So at what point does a firearm become collectible or only something a nerd would appreciate?

Examples from my own collection listed from what I think is nerdiness to collectible.

Smith & Wesson 686-5 4” barrel, gun has a black Patridge front sight and all black rear sight rather than the red ramp front and white outline rear typically found on 4” barrels. No mention of this sight option on a 4” barrel in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

Smith & Wesson 686+-4 4” barrel. The seven shot -4 revision was made for less than a year before changing to the -5 revision that introduced MIM parts and deleted the serrations on the back strap.

Smith & Wesson 617-4 4” barrel, 10 shot steel cylinder and no lock. This was a grail gun of mine for years and could never find one. Stumbled into it the first week I moved to Alaska. Researching it in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, this variation was only made for 18 months before changing to the -6 revision with the lock.

Smith & Wesson 66-5 3.25” barrel, gun has a red ramp front sight and white outline rear sight. I remember reading in the gun magazines at the time an article on a special run of 66’s Smith did with 3.25” barrels with an all black rear sight with a fiber optic green front sight. The end label on the box for mine has the original printed sight descriptions covered in white-out with RR for the front sight and WO for the rear sight written in blue ball point pen.

Smith & Wesson 627-2 5” barrel, 6 shot cylinder. I knew it was a little different when I bought it, I thought all -2 627’s were 8 shot cylinders. Gold bead front sight with Smith & Wesson in script font rather than block letters down the side of the barrel. I contacted Jim Supica when he was in the process of writing the 3rd Edition of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, my revolver is featured in the 3rd edition as being 1 of 12, “Parts Guns”.

Collectibeness is a 1 to 1 relationship with nerdiness.

A normal person might throw a few extra bucks at something unique or rare, but it takes a real nerd to throw real money at it.

When uniqueness meets desirability...that becomes collectable. But what if it's only desirable to nerds...hhmmm.

Oh, but only nerds collect stuff...just ask my wife.

Nothing nerdy about your 627 or 617! They became collectable very early. But different sights on otherwise std production guns?

You should read www.hkpro.com if you want to talk about collectibles. I can't say the other word or they will ban me.

Collectible is when you like a few of a certain item.

Nerdy is when you have them all. For example:

Having all of the calibers of the P220? Nerd.

Having all of the calibers of the P226? Nerd.

Needing a conversion barrel to convert your P250, MK-25, and a P228 to a 9mm? Nerd.

Yeah, I think I may be nerdy as well.

^^ What about having multiples, because you had to collect all of the different 'rollmarks' as well?

^^^

Closest I came was having one stamped in 9mm Para and then also wanting one stamped as 9mm Luger = Nerd.

Well, if it were not for the nerds, none of us would know how many obscure variations of specimens were out there! DAMB, I just spilled the beans, I AM A NERD!

Every firearm manufactured has the potential of being collectible depending on what an individual wants

As an example, I still own the first revolver, auto loader, rifle and shotgun that I purchased or was gifted to me. Even though thet are over 40 years old, myself and my family members still shoot them on occasion . . . to me these ate collectible, but I do not consider this Nerdy and outside of my family I do not see any collectability. BTW I also own my Father's first rifle, it is a Ted Williams 22

Now I also own several firearms that have my birthday as the serial number. I guess I would call this Nerdy

I am fond of serial numbers and own many firearms whose serial number is their caliber or model. This goes in the Nerdy column

This Smith & Wesson Model 625 chambered in 45 Long Colt is serial numbered CLT0045



This is serial number 44 of the Smith & Wesson Model 544 chambered in 44-40. That just seamed like a lot of 44s in that comment



When Colt reintroduced the series 70 Government Model back in the early 2000s, I acquired serial number 70.



There have only been 6 variations of the 8 shot, carbon steel, Model 27 revolver from Smith & Wesson. This image is one of each variation, all unfired since leaving the Factory. All six bear the same serial number with different prefixes. This probably falls into the Nerdy column, but I enjoyed the challenge of bringing them together



I have many more examples. . . When I was in school I did not have disposable income, so I often had to trade off something when I wanted something new. Of course I can understand that mentality. As I got older and my income improved so did my ability to hang onto things and collections became easier.

Way back in the olden days, you could "Own" a serial number at Colt. Anytime a new model came out or a limited edition, you had the first right of refusal to acquire it. OK, this is probably Nerdy. I had two family members with serial numbers, so as my Uncles passed on, I now own many Colts with the serial numbers 0043 and 0183

I also look for oddities. I have been fortunate with Smith & Wesson when it comes to one of a kind firearms. These are usually test pieces or marketing samples.

I know lots of folks turn their noses up at the S&W SIGMA pistols. They are not precision pieces, but they do what they were designed to do. I do own the only Titanium SIGMA known to exist. This is the SW40Ti. I was surprised they even did the one example. The cost would be prohibative



Collecting has allowed me to enjoy my savings. My money has grown faster than any bank account, in most cases MUCH faster.

So Nerdy or otherwise,I will continue to collect as long as proceeds allow. While my friends and family also enjoy these, my Only requirement is that I enjoy it

I’ve got dozens are super valuable rare handguns, but I also own a lot of high end shooters. I guess I’m part nerd

What no pictures?

quote:

Originally posted by Mustang-PaPa:
What no pictures?

I don’t want to hijack the thread. Here are two of my nerdy collectibles.

Sig P210-6 set with matching 30 Luger barrel and rimfire upper assembly. Includes manuals and test targets for each. Built in 1967 and I honestly don’t believe it’s ever been fired. These sets are super rare, so I never shot it either. I’ve got other P210’s for that. The fully checkered factory walnut grips were only offered with these full sets, from what I understand.





Here is an HK P9S Sport Group III set. These are pretty rare to begin with, but this is a factory dual caliber set, with the Sport barrel in 9mm and the standard barrel a 45ACP. I don’t shoot this either, as I have another 9mm Sport to shoot.

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I understand that multi-caliber guns like these and drillings are popular in Europe because of limits on licenses.

quote:

This Smith & Wesson Model 625 chambered in 45 Long Colt is serial numbered CLT0045

Not nerdy,just beautiful. Personally, as a fellow gun owner, I don't think of someone being nerdy with a complete collection of a particular model or gun but more so of someone who likes what they find and enjoy it.

Now if you decide to buy a particular gun based on a movie gun(s), that might make you nerdy, of which I am guilty.

quote:

Originally posted by bac1023:
I’ve got dozens are super valuable rare handguns, but I also own a lot of high end shooters. I guess I’m part nerd

Definitely not nerdy.

Answer :

If I am interested in it and especially if I happen to acquire it = Nerdy.

If I sell it at a loss, or pass on it and it’s popularity and value increases afterwards = Collectable

Several years ago I purchased a SCCY CPX-2 9mm because they were manufactured in my childhood hometown of Daytona Beach, FL. I didn’t “need” it for any real reason other than that. That’s a little nerdy.

It’s actually not a bad little gun, though!