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Why not refinish and old gun?
djh860
Member Posts: 3,232 ✭✭✭
From time to time I have asked about doing work to refinish old guns in the forum. It is always suggested to me that I not do anything beyond a gentle cleaning or required repairs.
To my way of thinking a run of the mill beat up shooter like an old lefever nitro special which is nothing special at all will probably end up in the trash in 20 years if its never fixed up.
So I ask whats to lose if I buy one of these every so often and do it over. Repoint the checkering, polish the receiver maybe reblue the barrels?
To my way of thinking a run of the mill beat up shooter like an old lefever nitro special which is nothing special at all will probably end up in the trash in 20 years if its never fixed up.
So I ask whats to lose if I buy one of these every so often and do it over. Repoint the checkering, polish the receiver maybe reblue the barrels?
Comments
If it's a Fudd gun, it's always and forever gonna be a Fudd gun.
If it's a military antique, like a nice Enfield, Mauser, or US Mil rifle, turning it into some "backwoods holler" deer zapper is stupid and pointless and destroys any value the rifle might have had.
Likewise, to the extent that "they don't make 'em like that anymore" firearms in the tradition of Pinned and Recessed Smiths or Colt Revolvers, it's an abomination and the destruction of something which will never be replicated.
Some guy came in here once with a P&R Model 57, 4", .41 Mag and asked me to parkerize it and moly coat it OD Green....really.
I laughed in his face and he got all butthurt. I told him to give me that fine revolver and I'd go buy him a used Taurus and paint it whatever color he liked. Some folks "get it" and some folks don't.
And, be sure you can "buy low & sell high", something that may be difficult if you are talking about old lefevre nitro specials.
Neal
Obviously refinishing a gun reduces its collectors value. This, of course, only applies if the gun actually HAS collectors value. If its a common "beater" or "shooter" no loss.
The next one (and maybe more important) is that having a gun professionally refinished usually costs more than the value added to the gun by refinishing it.
In other words, in most cases, refinishing doesn't make economic sense, and you may be better off just selling the worn gun and buying one like it with a nicer finish.
Edit: So adding these two things together, when DOES it make sense to refinish?
If you're doing it on a common "work" gun or "shooter", and you're doing it yourself at low cost, then go for it.
agree, IF you are planning to re sell for a profit on a semi regular basis.
if you buy a winchester 94 and refinish it, then decide you don't want it, you can sell it for whatever the market will bear.
same as when i sell a python purchased 3 years ago for 50% more than i paid.
i'm not selling on a regular basis, and I don't make a living at it.
the letter of the law is very restrictive, but the reality is relatively loose.
jmho
tom
30 years ago, no one though GI .45s would be collectible. Many were turned into "match guns, etc." Today they are worth "shooter value." Originals are bringing very good money.
I will tell you, that this forum is a very educated one. I would not want to try to pass something for original that was not, especially if it were a collectable.
Best