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Re-blue affecting value?
saserby
Member Posts: 1,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
Guys,
How does a professional re-blue job affect the value of a gun. I know it depends on the gun, so say a Winchester 12, Ithaca 37 or Rem 1100? I'm talking about a professional job, not a home remedy. My buddies and I are arguing about it. I say the gun looks better and can't rust anymore, so it's worth more. Some say don't ever change from "original". What do you guys think?
How does a professional re-blue job affect the value of a gun. I know it depends on the gun, so say a Winchester 12, Ithaca 37 or Rem 1100? I'm talking about a professional job, not a home remedy. My buddies and I are arguing about it. I say the gun looks better and can't rust anymore, so it's worth more. Some say don't ever change from "original". What do you guys think?
Comments
CP
If the gun functions as is and you plan on using it, why bother, as the cost of a GOOD reblue is not cheap. If any gun is pitted much at all, no reblue will cure the pit problem and looks really tacky IMO...and even a dummy will know the gun has been reblued; "what you trying to hide with the reblue...any other problems your trying to hide?"
Good honest wear, not abuse, is seen by many gun nuts as character and is way more acceptable than a reblue.
...IF, you just have to have it looking as if it left the factory this morning, by all means reblue it...maybe 20 years from now if it's taken care of; the new finish will pay for itself when sold.
IF, a gun is a collectable, changing ANYTHING permenant will only hurt it's value for a lifetime or two...or three, if a shooter, do what makes you happy...[;)]
Guy's, thanks for all the good comments. Here'e the situation. My buddy has a Model 12 16ga that is re-blued and looks great. He says he gave $600 for it a few years ago. I've had my eye on it since I first saw it. Now I've come across the same gun, also reblued and very nice, for $300. Now I know these guns are valued between $300 and $600 normally. So did my buddy pay too much, or am I getting a great deal? Or am I just getting a fair deal because of the reblue and my buddy was taken to the cleaners. And you know I'll rub it in.
That is the answer.
WACA Historian & Life Member
Guy's, thanks for all the good comments. Here'e the situation. My buddy has a Model 12 16ga that is re-blued and looks great. He says he gave $600 for it a few years ago. I've had my eye on it since I first saw it. Now I've come across the same gun, also reblued and very nice, for $300. Now I know these guns are valued between $300 and $600 normally. So did my buddy pay too much, or am I getting a great deal? Or am I just getting a fair deal because of the reblue and my buddy was taken to the cleaners. And you know I'll rub it in.
A good reblue on a model 12 16ga. nickel steel gun with a solid rib and original black diamond grade wood will bring over a grand easy. Ive seen them bring close to 1500 here on GB. Heres a 12 ga. with a broken/fixed stock.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=121729740
There used to be a guy that had "Winchester restorations (John Kay)" that would make you a 5 for 5 gun It was an old 20 or 16 ga. winchester M-12 nickel steel that he would restore back to original and sell them from $1500-$5000.
26" nickel-steel barrel, single bead, no rib. Std Grade walnut furniture, good to excellent. Std pistol grip stock. 16 ga. And of course, reblued.
I don't know that much about M-12's, but I know you just jumped up several grades from what I'm talking about. Here is what I'm looking at, and maybe some of you can tell me what it's worth.
26" nickel-steel barrel, single bead, no rib. Std Grade walnut furniture, good to excellent. Std pistol grip stock. 16 ga. And of course, reblued.
$450ish at best, nickel steel helps but the reblue doesnt.