Here are the latest items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. We also cover hedges, derivatives, and obscura. And it bears mention that most of these items are from the “tangibles heavy” contrarian perspective of JWR. (SurvivalBlog’s Founder and Senior Editor.) Today’s focus is on investing in classic bolt action rifles. (See the Tangibles Investing section, near the end of this column.)
Precious Metals:
To start us off, here is a good piece at Silver Doctors: The Gold Standard 101: Measuring Gold And The Dollar Now Versus Then
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Gold/Silver Ratio Signals Massive Silver Rally
Cryptos:
At MarketSlant: Has Bitcoin Bought It?
Commodities:
NPR audio podcast: Commodity Week. (With an emphasis on farm commodities.)
Stocks and Derivatives:
Derivatives experts wary about next U.S. stock volatility shock
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CFTC set to partner with SEC on CDS supervision
Tangibles Investing (Classic Bolt Action Rifles):
Today, we look at investing in classic bolt action rifles. There are very few tangibles investments that fit so many “check boxes” as do pre-war bolt actions: Affordability, practicality for hunting and self-defense, versatility, lconsistent long-term gain in value, limited supply, durability, collector appeal, very limited risk of government bans or other restrictions, legal transportability across state lines and national boundaries, and providing a cherished family legacy. In my estimation: A nice bolt action does it all, and more!
Pre-1899 Bolt Actions?
If you want the ultimate in privacy, then I would recommend concentrating on Mauser bolt actions that had their receivers made in or before the year 1898. Pre-1899 guns are legally “antique” and completely outside of Federal jurisdiction. State laws vary, but in most cases, you can buy them from out-of state with zero paper trail, and bequest them to your children or even to your out-of-state nieces and nephews without zero paper trail. That might become a huge advantage, later in the 21st Century!
To get you started in bolt action rifle investing, here are some good reference articles and videos:
- Here is a great introductory 23-minute video: Top 5 Military Surplus Rifles for Investment
- Six All-American Bolt-Action Rifles You Need To Own (Of course most of these are derivations of the Mauser Model 1898.)
- Buying The Used Rifle
- NRA Museum: US Springfield Krag Model 1898 Bolt Action Rifle
- NRA Museum: U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle
- NRA Museum: Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle
- And if you’d prefer to invest in something more modern and practical for prepping: 2018’s Best Bang for Your Buck—Precision Bolt-Action Rifle Round-Up
Provisos:
SurvivalBlog and its Editors are not paid investment counselors or advisers. So please see our Provisos page for our detailed disclaimers.
News Tips:
Please send your economics and investing news tips to JWR. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who particularly watch individual markets. And due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” investing news. We often “get the scoop” on economic and investing news that is probably ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!
Pre-1899 guns. I have wondered if a modern copy of a pre-1899 gun is classed in the same way. Perhaps if it is a black powder muzzle loader. or a black powder six shooter. Is there a clear and accurate answer?
I have another question that maybe someone with a career in law enforcement can answer. A few years back my stepson was very careless and would leave a loaded gun around with his three small children in the house. He implied he needed some money and offered to sell me the gun. I saw this as an opportunity to get that gun away from the grandkids and bought it. But I don’t know it’s provenance. I do know he bought it from someone but I do not know if it had ever been stolen or worse used in a crime. Does anyone know a way to find out without putting either myself or my stepson at legal risk?
I’m not an attorney. But under Federal law (generally) a replica of a pre-1899 is Federally exempt only if: A.) It is muzzleloading (non-cartridge), or B.) Chambered for an obsolete cartridge that is no longer factory made. You must consult an attorney if you have any legal questions or before transacting any purchase or sale of any firearm or antique for which you have any doubt about legality.
I cannot answer your second question with certainty. You should probably contact your local sheriff’s office, if you want to do check on a whether or not any particular gun might have been reported as stolen.
Great lead-in picture! Any additional info on it?
I own a gunstore in the redoubt, as far as your question on running a guns serial number to see if its stolen you have 2 options. If you are friendly with a local gunstore you can have them call the local sheriff and run a NICS check on it. Most of the shops that take in used guns do this and have a working relationship with the LEO, or depending on your current location and local feelings about guns you can put the rifle in a soft case and go into the local PD or sheriff and have them run the check for you in person. Make sure its CASED and they know what you are doing before you take the gun out. Call ahead and ask their preferences on handling this. Now onto meat of the issue I get calls every month or so from customers that want to know their serial numbers for the firearm they bought 4 or 5 years ago……unless they know down to the exact month and year it was purchased we will not be able to spend the time looking through thousands of 4473s to find it for them. With that being said I truly feel that less then 20% of stolen guns are reported with serial numbers, reported guns without a serial number are ignored by police since there is no way to tell if this 870 shotgun is yours or one of the other 50 million made. Basically there is a very low chance your bought gun is stolen and an even smaller chance that it would turn up a positive serial number in the system. But you need to know for sure since it looks poorly on you if you are forced to defend yourself with a stolen firearm. And hopefully this will light a fire under some of you to inventory your arms and have a couple copies of serial numbers in different locations
Thanks, Brian. That’s a good, helpful answer.