Restoring an old gun; why so controversial?

[Trey Veston]

Some folks get really upset when you mention that you are having an old, ugly, worn out, or non-working firearm brought back to life.

My dad died in a house fire a couple of weeks ago. He was an avid hunter, competitive shooter, and well-known sportsman. He had been selling off his firearm collection the past few years, but still had a couple of dozen fine weapons still around.

He had two "working guns" that he kept in his SUV. One was a Russian-made EAA over/under shotgun/rifle combo and the other was a Colt Woodsman .22.

Both firearms were well-used and neglected.

He had a home-health worker come and transport him to doctor appointments his last month of life who insisted on him not having any firearms in his vehicle, so he had them in his reloading room at the time of the fire.

The rifle was badly damaged by steam and smoke, but the Colt was in a leather flap holster and only suffered minor burns and rust damage.





I contacted a respected craftsman who can restore the Colt to like-new condition for $750 or so.

I agreed to have the work done.

I wanted dad's gun restored to it's former glory and ready to be a companion to the next couple of generations of family.

Yet many said I should do nothing to it buy clean it up and just keep shooting it.

I don't understand. Why would I want to handle and shoot a pistol that bears the scars of the event that killed my father? Why would I not want to restore it to it's original condition and have a beautiful working Colt Woodsman for the price of a decent original?

My dad also had a couple of vehicles with minor scrapes and filthy interiors. I had them detailed and restored to like-new condition. Why would I want to drive around a dirty and damaged SUV just because that is how it was when my dad died?

Firearms are not magic objects with mystical powers that can be lost if they are restored. So why do so many gun owners refuse to restore worn out and ugly guns for no good reason?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Man, sorry to to hear about your Dad. May he rest in peace.

No judgement here, I think that Colt will be a great family heirloom when its restored.

My Dad has several guns he "bubba'd," back in the day which would cause purists to stroke out now, but I will treasure them because of the effort he put into them. Think high-polished blued Garand with a shiny poly-cote stock.....

 

[commygun]

I agree. I’m not a collector but I do like guns with some historical resonance. However, I like them to look as good as possible. I’ve only had a couple worked over professionally, but I’m not shy about whipping out the cold blue for worn edges or carefully refinishing a pair of grips or replacing a pitted nose cap or trigger guard.

But I’m not a collector.

 

[film495]

If you are compelled to restore it, restore it. It is yours do with it what you want. It is true, and I've done this a few times myself and then looked back and wondered if I really should have refinished this or that, and truth is, you can never put it back the way it was once it is done. Sounds like a follow your gut decision.

 

[Trey Veston]

I used to be into muscle cars. An un-restored original in excellent condition was the highest value vehicle. But a professionally restored numbers matching example was worth nearly as much.

Odd how that doesn't jive with the classic firearms community.

What would you rather own?

Professionally restored to original specs...



Or still in original un-restored condition?

 

[Old Dog]

So why do so many gun owners refuse to restore worn out and ugly guns for no good reason?

I can't answer that.

I have no problems with restoring old firearms. I've been called a heretic for having a couple handguns re-blued (a S&W revolver and a very old Colt 1911). And a 70-year-old Winchester 94. I like pretty guns, call me superficial, but I shoot everything I own and I don't like ugly guns. I don't mind a little wear if I've been responsible for it, but my bottom line is, I love a nice polished blue and clean walnut furniture or stocks

Condolences about your dad. I lost my father not long ago, and I think about him every day.

 

[Kookla]

Condolences to you and your family for your loss.

 

[Hookeye]

Your gun, do as you wish.
Don't worry what other people think.

 

[dh1633pm]

Sorry for your loss. My Dad is nearing end of days due to cancer and old age. He too has many firearms that will become mine at some point. I have been helping take care of them. I don't have anything against a restoration of a firearm. Savor the memories and enjoy that Colt.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I used to be into muscle cars. An un-restored original in excellent condition was the highest value vehicle. But a professionally restored numbers matching example was worth nearly as much.

Odd how that doesn't jive with the classic firearms community.

What would you rather own?

Professionally restored to original specs...

View attachment 1156751

Or still in original un-restored condition?

View attachment 1156752

Sorry, but this 1970 Mustang is not really an apples to apples comparison.
An unrestored unmolested original car will always bring more money than a restored car, IF the cars are in the same condition.

In your top picture, you have a very clean car. Your bottom car is clapped out and would require a ton of work and money to bring it up to the same condition.

Just last year had a guy buy a 1970 Chevelle LS5, spent 30k. After dropping 120k into this thing, just recently sold it for around 200k.

Yep the restored version brought more, but put that car next to an all original gold class at auction, it's gonna get smoked.

Nobody in the classic car world would say a word about restoring that bottom car, it needs a restoration.
But take an beautiful original car that has a few scratches or dings and you repaint it, yeah you are hear it cause you destroyed the value of an original car.

It all depends on the condition of what you are starting with.

 

[Ironicaintit]

It's a 1969 Mustang. I have a 70 rotting in my yard that isn't worth squat, except for it's sentimental value, and parts.

OP, it's yours to do with as you please. You want to honor your dad by restoring it? Do that. I kinda doubt that you have any plans to sell it anyway.

Sorry about your dad

 

[lysanderxiii]

It really depends on how well the work was done, and what condition the piece was in before work was done.

My Dad had a Colt 1851 Navy that was good condition, no pitting, but patchy bluing and a little browning were the holster wore. As a "favor", my Grandfather had it re-blued.

All the the sharp corners were buffed round, the cylinder engraving is almost gone, and the frame is blue . . .

On the other hand, I have taken a pitted pre-war S&W M&P .38 Spl and Parkerized it, after removing a much rust and pitting as possible.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Collectors tend to ruin the fun for everyone else pertaining to the items they collect.

Drive prices up which causes hoarding of their preciouses. Meanwhile regular folks who just want to have a good time are being poo pooed by them.

In the end everyone has to just do their own thing. Whatever brings them and you the most joy.

I have broken in a few nice very little fired guns pretty much NIB and told the naysayers to shove it. I won’t be bringing it with me where I am going so I will use it for what is was meant for until then.

You should absolutely do with those guns what will bring you the most pleasure out of them. In your case it would be preserving the memory of your father. You should enjoy that gun in the same condition he did.

 

[Tallball]

My Mustang is a 67. It runs just fine.

People will point out that re-bluing a firearm, putting on aftermarket grips, etc. will harm its collector value.

The OP's situation is different. It's not an investment and he's not going to sell it.

Condolences on your dad. I lost mine ten years ago and still think of him every day.

 

[ontarget]

I'm sorry for your loss OP.
Prayers to you and your family.
I don't think a restoration is ever a problem.
I'm of the opinion that you own it, do what makes you happy.
I think most would agree that there is a difference between actual restoration of a classic and modification.
That's why we have services like Turnbull.

 

[TitanicTortilini]

Collectors tend to ruin the fun for everyone else pertaining to the items they collect.

Drive prices up which causes hoarding of their preciouses.

Which is ironic since people "ruining" these firearms makes the unmolested ones more scarce, and one would think that would drive up the value of the one's they are "preserving", no?

 

[drband]

Condolences on your Dad’s passing @Trey Veston . Enjoy his guns however you see fit.
I have my Dad’s only gun, a Remington 1100 16 gauge, and I have cleaned it up, done cold blue touch-up, and cleaned/polished the stock. I will pass it to (one day) one of my sons to remember their Grandaddy.

 

[WisBorn]

The value to you is much more important than what anyone else thinks.

If it was me, I would have it redone! It will always be Dad's gun!

I think that I may hunt with my Dad's rifle some once he passes away. I will put a new scope on it. Doesn't hurt the sentimental value.
Of course I borrowed him the scope that is on the rifle 20 years ago but that's a different story....

 

[ontarget]

Which is ironic since people "ruining" these firearms makes the unmolested ones more scarce, and one would think that would drive up the value of the one's they are "preserving", no?

Exactly. I would be smiling if my K38 was the last unmolested specimen in existence!

 

[earlthegoat2]

Which is ironic since people "ruining" these firearms makes the unmolested ones more scarce, and one would think that would drive up the value of the one's they are "preserving", no?

Value is relative but if we are talking about money then collectors drive up the cost of acquisition predominantly which deprives folks of lesser means the ability to ever try them out. And yes, I get that it works the same way for cars, gemstones, and many other things.

I buy and sell guns a bunch. Few of them have more value to me than their monetary value. I like to try new firearms even if they are out of production.

Sometimes I get an urge and sell several firearms to finance the purchase of an expensive one and then play with that one for a bit before maybe hunt a season or two and it too will usually hit the road. It’s a cycle.

It makes it so I can have experience with a larger number of firearms than just buying and buying and buying.

Exactly. I would be smiling if my K38 was the last unmolested specimen in existence!

That would be pretty awesome. Then you could shoot the heck out of it.

 

[GEM]

Value is psychological. Do what you want. The practical issue is whether you plan to sell items as collectibles. Different genre have customs on whether restorations decrease value. Cleaning collectible coins is a major no-go except for archaeological research to determine details. Paintings get restored to bring them back to glory for viewing. Different genre.

 

[bannockburn]

Trey Veston

I'm very sorry for you and your family as to your tragic loss. A day doesn't go by when I don't think about my father.

As others have already written, it doesn't really matter what other's believe in regards to collector's value and whether a gun is original or refinished. They're your guns and what you choose to do with them is entirely your business and no one else's. Honor the memory of your father in your own way.

God bless.

 

[Jim Watson]

I find no controversy in restoring a damaged gun, or even a less elaborate refinish that a close examination can spot. I own several such.

A well used gun is a different thing. I would not refinish "honest wear", especially on a "collector's item" even at the "museum quality restoration" level.

Restoration of a neglected or beat up gun is where the hard decisions come in. How bad is it, how much is it worth in money or sentimental value now, what is there to gain in appearance or resale value?
Mr Turnbull used to say he would not refinish a scarce gun unless it was worth more than low condition price + restoration, but I doubt that can be done any more except in very unusual cases.

Me?
I would have the OP gun given a competent refinish and not sink restoration money into it.

 

[TomJ]

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I'd absolutely have the gun restored, as IMHO the connection the gun has to your dad is more important than just having another gun to shoot.

 

[jdsingleshot]

I think my dad would have loved the idea of anything he owned being restored to the condition it was in when he bought it new. That's certainly the way I feel. I do, however, like to leave an historic item in the condition it was in when in use. But even then, I have built three rifles on Mauser actions that were not at all rare and were incomplete or had worn out barrels and modified stocks.