Where's the collecting end?

[1900colt]

Have you ever gotten to that point where you are content with your personal collection? Was there ever that one or 2 guns you really really wanted... then get them and there's not much left out there that will get you that "high" from chasing and getting the rare or unique thing you want.

There's a lot of guns I still "need" for certain reasons, and will definitely try to aquire them...but I can't think of anymore that I "want" for myself, with the possible exception of a certain Globe model.

Definitely glad to have aquired the ones I have though... and to have an end goal for it all in future makes it worthwhile.

[Hoosier Daddy]

Yeah, I am pretty satisfied with my current stable.
 Sure there are some out there I still want "someday" but haven't bought one in a while.
I pretty much have all the boxes checked on Airguns for a specific purpose and in recent years tell myself "If I get another somethings gotta go." but I don't want to part with one I have just yet.
Now if I stumble across a Webley Tempest / Hurricane pistol in excellent shape for a fair price, I may eat my own words. 

[Back_Roads]

 Not yet But I plan on it Not many antique ones in my assortment, but I have managed to get some rare birds that will gain value in the future.
 I can just begin to imagine your collection from the Rare ones I have seen you come up with in the past few years.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I decided a couple of years back that If I was going to spend money collecting air rifles I'd try to buy vintage guns that might appreciate.  So I've been splitting my purchases between contemporary guns and classics.  Crosman pump guns are cheap and available so that's where I've been concentrating.  I've now collected all the guns I lusted after in my youth.  But in doing so I discovered several more that I'd like to collect.  Next on the list is a Crosman Model 140 and a model 1.

[bantam5s]

I'll be done when there's no more guns on my list that are financially viable or I just feel like I have more than I can shoot, because I don't like accumulating things ( aside from tools, because life decides when they get used) of quality and worth using that I rarely use due to having too many.

[45flint]

Interesting thoughts, my collection has filled out to the point there are just a few examples that I would be interested in.  My objective this year is to reduce my collection and to sell at the next airgun show many of the examples that I no longer wish to collect.  Ironically most of those are American cause my collection is now centered on prewar European.  My journey has been one of collecting many types but as time went on my interests started to really narrow. 

[buellm2]

 At the beginning of my adult interest in AGs, I wanted to own and shoot a few AGs that interested me when I was younger but couldn't afford.   I also wanted to own a decent 10M rifle and pistol for indoor winter shooting competition.   I've pretty much done that and picked up a few other random ones along the way.   Unfortunately as my AG knowledge expanded from zero to neophyte I discovered that there were other interesting AGs.   I'm resisting the primitive urge to find and buy them.   I still "neeed" a FWB 300 though.

[xcalibur]

Have you ever gotten to that point where you are content with your personal collection? Was there ever that one or 2 guns you really really wanted... then get them and there's not much left out there that will get you that "high" from chasing and getting the rare or unique thing you want.

There's a lot of guns I still "need" for certain reasons, and will definitely try to aquire them...but I can't think of anymore that I "want" for myself, with the possible exception of a certain Globe model.

Definitely glad to have aquired the ones I have though... and to have an end goal for it all in future makes it worthwhile.

Finding better examples of each model, type, and variant is another consideration, even if you already have all that your heart desires. Therefore, no, it doesn't seem like it will end. LOL

[plymouthairrifle]

I will admit I am a collector.   As such I do not know the difference between WANT AND NEED!!!   There are still several airguns that I have needed (WANTED) for years.  I also know I may never find them.    When I was a young collector I saw an old guy at a flea market pulling an oxygen tank behind him.  He must have been looking for that piece that had always eluded him.  I told Theresa at the time "that's going to be me someday!"    Some of you guys remember Roger Blaisdale, he was still looking for "that gun". into his 90s.  As long as we enjoy these guns, why stop looking!

[1900colt]

I will admit I am a collector.   As such I do not know the difference between WANT AND NEED!!!   There are still several airguns that I have needed (WANTED) for years.  I also know I may never find them.    When I was a young collector I saw an old guy at a flea market pulling an oxygen tank behind him.  He must have been looking for that piece that had always eluded him.  I told Theresa at the time "that's going to be me someday!"    Some of you guys remember Roger Blaisdale, he was still looking for "that gun". into his 90s.  As long as we enjoy these guns, why stop looking!

Perfect example of this.. passed up 2 PIW guns recently, both sold reasonably. An earlier 1st model and a 2nd model.  Threw a few bids but I didn't really care if I won. Hindsight, they would of been great flippers depending on how high the other bidder would of went🤣.

Last year I manged to knock the 3 guns off my list that I know would be very hard to top the high of the chase.

Guess I'm a window shopper now and until I see something that I really really want I am good.

I need certain pieces to fill gaps in collections... that is where the collecting part comes in.  There's no real high in the chase, just filling the collection gaps. So I'll still be a collector for as long as I can tell. I love the history, and really like the craftsman ship of the antiques. Holding a cheaply made tin plate gun and realizing it survived the abuse of 8 year old boys for over a hundred years is always impressive too. And at the same time, picking up a beautifully engraved antique is just as impressive.

There are only a other few guns that would fill the high... they are litterly 10's of thousands of dollars, and it is totally unrealistic in acquiring those pieces. Unless I win the lottery or find a WAY better job!

The collecting part comes with the buying and trading too. It's so bad, I can't even walk in this house anymore.. lol.  Thankfully much of it can get moved over to the building a friend of mine and I bought soon. Even the GF was really questioning my sanity yesterday. But she knows and understands the end goal for this mess... which is good😊

[SpringerGuy]

Guys

Collecting is in our imprinted to our DNA.  Collecting is a form wanting, and humans have endless wants.  What we want, when we want it, and how much of something we want changes over time.  Some collectors mature over time some people never mature.  Maturity should be measured by actions not chronological years.   

1900colt wanted to thank you again for selling me the Phoenix Arms air pistol (Ebay), as a Hy-score collectpr these British Hy-scores are hard to get.   

My opinion - I collect for joy not profit.

Kindest Regards,

Randall D Murdoch

[eeler1]

When you have 3, or maybe 5, quality vintage guns, something special Model A Supergrade, Sterling, etc.  As I get older, my wife bugs me about leaving her to deal with all these doggone airguns.  As though I’ll go first!  So, just a few ‘special’ pieces.  I’m trying to divest of the rest. 

Or when you get all the specimens of a particular type, like collecting only S&W air guns.  ( there’s only 3, maybe 4 if you count variants, 5 if you count caliber, maybe 6 if both caliber and variant)

And you need a few shooters, for when I need to keep the birds out of the fruit trees.

So, to answer question, less than 10.

[45flint]

Another avenue to explore when your collection matures is to do more with it. I think too many people put their collections away or in boxes etc. Making creative displays can help you better enjoy the collection you have.  I have been using built in book selves to display my collection.  Making display stands, high class casings etc. Casings can give you another collection opportunity trying to obtain period accessories.  Collecting paper Ephemera around your collection can be fun as well.

All of this keeps you in the game but doesn’t increase the numbers of guns in the collection which may be a little too large at this point?



All these accessories were a hoot to explore and collect:



On the way from recent purchase:

[jccams]

I'm pretty satisfied with my current collection, there are still a few more I would like to have, but it isn't a huge deal if I don't find them.  I always look and if one on my want list pops up and I have the money I'll buy it.  I also have a few I also need to get rid of.

[1900colt]

Another avenue to explore when your collection matures is to do more with it. I think too many people put their collections away or in boxes etc. Making creative displays can help you better enjoy the collection you have.  I have been using built in book selves to display my collection.  Making display stands, high class casings etc. Casings can give you another collection opportunity trying to obtain period accessories.  Collecting paper Ephemera around your collection can be fun as well.

All of this keeps you in the game but doesn’t increase the numbers of guns in the collection which may be a little too large at this point?



All these accessories were a hoot to explore and collect:



On the way from recent purchase:

Collection is definitely not to large, just to large for my home at the moment. We bought a 4000+ square foot building to display everything in. 

But, personally...I have what I've wanted to aquire for myself... which is good especially after staring at photos of one of the guns since was about 11 years old.

The collecting part definitely won't be over, I'll be doing that until I can't any longer. It'll be nice to get certain models and variants of brands to have examples of things that have been offered over the decades. Lately it's been NIB or like new boxed guns from the 70's and 80's... guns many people can relate to as thry may of had those guns when growing up.

[Acapulco]

My collection is way to large too, started 17 yrs ago.  I've tried scaling back and actually sold one....big step for me and I don't have sellers remorse.

As of now I'm content with what I have....

Will see.

[SpringerGuy]

Steve

I enjoyed your comments about displaying our collections.  Your high Possible displays are artistically attractive.  Presentation is so important.

My latest display project was an AG pic database. Watching the screen saver pic loop of every airgun I own shows me the ones not on display.   I started collecting weapons years ago but my serious air pistol collecting only started in the last few years.  Because of the late start, I am do have as many AG treasures, yet. 

Randy

[SpringerGuy]

Steve

I enjoyed your comments about displaying our collections.  Your high Possible displays are artistically attractive.  Presentation is so important.

My latest display project was an AG pic database. Watching the screen saver pic loop of every airgun I own shows me the ones not on display.   I started collecting weapons years ago but my serious air pistol collecting only started in the last few years.  Because of the late start, I am do have as many AG treasures, yet. 

Randy

[c801tfd]

Not sure it ever does, I always find myself looking for air rifles on the verge of the trash can. Yes sometimes I may spend more than what the rifle is worth to others, but for me it allows me to use my repair skills and expand my knowledge of air rifles; and most of all I can own a vintage rifle for the fraction of the cost of buying a perfect example, yes I am also known to buy new ones on a rare occasion. Simple fact it never ends for me it evolves with the opportunity.

[Blowpipe Sam]

My neighbors Know I'm into air rifles.  How could they not?  The other day one asked me what I was going to do with one of the old junk boats in my yard.  "Trade it to you for that old Crosman 760 that's hanging in your tractor barn" I replied.  He was a little surprised but agreed right away.  He got a leaky old tin skiff and I got an ancient self cocker with a bent and rusty barrel.  I don't know who came out ahead.

So that's how collecting happens.  I wasn't planning on acquiring another rusty BB gun but there ya go!