Outdoor Canada’s gun guy appraises your vintage firearms

COLLECTOR’S CORNER

It’s fun to speculate which firearms will be considered collectibles a couple of generations from now. Can you imagine if your great-granddad had bought a Winchester 1886, Parker shotgun or Colt Single-Action Army and it had been kept it in mint condition to this day?

Realistically, a firearm you buy new today is unlikely to become collectible in your lifetime, though if you’re young and a bit lucky, it can happen. Some 45 years ago, for example, I bought a Winchester 9422M for about $90. Though I used it regularly, I took special care to keep it in top condition and even today, it looks almost new. I’m sure I could get at least $900 to $1,000 for it at an auction. I like the idea of a firearm I can use, enjoy and someday sell without losing too much money or, better yet, pass on to the next generation.

This Winchester 1892 Short Rifle in .357 Magnum is a good example. These modern replicas made by Miroku of Japan are not cheap, but they’re beautifully made and finished. High-quality reproductions of classic rifles have long been sold under both the Browning and Winchester names, and some of the early ones are already appreciating in value. I don’t expect this 1892 to become collectible in my lifetime, but if I take care of it, I can still shoot it and not lose too much on the resale. And who knows, a future generation of my family may even make some money on it.