i have a limited edition Winchester model 1885 in 50-90, it's from Davidsons and only 125 were made. i've never fired it so will it have good collectability/value potential? i also have a Colt series 70, stainless 1911 that i've never fired, so does a unfired Colt 1911 have good collectability/value potential?

Boxes, original paperwork, purchase reciept all drive the price up.
How "collectable" a certain firearm is, is in the eyes of the owner or potential purchaser.

the winchester may be collectable at some point. The colt would have interest now. They have to be pristine with everything that came with them. It also takes time for value to rise,

Since most firearms are test fired at the factory, there aren't really many that are truly "unfired". However, New-In-Box (meaning never fired since boxed by the manufacturer) does bring a premium.

IMHO the idea of keeping firearms pristine is overated. Yes, there are some that will eventually command a high price, but most of those have to be as they came from the factory. No scratches from pulling the slide back, no other handling marks or "rubs". Also you should have the original box, also undamaged, all the paperwork that came with it, tools in the original packaging if they came with the gun, all the tags attached to the gun (usually Colt autos have a yellow tag attached through the trigger guard), even down to the plastic bag that Colts come packaged in. Also be aware that the Series 70 stainless is a standard production item, so it might be several years after it is discontinued that you will see any real increase in value.
A good example is WWII vintage 1911's. For the first 30-40 years after WWII, they were pretty much available at very reasonable prices. The last 20 or so years they have become very sought after, most real nice ones on the better side of 1.5K. But again, that was up to 40 years since it was manufactured.
As for the 1885, it is still a modern rendition of the original and may or may not increase in value, solely due to how many want one in 45-90. A great caliber, but I think it targeted a certain niche of shooters.
I have shot every gun except one Colt Commemerative that I own. Some boxes and paper work I have kept, others are now part of a landfill. Again, just my opinion, but check out some of the auction sites for guns you are thinking of keeping as future collectibles. Look at what they have sold for, not what they are listed for. I have seen many people price their guns off of auction sites, saying that this person is asking this much, so it must be worth it. That makes no difference, it is what the gun actually sells for that determines the price.
If I were you, I would be out to the range with the Colt and having some fun.

I buy only guns I can fire and use.

If they are never used and never fired they are just an investment- a money making instrument. There are better ways to make an ROI wiout waiting 40 to 60 years. Most of us do not have that long. Buy something that will repay you with fun and memories. The greatest value a firearm can have is one that is so much fun to shoot that you literally wear it out.

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Originally posted by SR4759:
If they are never used and never fired they are just an investment- a money making instrument. There are better ways to make an ROI wiout waiting 40 to 60 years. Most of us do not have that long. Buy something that will repay you with fun and memories. The greatest value a firearm can have is one that is so much fun to shoot that you literally wear it out.

That's the the wisest advice you will likely ever read about guns, here or anywhere else.

And the way the world is going, it is entirely possible that when the full-blown WWIII errupts we will all find we had 20 years or less left today.

I think the appropriate saying is Carpe Diem...and live every day as if it is your last one. It may well be in this modern, run-amok, world.

Have friend who bought 100,000 shares of Ford (FOMOCO) when it hit $1.10. (fighting his broker tooth and nail). Sold it at $10.00 and then bought, at auctions, a bunch of the really fine way undervalued single shot target rifles like Pope's. Once we get rid of the Kenyan, he'll make another huge killing. There is money to be made in guns, but not in modern "limited" editions.
Remember the Winchester 94 commemoratives ? Try and give one away.

quote:

...There is money to be made in guns, but not in modern "limited" editions.
Remember the Winchester 94 commemoratives ? Try and give one away.

Isn't that the truth! I had an acquaintance who collected them - you name the State, he would buy it. None of them were really collectible. He once came home and found them all in a pile on a blanket, ready to be stolen. That didn't do much for the finish!

Since every firearm manufactured today has the possibility of becoming a future collectable, I guess one should put every new gun they buy away in a dry, safe place, kept in original box, all paper work and accessories, never touched, cocked, dryfired, cylinder or bolt opened, slide worked, magazine removed, and never, never shot(!) etc., so as not to have a chance of decreasing their value. Of course this will drive the price of used guns through the roof as they will be a finite source for someone wanting to shoot a firearm.

I have only owned one firearm I would not shoot. I was privileged to know Elmer Keith, and visit with him at his home on several occasions. I own one of the S&W Elmer Keith Commemoratives.

IIRC, one sold here recently for $1000 or so.

This one has value to me because of the man it honors.

A gun's 'collectability' seems to be more luck of the draw than deliberate planning. A few clever/lucky people can spot a trend early and make some cash, but most folks can't/don't.

Any new gun that touts it will be limited or collectible is merely a siren wooing a fool from his money.

The real money in guns is to find a motivated seller that is getting out below market costs and you flip that gun for a profit.....err to enhance your collection.