Refinishing Effect on Value?

[thedane]

I would like to solicit comments on refinishing's effect on "collector" value. I know that refinished guns are almost always less valuable than original finish guns. Assuming the refinished gun appears to be new and was done at the factory, no blurring of stampings, smoothed over edges etc., is there a percentage of value that the gun usually loses? Is there any difference between refinished nickel, blue to nickel, blue to blue and nickel to blue?

This also assumes that the parts are all as new and the gun functions as new.

[fighter62]

Originally Posted by thedane

I would like to solicit comments on refinishing's effect on "collector" value. I know that refinished guns are almost always less valuable than original finish guns. Assuming the refinished gun appears to be new and was done at the factory, no blurring of stampings, smoothed over edges etc., is there a percentage of value that the gun usually loses? Is there any difference between refinished nickel, blue to nickel, blue to blue and nickel to blue?

This also assumes that the parts are all as new and the gun functions as new.

What specific gun are You asking about? A rare collectible will lose a lot of its value. I just bought a 2 1/2 inch model 19 form 1977 that was totaly redone by Smith and wesson, I mean totaly. Inside and out. the gun is like new in every way. If the same gun had a lot of wear , but was 100% original, I would not pay more for it . I woudl want to pay less. But if the same gun was minty and 100% orignal , it would be worth more .

[diamonback68]

Anytime you re-finish whether it blue to blue, blue to nickel, etc, the collector value goes way down. To me it is no longer a collectable and the value drops to half.

[kennyb]

re-finish to me is ok if the gun is a shooter

[danski]

My understanding from guys who've called themselves collectors is that a blue-to-blue refinishing on a Smith, assuming it's post WWII I think, does not diminish its value as long AS S&W DOES THE REFINISHING. S&W puts a code on the grip frame under the stocks to indicate it was factory done.

I suspect the same is true with nickle-to-nickle but I'd wonder about that since the nickling process has changed quite a bit from 50 years ago.

Your best bet is to call S&W and find out just what it does today in terms of refinishing.

[Alk8944]

It all depends on the gun. Any top-break S&W or any not very common Hand Ejector which has value due to it's rarity will have it's value diminished by re-finishing. Any more common gun such as almost any M&P (revolver!) which has a finish in such condition that you would consider having it re-finished probably has no significant collector value to begin with and would be considered a "shooter". In that case value/saleability may actually be increased by re-finishing, but never by nearly as much as the re-finishing will cost if done correctly. It will never gain any "collectability".

Shoot it as-is until you find a better one then trade or sell it and get the nicer one. Just remember, no matter how careful you are with it if it is used it will eventually show signs of use, finish wear usually the first and most visible.

[borntoraisehogs]

For value sake , I would rather have it original even if most of the blue is gone , the buyer can decide . I have cleaned up several guns , neglected in cabins and left in boats and so forth . remove the rust , Blue Wonder to touch up . Very close match .

[srgvaz]

Originally Posted by borntoraisehogs

For value sake , I would rather have it original even if most of the blue is gone , the buyer can decide . I have cleaned up several guns , neglected in cabins and left in boats and so forth . remove the rust , Blue Wonder to touch up . Very close match .

+1

If the gun is rusting and looks like .... would you buy it? If that same gun was cleaned and selling at the right price as a shooter? If that gun was factory redone inside and out? why the hell not -for the right price-
Example: I just bought a model 10-6 at a "pawn shop" $165. OTD the gun looks like it came out of the old west but the mechanics, bbl, & cylinder are solid and clean like a bank vault. Am I going to send it to S&W for refinishing -NO- but I will clean it up so rust doesn't eat away at it and I'll possibly try out the blue wonder stuff. Either way I just found a 'truck gun' I can ride an ATV down a dusty road with it, shoot in the rain -whatever the situation calls for and it won't make me flinch if I bump into something like the new $550. gun does. Don't get me wrong I like my new guns but it's cool having a different gun for different activities/purposes. At the range my CCW gets at least a box through it while the shooter gets around three in the same time period -have fun and shoot straight/safe.
If you're worried about value remember you get what you pay for every once in a while you do find a gem that polishes off nicely but that doesn't happen every day.

[Nanook 450]

I've seen some restorations by Turrnbill (sp) and a couple of others that would not decrease the value of the gun. Depends on who does the work. After a long time in deciding, I took my Great Grandfather's side by side Remington to a master gunsmith who was dying of cancer and needed the work. He was a master at case coloring, rust blueing and brought the wood back to life. I like it a lot more than the old pitted gun it once was - but it is tight, never shot much.

[thedane]

What if in 1980, for example, I purchased a Model 27-2, Blue, 8 3/8" with partridge sights. I then sent it back to the factory, still in mint condition, to have the barrel shortened to 5 inches, red ramp/W/O sights and Nickel Finish? Are customized guns more or less valuable?

What about special orders?

[BruceM]

Having the barrel reworked reduces the value to that of a shooter grade gun. Ditto for most other custom work. The collector value is gone and you can never recoup the cost of any custom work from another buyer.

Guns special ordered from the factory are another story and are worth what a specific collector is willing to pay.



Bruce

[Wee Hooker]

I never got the refinishing = low value thing. Sure I can uderstand if someone is asking a premium price or the gun is super collectable but for a common shooter??...
Honestly, I preffer reblued guns when I can find them. Nothing better than paying 1/2 price on a gun that looks new ;-)

FWIW, In the recent past, I found a 39' .22 Outdoorsman that had been reblued for only $175. Mod 19 Snubby, factory reblued went home for $225, mod 1905-2nd issue for $175 because of reblue. Keep em coming!

[BobK]

If a collecter is buying a refinished gun, he will cut you down to half the price of an original gun, in the same condition.

I use my guns, but like a nice looking gun. A refinished gun would be fine with me.......but, depending on the quality of the refinish, would only be worth a "shooter grade price" to me. Say, maybe, 75%.

Collecters are a very fussy bunch!!! Bob

[GLL]

Collector value…zippo ! Fun value to me at the BBQ…priceless !

There is a big difference to me between true collector value and “would I want to own it “ value!

Jerry

[GCT00427]

Where did you get those grips, GLL? I would love to have a set of walnut for my Grandfather's .44 special that dated back to the late 20's.

I have battled the refinish thing myself for many years. The gun is mechanically sound. It has a bit of pitting in the cylinder and the barrel. He had also filed the hammer spur off. I did have a new hammer spur grafted on.

The gun is really pretty nice, but I have thought about getting it restored and reblued.

Regards,

Chuck

[WVfishguy]

GLL, nice photo, how 'bout a little info on the gun?

[mel023]

Fwiw,
Most of the value guides for firearms (and I wouldn't doubt the SCSW uses this approach too) use the percentage of "original finish" as their standard. They generally follow the NRA condition grades as part of the process in establishing a firearm's condition. A firearm which is 100% NIB is valued at the top of their $ scale. The same model with a finish rated 50% or less is going to be valued lower. A refinished firearm by definition has 0% original finish even it looks brand spanking new. Hence the tendency to value them lower.
To me a bigger issue is where the heck do they come up with the values they actually publish in these guides. There is frequently a big disparity in values for the same model in the same condition.

[Wzrd]

Jerry, If I may, could you point me in the right direction to get a value for a 30's K-22 in, and I'm guessing here, 75% condition. Would that be a "shooter"? That's how I've been using it. Any info appreciated. I am located in FL.
Kevin

[rkjent]

Are todays shooters tomorrows collectables?

I like the looks of a professionally done re-blue job. But how do you know if you are lowering the price of of a gun that may be worth something in a few years?

Originally Posted by diamonback68

Anytime you re-finish whether it blue to blue, blue to nickel, etc, the collector value goes way down. To me it is no longer a collectable and the value drops to half.