I have a M42, wood is in excellent condition, bluing is about 40-50%. I am planning to leave this gun to my grandson who is pretty special guy. Soon he will be old enough to shoot a 410. What are your thoughts on rebluing this gun? I know the gun is very desirable, do you think rebluing would severely impact its value? Your thoughts are much appreciated. Thanks!
Winchester Model 42
- Thread starter ken1989
- Start date
The value on a standard field gun won’t change a lot . Here is the catch it will change a lot with a poor reblue I would be very careful as to who does the work . I would want to see a few specimens before I let someone reblue it . If it looks like it has been reblued then the value will drop Worst case pulled letters over buffed purple colour
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
If this is going to be an "heirloom" for your grandson, a reblue will not hurt it's value because it's value is in your lineage.
As Struff pointed out, if it's ever put on the market, a poor job will detract from it's monetary value.
As Struff pointed out, if it's ever put on the market, a poor job will detract from it's monetary value.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
As the others have pointed out, the value is of secondary importance if the gun is to be kept in the family. If you are to re-blue it then it can't be stressed enough that the person doing the job do it properly because a poor blue job is forever if the lettering is washed out and sharp lines buffed out by careless polishing.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
I agree. My dad gave me a Winchester model 12 years ago, back when people wanted them. It has the nickel steel barrel. Before he gave it to me he thought he was doing a big favor by having it reblued. Well, we all know how a nickel steel barrel turns out when done by someone who has not done one before. I wish he had left it as it was.
