Is ordance collecting a dying hoby in the younger face book genaration ?

[banksy-2k10]

hi
i read in the mirror hobbys sutch as stamp postcard modal plane and a few more have fallen fowl to the gameing and face book race of teens

do you think ordance collecting is the same ?

 

[beihan62]

Hi Banksy-2k10

Here is my 2pennorth,At a guess most of the collectors in the BOCN are ex military or metal detecting enthusiasts,included in this group are people that are interested in most things military,re-enactors,military vehicle restorers,etc.BOCN is just a natural progression from their main hobby,I myself recovered and researched crashed ww2 aircraft as a hobby and am also ex RAF,(airfield construction,)the youth of today and I am not being derogatory in any way,are bombarded by green, eco, recycle and world peace,there seems to be a defining line between those who are interested in weapons etc.who will go on and join the forces and those interested in just about everything else and the only weapons they will ever see are the ones they use to win wars on their XBox,
Regards,Don,

 

[Goodluck247]

No I wouldn't say it's a dying hobby, I have to admit I'm only 15 years old, yes I love metal detecting and war history but at the same time I like playing on the Xbox. When I go on holiday I'm always browsing the antique shops looking for interesting war relics( best so far has been a great Somme k98 in relic condition for 7 quid!) I have recently widened my collection from military fire arms and general war relics to include ordnance. I also know of atleast 2 of my mates who share the same interest as me so I can re-assure you that there is still a few youth ordnance enthusiasts (maybe not as many as there was) keeping the hobby going.

Will

 

[Jolly Green]

IS it?
I sure hope so.
Less competition.
Fewer knuckleheads paying unGodly prices and keeping prices up.
Less contamination of the gene pool through replication.
Maybe Justin will sell off some of those Lemons he has stockpiled.

Someone wake me up...

 

[raymeketa]

Maybe not dying, but certainly sick. It should not come as a surprise since this sort of natural cycle happens, eventually, in every sort of lieusure activity. Everything from girls to grenades. Nothing and nobody is immune.

One thing that took me by surprise happened this past summer. I was considering disposing of some of my personal library when I learned that the majority of the younger generation have no interest in books, whatsoever. They have instant access to every bit of information ever printed or uttered and can store it in the latest electronic gadget and carry an entire library in their pocket.

Over on the IAA Forum there is a member who has been making 3D drawings of some of the rarer cartridges - virtual cartridges, if you will. That may the ordnance/cartridge collector of the future.

Ray

 

[dano1917]

hi
i read in the mirror hobbys sutch as stamp postcard modal plane and a few more have fallen fowl to the gameing and face book race of teens

do you think ordance collecting is the same ?

A lot of leisure hobbies took a major hit with the recession, but I think as long as there are men (and women) with a genuine thirst for collecting that hobbies will not go dead on the roadside. Non collectors are fascinated with ordnance collections and I have found will ask questions and show a genuine interest. I don't think ordnance will fall prey but I guess took a hit as much as any other hobby. I have noticed with the recession stuff may be a little slower to move but can still move as many have cut back to bare bones necessities to weather the storm. The economy seems to be making a slow but sure come back. I have been a collector all my life whether it was ordnance, antiques or other things. One collector summed it up in another thread citing that we are basicly "hunter-gatherers". And take a look at the new memberships in BOCN. Man people are enlisting at a staggering pace.......................Dano

 

[Falcon]

Hthe youth of today and I am not being derogatory in any way,are bombarded by green, eco, recycle and world peace,there seems to be a defining line between those who are interested in weapons etc.who will go on and join the forces and those interested in just about everything else and the only weapons they will ever see are the ones they use to win wars on their XBox,
Regards,Don,

I know what you mean, I am 19 and all through school I was bombarded with the PC drivel you mention. Every lesson seemed to have some underlying message in it that fitted in with that agenda. I know that my hobby doesn't fit in with the cushy liberal way of thinking that is forced on my generation, but do I really care? Definitely not. I was often told that I was abnormal for my collecting by the same people who would play pretend war on their Xbox all night, and thought guns were "cool" when they were being used by gangster rappers.

I'm glad I left conventional education at 16 and got an engineering apprenticeship, as this was mostly free of the PC crap. Now I am in the factory I can freely take bits in to work on without some busybody seeing it and calling the police.

 

[V40]

John & Dan,

I agree with everything that you guys have stated. What concerns me are the new members and their true desirability to really collect.
or just want to pick our minds.


I also agree with Dan in that we took a great big hit these last two years and money didn't buy anything but outrages bills. Especially in Ohio when percentage rates on our credit cards when up to the max in Ohio to 21%.

So my final answer is I hope that what you both are stating is the truth for all of us.

V40
Mark

 

[Dronic69]

"Is ordnance collecting slowly dying?"

I say No way Jose!

The amount of so call "surplus" military stuff (including ordnance) that has been on offer over the past 30+ years is gone! Where to? I have no bloody idea - the amount of "common" dirt cheap (simply because there was a hugh supply of) back in the 70s 80s even 90's is no longer common and in fact quite hard to find with $$$$ price tags.

Some things in life never change:

1)Has the homosapien species evolved into a vastly intelligent high order form? I don't think so, and after 6,000 years of existance, all we really have achieved is more sophicated ways to kill each other! Hence an inherent interest in both Militaria & Ordnance related stuff!

2) Young girls always want to play with Barbie dolls. Young boys always want to play with guns (now it is just easier with PC /Console games) well at least untill their teens when they would rather play with real "Barbie doll":tinysmile_twink_t:

What has change is the Public perception to Rifle Shooters, Military Collectors and the of course Ordnance Collectors.
The current "Terrorist" focus with 911 and other related bombing certainly don't help our collecting interests, and manifests itself in backwards, dragonian laws and conditions - basically the beauocraps don't /can't control or want to deal with it - its just a gross case of ignorance!!
I can see the above "putting" most except the hardcore collectors off - hell I had Prohibited Weapons permits now since the late 70s and I'm getting a little tired of the crap - one day you're the honest collector, the next day the Crim with illegal items!!
(One condition of the Prohibited Weapons Permit is that it can be revoked at any time or any reason - great motivation to invest $$$$$!).

Apart from Ordnance, i have collecting interest in Japanese Swords and I shoot competitively -all have been affected over the years (In Victoria, one is required to have a permit /licence to collect /own a Japanese sword!!!)
Next they be banning screwdrivers and kitchen knives!

So to sum up, there is still a healthy appetite for Ordnance/miliatry and with the inherent nature of our operating system (i.e. brain), there will always be an interest in "blowing things up"!

.....and yes the prices are getting ridiculously stupid: check out the prices from the recent 3rd of October auction (Ray Jaroz's ex-collection)

http://www.australianarmsauctions.com/

In regards to our increasing m/ship? As stated when I joined (after 12+ years of inert collecting) I wish I had discover this site years earlier - but then back in the 70s 80's, the Internet was just a research facility.
Online information gathering at one's fingertips is now the future - look how a lot of rare out-of-print books have been scanned and digitized.....

and for "picking our brains" - go for it before I go senile!!!

Happy "Hunting & Collecting"
Cheers
Drew

BTW - Looking back now with a little more "Wisdom", I wish I spent just a little more time chasing skirt, than lonely nights at home cleaning / polishing brass cases and fuzes when I was younger!

 

[dano1917]

Hi Drew, How you been? I totally hear you when it comes to ordnance prices. Just before ebay ate the bullet on ordnance you could get a respectable German WW1 grenade in the 50.00 range. The period of 9/11 till the demise of ebay saw the biggest jump in prices percentage wise than it had ever seen. Quasi common grenades (the U.S. m69 for example) have gone from dirt cheap and gaudily common to hard to find and a tad expensive. In the ebay days 99 until the end I could buy a m1917 German egg grenade with transit plug regularly for 20.00. Good, bad or indifferent the last 10 years have been the biggest drain. You can still get good deals with work and patience, but the cheap and very collectible stuff is all but gone. May be great for the hobby but my wallet can hardly bear the strain. Rock on...Dano

 

[Jolly Green]

What is this "leisure" hobby I see spoken of?
Am I being too aggressive in checking all my favorite ordnance sites multiple times a day?
My son sure thinks so.
HE says I need to spend more money on my truck instead of grenades.
PHFFFFT!
This hobby might "die" for some. Those that weren't really as serious as "us." It'll only die for you if you let it.

While attending the Nikon School of Photography, one of my instructors told us how a friend of his told him he'd spent more money on a lense than his car.
His answer: "Life is full of choices."

And besides all that this hobby/obsession fullfills my primal needs as a Hunter/Gatherer.

 

[vinnyw]

Hello,I agree with most everbody.Im a man of modest means,but have gatheard a decend collection over the years 200 plus items.From my experence selling at military collector shows,gun shows and flea markets,for over 30 years, is that mybe 5 to 10 percent of people have a interest in ordance to some degree,the German WW2 collector always wants the stick grenade etc.My point is I beleive our hobby is as strong as ever.I use to think I was the only grenade collector around,except for the few I meet at the largest shows,before the enternet.
Happy hunting:tinysmile_classes_t

 

[wichitaslumlord]

For the past 4 years I have given a WWII Presentation featuring Ordnance, Patches, Helmets, Swords, etc. for the 7th grade classes at my sons school. It is a private school and I proceed with the full blessing of the Headmaster and the head of the Police bomb squad so no problems with handwringing panicky fools calling the police.
The presentation is very well received (try to get 70 7th graders to sit motionless and focused for an hour) and several students each year are facinated to the point of having their Parents bring them over for a full tour at home. Each one leaves with a nice item (for free and with their parents permission) in the area of their peak interest. Perhaps these will be tomorrows collectors. If not at least they will realise that these items have historical value. Below are pictures of some of the items I displayed last year. Pat

 

[navyman]

Hello Banksy, and all,
Last time my local Policeman came round to check my FAC renewal status, (my first FAC was issued in the 70's), he was interested in my inert displayed collection more than the stuff in the safe. We had an interesting chat with a cup of tea and he was keen to find out the history of what I had, and genuinely friendly. Nice to see a good old fashioned Copper don't you think?
I'd be interested to hear from other members about their experiences?
Cheers,
navyman.

 

[SG500]

I think it will come full circle.
At the moment there are difficulties with postage, even for things posted within the UK. The traditional arms fairs have seen less people spending less money as the internet has increased. I would think we'll all start going to a few more arms fairs and talking to people in the future.
Dave.

 

[V40]

I remember those days with E-Bay. Good times and just the right prices. Now we have the buyer of collectable Grenades (rare stuff) and they no how much it is going for. Then turn around and sell it to real collecter of INERT Grenades at almost double the price. I see it allot with CSAE--. Another guy Knight20 I believe on Auction arms will tell you upfront that this is the way he does it! He decrease the price usally after three months to around $25 after a year and a half.

He does have a quite amount of survival items I would buy from him because they are rare and difficult to get anywhere else.

Then there is always: collecting and getting ripped off: Conception of Of I will sell it to you and they do, but it looks like sh-- when you get it and they will not answer any of questions via internet. Nothing to do about what you have recieved.

For examble when I recived the maual for CASE--. when he sent the Ordnance manual that was copied with every page in it you could not see because of the way, he claims were from his poor printer. And to make a long story short, He refused to accept that out of hundreds of manuals, and that I am the only person out there that has a
problem with my copy. He asked what pages where made. When I told him that all of the pages need corected he turn's around and says too bad. No other copy is available. Then he starts with the name calling. So I asked my Sheriff if I could stop by and pay for the book. The Sheriff saw my anger and stated "No". I guess that I was stopped by him, that would of saved my bacon in the fire. Otherwise, I would of called for the township Paramedics before we would of even started.

Anyways, here in the USA, Obama will make it harder if we let this one bill by simply using the UN passes their bill. Obamba Considers using this anti-rifles, handguns and Ordnance and all full auto weapons. He has stated that he used the UN resolution thu the back door. This reason is so much political that he has to go in thru the bac

 

[falcon5nz]

I'm 20 and have been picking up items since I was about 16. I've got a young mate who's family I shoot with and who my mum teach's and he is interested in ammo collection. But it is sadly dying. Mind you us "young 'uns" might pick up a few good cheap estates in the future.

Nick

 

[dano1917]

What is this "leisure" hobby I see spoken of?
Am I being too aggressive in checking all my favorite ordnance sites multiple times a day?
My son sure thinks so.
HE says I need to spend more money on my truck instead of grenades.
PHFFFFT!
This hobby might "die" for some. Those that weren't really as serious as "us." It'll only die for you if you let it.

While attending the Nikon School of Photography, one of my instructors told us how a friend of his told him he'd spent more money on a lense than his car.
His answer: "Life is full of choices."

And besides all that this hobby/obsession fullfills my primal needs as a Hunter/Gatherer.

Hi Green, What leisure hobby means is no more than a metaphor as what a hunter/gatherer does in his free time. No offensive or pun internde,,,,,,,,,,,,Dsno

 

[exat808]

Hello Banksy, and all,
Last time my local Policeman came round to check my FAC renewal status, (my first FAC was issued in the 70's), he was interested in my inert displayed collection more than the stuff in the safe. We had an interesting chat with a cup of tea and he was keen to find out the history of what I had, and genuinely friendly. Nice to see a good old fashioned Copper don't you think?
I'd be interested to hear from other members about their experiences?
Cheers,
navyman.

I'd like to think that I'm also one of those "old fashioned coppers" you describe. The routine aspect of my job is visiting firearm/shotgun/explosives certificate holders. Whilst we have a reassuringly high number of young shooters coming on stream, very few show any interest in any extension outside of whatever shooting discipline they follow.
I am often saddened when speaking with older folk who have, for example, collections of cartridges or powder horns alongside their weapons, and they explain to me that they have no one in the family with any interest in their collection and ask my advice on how it should be disposed of when they pass on.

 

[Dronic69]

The traditional arms fairs have seen less people spending less money as the internet has increased. I would think we'll all start going to a few more arms fairs and talking to people in the future.
Dave.

Hi Dave,

Been going to Arms Fairs for years - sadly at one stage a couple of years back in Sydney, there were two organiszations holding separate events and overall total around 6+ a year....and as to my comments earlier about stuff "drying up" - it got to a stage I could skipped going to a couple in a row and yet on the next visit still see the same faces with the same items for sale! It even reached the stage where the interstate dealers were only attending every second one as it was not financially viable for them to attend every one!!! So yes people are spending less and hence forced to turn to other sources, as suitable for sale stock is just not available at Todays Arms Fair! (what suitable stock is available, normally gets "traded" between the dealers on the Friday night......humm)

But then life is just hilarious isn't it? I just go now to Arms Fairs to catch up with people (all your fellow Collectors at one place! Saves time in today's time management starved society!), poke around and see what I wouldn't want to buy........but then lately, some interesting ordnance has surfaced - the Japanese Type 92 bomb fuze + container, 25 pdr shell case (haven't seen a decent one for ages and asking price $45), 3.7" AA shell case - minty condition (1942 dated) - I should have grabbed that sucker, but I just collect fuzes now - right?; 37mm cira 1900 1 pdr pom pom case (yes I grabbed that one - posted on BOCN re no base markings), 18pdr shrapnel projectile (I think everyone is tired of that topic!!!), WW1 German Egg grenade and the list goes on.

My point is one of our major "Hunter & Collecting" drivers is that we never know what is going to turn up tomorrow. Abeit the items are getting fewer and farer between, THEY are still surfacing!!!

Apart from all of the above waffle, I just need an excuse to go down and "decorate" my MAN CAVE with a new hunting sourveneer!!!!

Happy Collecting Chaps!!

Cheers
Drew