A little less controversy, I hope . . .

[flamin lib]

If I do indeed get my C&R and I do buy a firearm that qualifies as a collector item will it damage the value if I re-blue and or refinish the woodwork to arsenal original condition?

I know with furniture it is regional, ie in the NE where antiques are dated to the 1600s they really hate it if you remove the original shellac even if it is old, black and bubbly. In many other parts of the country if it isn't in showroom condition nobody is interested.

Just curious.

[sailor65]

1. See what other gunsmiths in your area are doing

I've seen it vary by region, as you speculated.

[TheWraith]

2. To my knowledge, when dealing with antique guns, refinishing is a no-no.

At least, that's what I've always been told--that any kind of refinishing, reblueing, etcetera reduces the original value, even if you're restoring it to how it would look new.

[MineralMan]

3. Depends entirely on the piece.

If it's a historical firearm, refinishing will ruin its value. If it's a user, then it's probably not that valuable in the first place. For example, refinishing an old Sharps or Henry Rifle is a very bad idea, but you'd be very unlikely to be using such a relic anyhow.

OTOH, restoring a 1911A1 .45 semi-auto is a good idea, especially if you'll be carrying it. Most firearms that will be used regularly are not important enough historically to suffer from refinishing.

[SteveM]

4. For some, blemishes, scratches, etc. DON'T detract from the value...

of a "working" firearm, either LEO or hunting. The thinking here is that the gun has its own provenance with such tell-tale "damage." If one were to sell a Model 21 Winchester double barrel, the value probably wouldn't be decreased by minor scratches occasioned by a dove hunt last year. On the other hand, if I obtained an early Wingmaster 870 shotgun (whose collector value is pee-diddly), I would probably re-work the blueing and wood since it is a working gun -- might even improve the value!

[yost69]

5. As stated it depends on the gun....

If you are using it you would want it to work and be in the best condition possible.

If it is a collector your not supposed to do anything to it as it will lower the value. Note that also it depends on who you are selling to as to whether they want it original or refurbished.

[iverglas]

6. Welcome to the DU Guns forum

Discussion of gun-related public policy issues or the use of firearms for self-defense belong in the Guns Forum.

Personal-interest discussion about guns and weaponry should be posted in the Outdoor Life Group. By "personal interest" I mean, any discussion that is unrelated to public policy, such as: Posting pictures of guns or discussing the leisure activities of hunting or shooting.

That "I" there is Skinner, not moi.

[flamin lib]

11. Sorry, but nobody reads or responds to that Outdoor fourm. nt

[benEzra]

7. There are two competing schools of thought.

One would be the "museum curator" school of thought, in which things are left pretty much "as-is" (even if it looks absolutely horrible and disfigured) in the interest of preserving every detail of the item's history.

The other school of thought is the "restorer" school of thought, in which items are restored to as original a condition as possible using period techniques as much as possible. This is the mindset of most car collectors; you don't see too many '57 Chevys with dry-rotted tires, rusted-out rocker panels, and blue smoke spewing from the tailpipes winning car shows; you see cars that look like they just came off the assembly line.

In cars, restored vehicles are worth more; with guns, as others have said, it depends. Ultra-rare types are often preferred in their unrestored condition, but common types are sometimes valued more if they are restored. So an original-condition 1836 Colt revolver would probably be a bad idea to refinish, but refinishing a Garand to "factory new" condition might actually increase its value, unless it bore battle damage from known engagements in historical battles or something.

[slackmaster]

8. I would say not to mess with it unless one of the following applies

1. The existing finish does not adequately protect the firearm from rust, or

2. You would be embarrassed to be seen with it in its present condition.

Of course if it has some real historic value, e.g. you can prove that it was used by a famous person in a noteworthy situation, leave it alone.

[Hoopla Phil]

9. It's really a simple balance scale.

Figure out what the gun will be worth as you intend to restore it. Now figure out what it is worth as is. Most often the case the gun will be worth more as is.

[taurus145]

10. If it's a single shot

I'd refrain from using it for self-defense.

(Just keeping some folks happy by following the rules.)

To refinish or not refinish. Check with someone in your area that is an "expert" on C&R gun values.