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A-5 restore or leave alone

67fasty67fasty Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
edited May 2007 in Ask the Experts
I have my fathers Belgium made A-5, 12 gauge. It has seen better days but still shoots great. I considered sending it to a gunsmith to be restored back to its former glory. Should I do this or just leave it alone? Does restoring effect value that much? I want to pass the gun down to my son when the time comes so sell value is not so important but I do not want to completely kill the value.
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Comments

  • mrbrucemrbruce Member Posts: 3,374
    edited November -1
    You will never recoup your money from a restoration. You would be better served to leave it as is and let your son enjoy it as a shooter.
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  • Old-ColtsOld-Colts Member Posts: 22,697 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In my opinion if you restore a family firearm you've removed all of its character brought on by years of use and you just have another refinished gun. I would leave it alone and just keep giving it tender loving care.

    If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!

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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.comcaptkirk3@dslextreme.com Member Posts: 3,804
    edited November -1
    Leave it as is...Not worth the expense, and will actually devalue the Gun..........
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  • hslaterprycehslaterpryce Member Posts: 927 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Keep it clean and well cared for. If your intention is to "hand it down" then it should tell a story. Used, enjoyed and well cared for would be the story I would want to tell my son. Leave it like it is and let your boy see and feel the history.... You could always buy him a shiney new gun that he could use and create an heirloom through use, enjoyment and great care for him to "hand down"...ghs
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,046 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I some what disagree with the above. If it is in 'well worn' condition a good reblue and stock refinish will make it look much nicer and increase the value somewhat. it will never be worth what a 'like new' shotgun will be but still worth more than a beater.
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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A well used/worn standard grade Belgian Browning A-5 12 gauge is worth $250 - $300. If you have it reblued/refinished, it will cost about the same $$$ amount that it is worth, and in the end, it will still only be worth about $300... so, I disagree with Mike's statement that it will increase the value.

    Personally, like several others have mentioned, I recommend leaving it as is.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • duckhunterduckhunter Member Posts: 7,687 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Leave as is.
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  • nordnord Member Posts: 6,106 ✭
    edited November -1
    If you think you'll increase the value by doing a refurb... You won't.

    If a refurb will make you happy... Do it!

    Big difference.
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  • utbrowningmanutbrowningman Member Posts: 2,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Keep it the way it is - it tells the story of it's use from your dad and yourself. Once it's refinished, it is nothing more than a refinished gun.
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  • drsckdrsck Member Posts: 992 ✭
    edited November -1
    Most of the folks have given good advice. If you have it restored by your average "joe gunmonkey," you probably won't recoup the money you spend. However, I'd like to suggest an alternative, but with a couple of provisions or considerations. First, are you going to keep the gun, meaning that it will remain in your hands for the next 20+ years? If the answer is no, then don't bother having it restored, you'll be spending money with very little purpose. However, if you are going to keep it, the gun will probably appreciate in value beyond what you spend to have it restored today, especially if you have it done by Browning. Yes, it will be more costly than the local "gunmonkey," but you are essentially making an investment and betting on appreciation. One last point to keep in mind, is that if you have it restored, you will have to keep it in pristine condition in order for it to appreciate in value. That doesn't mean you can't use it, just take very, very, very good care of it. Just a thought. Best of luck -- Steve
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