter. I WILL be parting with one of my 26" rifles, but have not decided which. Paring down to 75 SA-made arms will be fairly easy, the next step - 50 - will be harder, and my final goal - the 25 best* or most interesting - will be VERY hard. :'(
Will be keeping MY Chaffee-Reece!
Re: Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
Will be keeping MY Chaffee-Reece!
;D
Ive enjoyed your book so far. Thanks again!
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butlersrangers
- Posts: 9880
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:35 pm
- Location: Below the Bridge, Michigan
Re: Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
I have belonged to gun collecting clubs in Michigan, since I was 16 years old. It was always common to quickly pass tables that had little to attract my specific interests. But, I could always find something at a show that was desirable and a good value. (Even though, I often didn't have the resources to buy it).
My 'Buddy' and I have always done well 'Selling'. We periodically cull things from our accumulation and have reasonable prices.
Last week, I had a week-end table at the "Michigan Antique Arms Collectors" show. Table fees have jumped from $50 to $75. I did not see much business going on in regard to gun sales. Growing expenses and lack of action may hurt the size of shows.
The MAAC has become a smaller, lightly attended show, and the population in attendance is aging, (compared to the past). There were not many, under age 55, attendees.
We recouped our table fees on gun sights, collector ammo, manuals, and accessories. My sales were mainly to fellow table holders. The younger people did not seem to have much knowledge, interest, or money.
There were lots of antique guns, but, prices were largely unreasonable. I had some good conversations and learned a few things, but, my purchases were a Mills buckle and some parts.
It was surprising how many 'Walkers' and 'Amigo vehicles' were in use. Our 'fraternity' has aged and not attracted younger members.
'Black Rifles' are not allowed at this show, but, the antique stuff is not great and over-priced. The best items are on 'display' and NFS.
I believe the internet has greatly changed arms and parts sales and the quality of items at a gun show. In recent times, I have had the most success on the internet and at the local gun shop.
My interests have changed over the years. I have never had the wonderful focus and collecting discipline exhibited by Dick Hosmer!
I have been a 'generalist', drawn to some historic military guns and accessories, some hunting guns, certain handguns, and some target arms.
My 'Buddy' and I have always done well 'Selling'. We periodically cull things from our accumulation and have reasonable prices.
Last week, I had a week-end table at the "Michigan Antique Arms Collectors" show. Table fees have jumped from $50 to $75. I did not see much business going on in regard to gun sales. Growing expenses and lack of action may hurt the size of shows.
The MAAC has become a smaller, lightly attended show, and the population in attendance is aging, (compared to the past). There were not many, under age 55, attendees.
We recouped our table fees on gun sights, collector ammo, manuals, and accessories. My sales were mainly to fellow table holders. The younger people did not seem to have much knowledge, interest, or money.
There were lots of antique guns, but, prices were largely unreasonable. I had some good conversations and learned a few things, but, my purchases were a Mills buckle and some parts.
It was surprising how many 'Walkers' and 'Amigo vehicles' were in use. Our 'fraternity' has aged and not attracted younger members.
'Black Rifles' are not allowed at this show, but, the antique stuff is not great and over-priced. The best items are on 'display' and NFS.
I believe the internet has greatly changed arms and parts sales and the quality of items at a gun show. In recent times, I have had the most success on the internet and at the local gun shop.
My interests have changed over the years. I have never had the wonderful focus and collecting discipline exhibited by Dick Hosmer!
I have been a 'generalist', drawn to some historic military guns and accessories, some hunting guns, certain handguns, and some target arms.
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Dick Hosmer
- Posts: 2286
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:11 pm
Re: Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
Interesting take, which I'm sure could easily describe the situations of many of us, and, thanks for the compliment. I HAD to be disciplined because resources were aways scarce - there are a lot of 'vacations not taken' sitting in my rack.
Re: Krag Finds in Gun Show Today
Dick,
You are facing a situation that many of us (or our spouses!) will have to deal with at some time in the future- how to best dispose of our firearm collection.
Auctions are terrible for the seller generally. Auction houses charge 25-30% commission to sell and are up to 20-25% buyer's premium charge in addition to "handling" charges added if they package and ship the firearm. So, auction companies are making around 50% of the sale price of these firearms sold! Amazing.
Selling on Gun Broker is not bad but they charge around 10% of the selling price. A local gun show is good but you don't have the national exposure like an online auction or Gun Broker has.
But, if you have owned these for a while, they have undoubtably increased in value. So, a little cost for selling them isn't bad. If you sell them, though, you probably don't want to give them away. You, like most of us, will want to get a fair current price for them.
I, honestly, am always looking for a bargain. I mostly search and search for a piece that has hidden value and rarely want to pay full price for an item. If I was collecting and trying to fill all of the types of a specific series or model, I may want to pay full price or more for that one piece I need to fill a hole.
So, I wish you well in figuring out what approach you will take to start selling your hard-earned collection. What you choose to do might help us decide how we deal with the same situation in the future!
You are facing a situation that many of us (or our spouses!) will have to deal with at some time in the future- how to best dispose of our firearm collection.
Auctions are terrible for the seller generally. Auction houses charge 25-30% commission to sell and are up to 20-25% buyer's premium charge in addition to "handling" charges added if they package and ship the firearm. So, auction companies are making around 50% of the sale price of these firearms sold! Amazing.
Selling on Gun Broker is not bad but they charge around 10% of the selling price. A local gun show is good but you don't have the national exposure like an online auction or Gun Broker has.
But, if you have owned these for a while, they have undoubtably increased in value. So, a little cost for selling them isn't bad. If you sell them, though, you probably don't want to give them away. You, like most of us, will want to get a fair current price for them.
I, honestly, am always looking for a bargain. I mostly search and search for a piece that has hidden value and rarely want to pay full price for an item. If I was collecting and trying to fill all of the types of a specific series or model, I may want to pay full price or more for that one piece I need to fill a hole.
So, I wish you well in figuring out what approach you will take to start selling your hard-earned collection. What you choose to do might help us decide how we deal with the same situation in the future!