Re-bluing & Value

goarmy · February 22, 2005, 02:18 PM

Will the value of a gun decrease if it is restored and re-blued from its original condition?

Cazach · February 22, 2005, 02:38 PM

Yes, on almost all cases, anything other than the actual original finish begins to reduce the value of the item.

That being said, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. A potential buyer may or may not care about the finish.

Jim Watson · February 22, 2005, 03:18 PM

What sort of gun are we talking about? A big name antique is better left as is if there is any original finish remaining at all. As the long time collector told me, 100% reblue = 0% original finish. Most collectors dislike any form of refinish.

True restoration is very gradually getting to be accepted to some degree. Doug Turnbull, one of the best and best known, said he took a well worn Winchester worth about $2000 and made it look like new, whereupon it sold for $9000. But if it had been in truly excellent original condition, it would have been worth $15,000.

Something common and of recent manufacture, I think is ok to pretty up if you want to.

Be advised that "restoration" and "rebluing" are not the same thing. You do not likely get a gun restored by the guy with a buffer and bluing tank behind the hardware store.

goarmy · February 22, 2005, 08:07 PM

The handgun im reffering to is an old JP Sauer & Sohn .32 ACP, thanks.

Jim Watson · February 22, 2005, 09:25 PM

Those are not particularly common, but not particularly valuable. You could not have a full restoration done for the price of the gun. But a common reblue would wipe out most of what value it has.
How bad is it?

February 22, 2005, 02:18 PM	#1
goarmy Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 4	Re-bluing & Value Will the value of a gun decrease if it is restored and re-blued from its original condition?

February 22, 2005, 02:38 PM	#2
Cazach Member Join Date: December 9, 2004 Posts: 58	Yes, on almost all cases, anything other than the actual original finish begins to reduce the value of the item. That being said, it is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. A potential buyer may or may not care about the finish.

February 22, 2005, 03:18 PM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	What sort of gun are we talking about? A big name antique is better left as is if there is any original finish remaining at all. As the long time collector told me, 100% reblue = 0% original finish. Most collectors dislike any form of refinish. True restoration is very gradually getting to be accepted to some degree. Doug Turnbull, one of the best and best known, said he took a well worn Winchester worth about $2000 and made it look like new, whereupon it sold for $9000. But if it had been in truly excellent original condition, it would have been worth $15,000. Something common and of recent manufacture, I think is ok to pretty up if you want to. Be advised that "restoration" and "rebluing" are not the same thing. You do not likely get a gun restored by the guy with a buffer and bluing tank behind the hardware store.

February 22, 2005, 08:07 PM	#4
goarmy Junior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 4	The handgun im reffering to is an old JP Sauer & Sohn .32 ACP, thanks.

February 22, 2005, 09:25 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Those are not particularly common, but not particularly valuable. You could not have a full restoration done for the price of the gun. But a common reblue would wipe out most of what value it has. How bad is it?