Not really sure what forum category this thread would fall under, so here goes. I have a question regarding the availability of antique/old firearms. Is the availability generally cyclical in nature? Or is the supply of old firearms simply drying up? Specifically, I'm in the market for a Gewehr 98, not a K98k. Thank you all for your input.
Gun availability
- Thread starter cjl8651
- Start date
- Status
6_gunner
Member
Unlike the '30s-'50s vintage milsurp rifles, I don't believe there have been a whole lot of antique rifles imported recently. Therefore, the market is probably pretty stable. Guns get bought and sold, but there isn't a supply that is "drying up" as is the case with the milsurp weapons that were imported in huge numbers in the past.
There might be cycles in the market, as you suggest, as interest in antique guns waxes and wanes.
There might be cycles in the market, as you suggest, as interest in antique guns waxes and wanes.
Nicodemus38
Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2009
- Messages
- 583
well you have to realize that the following items pertain to every item that can be collected.
1. how many were produced?
-if 30,000 were made chances are that many will have been deemed unusable and destroyed in the 90 years since they were made.
2. how many exist?
-if all 30,000 rifles that were made still exist, its easier to find one somewhere. if only 10,000 survived the 90 years since manufacture, it will be hard to find.
3. were are the surplus weapons at this time?
-importation laws prohibit various countries from sending weapons into the free world. as a result if the weapon is in a prohibited import country, you cant get it.
4. the importation of old guns is cyclical. for example if the intended customer segment is 20 year old idiots who want semi autos, the import companies will grab all the old semi auto aks and sks they can find. and leave bolt guns alone.
1. how many were produced?
-if 30,000 were made chances are that many will have been deemed unusable and destroyed in the 90 years since they were made.
2. how many exist?
-if all 30,000 rifles that were made still exist, its easier to find one somewhere. if only 10,000 survived the 90 years since manufacture, it will be hard to find.
3. were are the surplus weapons at this time?
-importation laws prohibit various countries from sending weapons into the free world. as a result if the weapon is in a prohibited import country, you cant get it.
4. the importation of old guns is cyclical. for example if the intended customer segment is 20 year old idiots who want semi autos, the import companies will grab all the old semi auto aks and sks they can find. and leave bolt guns alone.
Deanimator
Member
In my experience, GEW98s, especially those in nice condition, have been scarce for a long, long time. I can speak only in terms of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
- Status