How much value does an antique lose when rechambered or ''re''-finished

[Johnyy]

Very nice work! I like the 'original' look on the Damascus, I'll have to try that.

to put some perspective on refinishing from low value to useful; the two images below, hopefully illustrate what I am describing

more open for debate is refinishing damascus shotgun barrels from uniform dark brown/black patina to something closer to how they originally started out

My personal preference is to be able to appreciate the attractiveness of how the barrels left the manufacturer and if refinishing changes their value up or down a small amount, that is unimportant to me because I am not refinishing them for resale. My intention is to enjoy the pleasure of shooting them

cheers mooncoon

 

[emerson]

I like it when people “refinish” antique guns because the value goes down and I’m a shooter, not collector.

 

[saskbooknut]

There is "sensitive restoration" where a gun finish is improved, but not to make it look new. This sort of restoring requires a knowledge of original finishing techniques and style.
There also is refinishing that looks like "lipstick on a pig", not what you want on an antique firearm.

 

[rwnblack]

I enjoy bringing a severely neglected guns back to life. I know it they aren’t worth a fraction of rifles in original condition but I love shooting them so I suppose it doesn’t matter. Here is a Ballard I bought basically as scrap iron. It is a great shooting 38-55 now and I don’t feel guilty at all...

 

[Moe]

ewnblack There is something to be said about bringing them back from the edge of lost forever to a working gun. Very nicely done.

Cheers
Moe

 

[Ashcroft]

I enjoy bringing a severely neglected guns back to life. I know it they aren’t worth a fraction of rifles in original condition but I love shooting them so I suppose it doesn’t matter. Here is a Ballard I bought basically as scrap iron. It is a great shooting 38-55 now and I don’t feel guilty at all...

View attachment 511770

Beautiful restoration on a near basket case. I'm sure this gun never looked this good when new. But work of this quality only comes at a stiff price and really is a vanity project ( a worthwhile one if your pockets are deep enough) and unlikely to enhance the value by an amount equal to the total cost. I applaud those that make a silk purse out of a sow's ear like this, the goal is worthy for carefully selected candidates but the skill and/or financial resources isn't available to most gun owners. Nice gun, I envy you.i

 

[trevj]

I enjoy bringing a severely neglected guns back to life. I know it they aren’t worth a fraction of rifles in original condition but I love shooting them so I suppose it doesn’t matter. Here is a Ballard I bought basically as scrap iron. It is a great shooting 38-55 now and I don’t feel guilty at all...

View attachment 511770

I don't blame you for not feeling guilty, that is a hell of a nice custom job, and much nicer than say, some of the Varmint Specials that were built on Winchester High wall actions in the era after they were no longer considered fashionable.

LOL! Campbell, in one of his books on the Winchester, relates a tale of a fellow who heated his gunsmithing shop, burning the stocks off Target High Walls and using their barrels in the concrete floor instead of rebar!

At the time that those Ballards were 'the shiznit', about all I can see in the build that might raise an eyebrow is the curled over schnabel on the fore end cap. That's a bit off the time table, and out of a different sort of rifle.

Truly a striking piece of wood, and as striking a piece of work! A hell of a gentleman's walking gun!

I would kindly suggest that this is exactly the opposite, of what the 'antique' guys rail about, as far as reducing value. You took something ugly, and made beauty out of it.

 

[powderman]

[

, about all I can see in the build that might raise an eyebrow is the curled over schnabel on the fore end cap. That's a bit off the time table, and out of a different sort of rifle.

???????????? I own and have seen many original Ballards with fore end caps much like on rwnblack's rifle which, by the way is a fine looking gun, and I think worth much more now than when he started.

Regards

 

[rwnblack]

I appreciate the kind comments on the Ballard. You’re right if I had to send this to the US for restoration it wouldn’t be worth it but I enjoy doing it and trying to recreate the processes used. The wood came from Windsor Plywood, the barrel is a TJ liner and DOM tubing from Steel-Met. I have a particular weak spot for Ballard basket cases. Here is a 22 I did and it is my favourite 22 by a long stretch. I used a model 75 Cooey barrel inside and it shoots like crazy. I was able to salvage the original buttstock but had to make a new forend. Plain but I could shoot it all day. Great for 200 yard Silhouette as well as gophers. I do have an original Ballard Pacific and it will stay all original but it is in very nice shape for it’s age. So I figure if the antique is in reasonable shape leave it alone, if is a basket case bring it back to life. Next up this winter is a 32-20 ballard - basket case getting a new Ron Smith barrel.

 

[ArtyMan]

to put some perspective on refinishing from low value to useful; the two images below, hopefully illustrate what I am describing

more open for debate is refinishing damascus shotgun barrels from uniform dark brown/black patina to something closer to how they originally started out

My personal preference is to be able to appreciate the attractiveness of how the barrels left the manufacturer and if refinishing changes their value up or down a small amount, that is unimportant to me because I am not refinishing them for resale. My intention is to enjoy the pleasure of shooting them

cheers mooncoon

Absolutely stunning work!

 

[mbogo3]

Refinishing is like virginity...........you can't put it back!

 

[skwerl]

I had a Stevens 44 which had depreciated to the point
of not much collector value .
The bore was xlnt , it shot & cycled fine.

My Gun Doctor rwnblack completed a restoration
and not only tuned up the trigger & extractor he
increased the value 100 % .

This is now a fine looking rifle and a great shooter.

 

[tiriaq]

I remember a chap bringing a Colt 1911 into the shop. He wanted it refinished; original finish was pretty much gone, brown and gray. Magazine had the loop on the bottom. US martial markings.
Serial number was 12XX. i.e. first year of production issue pistol. I refused to refinish it.

 

[iron cat]

I remember a chap bringing a Colt 1911 into the shop. He wanted it refinished; original finish was pretty much gone, brown and gray. Magazine had the loop on the bottom. US martial markings.
Serial number was 12XX. i.e. first year of production issue pistol. I refused to refinish it.

I think in that case I would want a full restoration done by Colt themselves, then you have a letter of authenticity.
My guns are not really collector items although II have some rather well known brands, but they are very functional shooters, when I look at a gun II don't look at it as an investment, I look at it in a useable fashion. I once turned down a highly prized and expensive Browning Superposed that was owned by a famous person simply because I would want too take it afield, and I already had a few nice 20 gauges.
Cat

 

[tiriaq]

I think in that case I would want a full restoration done by Colt themselves, then you have a letter of authenticity.
My guns are not really collector items although II have some rather well known brands, but they are very functional shooters, when I look at a gun II don't look at it as an investment, I look at it in a useable fashion. I once turned down a highly prized and expensive Browning Superposed that was owned by a famous person simply because I would want too take it afield, and I already had a few nice 20 gauges.
Cat

I told him that if he absolutely had to have it refinished that it should go to Colt. This was a possible option then.

 

[tacfoley]

@Mr RWNBLACK - Absolutely stunning craftsmanship, Sir. What a beauty is is.