Reblue a Triplelock?

[bigolddave]

After seeing IBSandy's post concerning the reblue of his 1917, I am wondering if I should have this Triplelock redone like his. It has been reblued, so it won't be a case of losing original finish, and my total investment so far is $75.00 for the gun, and $7.00 for the shoes it is wearing. I would probably want to have the original grips I got with the gun redone also.

 

[bigolddave]

After seeing IBSandy's post concerning the reblue of his 1917, I am wondering if I should have this Triplelock redone like his. It has been reblued, so it won't be a case of losing original finish, and my total investment so far is $75.00 for the gun, and $7.00 for the shoes it is wearing. I would probably want to have the original grips I got with the gun redone also.

 

[mikepriwer]

I think you are not asking the right question. Wondering whether you should have
the gun redone is not something most of us can comment on. Some will say yes, some
will say no.

Perhaps an easier-to-answer question would be : Would you increase the value
of the gun by having it redone ? I would say that it is doubtful. If a good
refinish costs ,say, $300, and restoring those grips costs, say, $80, then you
have a total of about $450 in the gun. I don't know if you could sell it for that.

The underlying problem with refinishing is that - generally - it does not add
value, because anybody can do it , at any time. In other words, no one is going
to pay you a premium over what you would pay to have it redone, because they can
do that much themselves , without any premium.

IF you could sell the gun, as is, for, say, $300 now, you would probably be
better off.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Guest]

Mike is right on with his comments. It is VERY tough to get your money out of a "Restoration" project because the next buyer can do the very same thing and isn't generally willing to pay for such work unless you leave it totally "untouched" after such work. Additionally, a second refinishing with do additional damage(remove) any existing markings and this particular gun doesn't appear to 'need' refinishing at this time. MAK

 

[bigolddave]

I appreciate the answers. I was just so impressed with the looks of that 1917 that I had to consider it. The looks don't bother me at all, and while I'm not yet at the don't buy green bananas stage, I can't really expect any appreciation in my time.

I bought that Triplelock a number of years ago from an old fellow that had a shop in Roscoe, IL. He had a number of very fine guns in his personal collectio; when he passed away, I bought a Second Model HE in .44 that was about 98%, and passed on a Third Model, about the same condition because I preferred the longer barrel. The Second is now gone, sadly.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Reblue it. And while you are at it, have the period grips professionally refinished as well.

I buy guns for keeps. Not to sell, and definitely not as investments. I could not care less what the refinishing did to its perceived value. I want my guns to look good. Period.

 

[MikeyL]

While I'm generally in agreement with Mike Priwer in terms of these older guns, I'm also kind of like Wyatt...I haven't sold a gun in years. My RM was reblued years ago, and as such has very little 'resale' value. I don't shoot it much, but I can! I also own a nickel triple lock that was rough; I should have kept it 'original' for value's sake, but I had the opportunity to have it renickeled by a professional. I did it, because it looks much better, and I don't mind shooting it, either, since it is 'redone'. Lost value? Perhaps. Better gun for my purposes? Yup.

MikeyL
SWCA #2010

 

[mikepriwer]

Its like I said - some will say Yes, and some will say No. That is
what is wrong with the question you asked - you get both answers !

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[azmick]

maybe a better question would be "is anyone sorry they had a gun refinished" or "is there a gun you wished you had refinished"

 

[arfmel]

I for one am sorry I had a gun refinished. Blued Model 34 4" roundbutt. I had it electroless nickeled years ago. I think it cost $125.00. I wish I had used the money toward buying another Model 34 with a 2" barrel instead.

I have also owned several over the years that I wish a previous owner hadn't refinished. And seen plenty that were refinished so badly that it was a crime. That issue is the crux of the problem I have with having a gun refinished, if the job is botched, you spent money to have your gun defaced, and you got to spend more trying to have it fixed. Even good shops occasionally put out bad work.

 

[moosedog]

I have never seen a triple lock sell for $300 or $450 in any condition in the last decade, regardless of finish.
Whats the matter with the current bluing?

 

[popgun]

I agree Moosedog. There is a big differance between collector value and market value.

 

[feralmerril]

I once gave a 1917 to a friend. He once sold amway. We were deer hunting with another friend and he got it out to show in camp. It was totaly very lightly rusted probley with some bad chemical from something that had been in the case. The other friend had a ffl and sent it back to smith. This was back in the early 70s. It came back with about the best blue job I have ever seen for about $16!
I never will say never! But usualy I wouldnt do it. I have a old 1906 colt saa, that was blued and reworked in the 50s I believe by kings gun works and old gun writer tommy bish. It has the brightist case colorings I have ever seen on a colt sa.
We/me have seen some examples of reblue better than the companys ever done themselves, but not often. It still boils down to a owners right and desires. Most times we can point out the foolishness of doing so from a moneatary value standpoint. But then again, every time I bought a gun or customised it years ago, it was for me and not for somebody I will never know in the future!

 

[Deacon KC]

I would love to have that for a restoration project!

 

[feralmerril]

Here is a triplelock sent to the factory in 1949 and sights added by s&w and probley reblued at the same time. It shipped in 1909 and I have lettered it. I one day took out 4 or 5 various .44 specials and a 29. It outshot all of them!

 

[Sebago Son]

Send the wood to DW... he can work wonders....
I sent him wood worse than these and he made them look like new.... just do it while your young!

See: http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5001039...631066062#1631066062

 

[bigolddave]

Too bad, Sebago, anything I needed to do young needed to be done a long time ago. The gun is really quite presentable, but the grips are obviously worn. From the appearance, are they likely to have been original to the gun? Serial number is 64XX, so it is quite early.

Incidentally, I sent it to Smith back in the 7o's to have it refinished. A friend sent a 20's vintage M&P at the same time. They did his, but sent back a note with mine stating they could not work on it, with no explanation. They did send it back in a nice blue box, however.

 

[Muley Gil]

Those should be right for that gun-IIRC.

Check for a serial number written in pencil inside of the right grip.

 

[M77]

I agree with these guys, doesnt look like it needs a re-blue. I have picked up tons of $50 guns and re-blued them or given them other finishes; diffrence is I have the ability to do it in house so my investment is very little. It can be a real treat when you are done.
My answer would be do it if you want to but make sure you dont put in more than its worth.
why dont you try your hand at checkering those grips. Good luck

 

[Bat Guano]

Since the original finish is gone anyway--I would leave it as is if you like it, and restore the stocks (carefully). The other alternative would be to pull out all the stops and have someone like Ford's give it the full treatment. From what I have seen, they can do beautiful work.

A friend of mine is working on a neglected TL he got from me. It came with a so-so, flaking nickel job and is a project at this stage. He has had it de-nickelled and the next thing is a factory letter to see what the original finish was. That will determine where he goes from there.

When done it will at least be better than it was, perhaps very nice. Investment wise it's a losing proposition. But as a labor of love, it might be a good thing.

It's not like there are a lot of NIB TLs around to choose from.