Honk...Honk...Boom said:
Just currious why should I buy a Gustaff M38 Swede?
Well, it's simple...... in my opinion ONLY, they're great financial investments over time. The stock market grew on average over the last 30-40 years approximately 15% per year. I've said it before, but I'll say it again .... collectibles in the right genres easily outpaced that kind of investment. So, as long as the government doesn't ban non-restricted rifles, I believe they will increase substantially, as we see an ever increasing baby boomer aging demographic with lots of cash and time on their hands, looking for hobbies. Some of them will inevitably choose old milsurp collecting.
There's a lot of empirical data to support Swedes in particular as a premium non-restricted rifle collectible, but here's just one that I think tells a lot of the story.
Quantity Manufactured
1. ALL Swedish Mauser Production 804,000
2. M91 Russian 9,360,000
3. M91/30 Russian 17,450,000
4. US M1 Rifle 6,034,000 (approx)
5. US M1 Carbine 6,225,000
6. K98k German 11,500,000
7. No.1 MkIII British 3,000,000
8. No.4 Mk1&2 British 3,530,000
SOURCE: "Neutrality through Marksmanship"
A collector's and shooter's guide to Swedish army rifles 1867-1942 By Doug Bowser
On the other hand and again,
it's my opinion only, revolver and pistol collecting as an investment is NOT the place to be. Threats of government intervention and bans, plus the overly restrictive licensing and transport requirments (ie: ATT's etc), makes it both a high risk and a challenge to get into these as a narrow collectible investment strategy.
So, I use my collecting both as a source of leisure and portfolio diversification outside of RRSP's and other retirement planning financial vehicles, however, you need to be careful and make sure what you're buying will actually appreciate at a decent rate. I never even think of buying SKS's or Norinco's as highly appreciating collectibles, but purely as enjoyable shooters. Don't get me wrong, they will rise over time if sources become scarce and the laws of supply and demand kick in, but they'll never appreciate as much for example, as a 1900 era Carl Gustafs Swedish m/96.
Just my two cents, which hopefully is appreciating towards four cents daily .............
Regards,
Badger
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