Rebluing, what does it do to the value?
- Thread starter jonh1373
- Start date
This is a 19-3 that I bought because of the bluing loss. Not sure what was done but the photo shows the area in question. The rest of the gun is excellent with just normal handling wear. I don't know if I want to keep this or peddle it down the road and that is why I am asking the questions. If a 19-3 has a factory refinish what do you think the value would be compared to selling as is and what kind of value do you think it has now?
The bluing loss in the photo is only on the side plate, not on the underside which is a reflection.
The other option is to try some cold blue but I doubt it would match very well and may look worse.
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ColbyBruce
Member
This is my S&W 58 with holster wear and some light freckling on the cylinder. I gave $550.00 for it in the fall of 2008. I will send it back to the factory and have it nickeled when I retire in 1.5 years. I will have about $800.00-$850.00 in it then. I don't care. I will own this until I die, which hopefully will be a long while from then.
Tom_R
Member
This is my S&W 58 with holster wear and some light freckling on the cylinder. I gave $550.00 for it in the fall of 2008. I will send it back to the factory and have it nickeled when I retire in 1.5 years. I will have about $800.00-$850.00 in it then. I don't care. I will own this until I die, which hopefully will be a long while from then.
I actually love it like this, it is sweet, but it will be sweet if you have it nickeled too.
You might be able to get some grips that would cover a lot of that.
ColbyBruce
Member
I would say that gun got blood on it. I popped a low flying quail once with a Ugarteachea 12 gauge SxS and it splattered all over the ends of the barrels. I got spots like that on my barrels.
Tom_R
Member
Bring it to a good shop, and see if they can touch up the rough spot and get a match instead of redoing the whole thing.
Other than that, it's a nice gun, real nice.
BTW, there are places like Fords that will also refinish it, and it will look factory new,can't be BETTER than what the factory will do. But see if a smith can touch it up.
JimC
Member
Not an S&W but, some years ago ( 80's?) I had an earlier model Colt Detective Special that was in excellent condition but the finish was worn from daily carry. It was great shooter as well.
I sent it to Colt for a re-blue. They did a great blue job on it. In fact, it looked better than new guns at the time.
A couple of years later I sold that DS
and didn't lose a dime, in fact I think I made a few. 
I was up front with the buyer and supplied the paperwork from Colt on the re-blue. He didn't care one bit because it was a factory job and it looked great.
I sent it to Colt for a re-blue. They did a great blue job on it. In fact, it looked better than new guns at the time.
A couple of years later I sold that DS
and didn't lose a dime, in fact I think I made a few. I was up front with the buyer and supplied the paperwork from Colt on the re-blue. He didn't care one bit because it was a factory job and it looked great.
UncleEd
Member
S&W rebluing restores its value.
Talk to Smith or an honest to goodness
collector. (Rare or "historical" Smiths would
be the exception.)
Also, since it's gone through the factory, it is
virtually a new gun as Smith, like Ruger, isn't
going to let a gun go unless it's up to factory
specs.
Talk to Smith or an honest to goodness
collector. (Rare or "historical" Smiths would
be the exception.)
Also, since it's gone through the factory, it is
virtually a new gun as Smith, like Ruger, isn't
going to let a gun go unless it's up to factory
specs.
I'm still really new at this stuff so I really can not give an intelligent/experienced answer when it comes to re-blueing and values.
I can give my opinion on what I look for in a gun. I don't care for re-blued guns and have a hard time telling if a gun was re-blued or not as long as it was done very well.
With that said, why would you even consider not telling the buyer up front "this gun was re-blued"? Questions like this "scare" guys like me who are just getting started in this hobby. It makes the buyer "not believe" the seller. Now I'm not saying it's the sellers fault I didn't know what I was doing. The Buyer MUST do his home work as well. It's your name and reputation. Be 100% honest man.
Some times all a man has is his word. Once that's in doubt, he ain't got nothing left.
Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now.
Bob
I am usually 100% against refinishing / reblueing any arm.
Especially if its miltary.. but.. given that s&w is still around and you HAVE to have it looking new.. i agree with the folks recommending s&w to do it. Thats the only option if it was mine. I can't tell you how many times i come across a Generation 1 colt SAA that was heavily buffed and sloppily reblued ... which killed 75-90% of the value. Makes a 4k gun become a 1k...
Especially if its miltary.. but.. given that s&w is still around and you HAVE to have it looking new.. i agree with the folks recommending s&w to do it. Thats the only option if it was mine. I can't tell you how many times i come across a Generation 1 colt SAA that was heavily buffed and sloppily reblued ... which killed 75-90% of the value. Makes a 4k gun become a 1k...
Triathloncoach
Member
I had a local gunsmith hot blue my worn 17-2. I'm not hung up on the value as it was definitely worn, but I'm disappointed in the blue. It looks more black matte.
I bought a S&W 30 two years ago. Glossy blue finish. The seller didn't disclose the reblue. But I still paid a fair price, tho not the good deal I had thought. Shame on him, he is still around my local board. No more deals with him.
I bought a S&W 30 two years ago. Glossy blue finish. The seller didn't disclose the reblue. But I still paid a fair price, tho not the good deal I had thought. Shame on him, he is still around my local board. No more deals with him.
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I think if the re-blue is a factory job the price of the gun is not diminished. As an example is a NYPD 1946 M&P I got last winter. It was sent to Smith in 1974 for Refurbishment. The only thing that Smith did which was not good IMHO was to replace the stocks. Other than the darker cylinder ring that is barely visible the gun looks new. I haven't lettered it but I'm sure they re-blued it as part of the refurb.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/407619-nypd-1947-m-p.html
I bought it as a shooter but upon receiving it I can't bring myself to shoot it. So I picked up a model 15-3 in it's place.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/407619-nypd-1947-m-p.html
I bought it as a shooter but upon receiving it I can't bring myself to shoot it. So I picked up a model 15-3 in it's place.
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Two rules I have always seen on this forum are;
1. All S&W's regardless of number manufactured and condition are "Collectable".
2. Any change you make to it, regardless of how small, destroys it "collectors value."
The problem I have with this attitude is it totally deprives the owner of any enjoyment they will have by having their handgun modified or refinished to what they like.
I have a Model 10 that was owned by a private security company. The blue finish is well worn from holster wear. Shortly after I brought it the cylinder started locking up when I shot it. I could have returned it to the store but choose instead to send it back to the factory. The gun was returned to me with what appears to be and feels like all new internal parts including hammer and trigger. If I was to get the gun reblued by someone who knows how to properly do it the gun would easily pass for mint condition. I consider rebluing it time from time. I also keep considering having it hard chromed to make it into a practical outdoor working gun that will withstand the weather.
In regard to your gun based on your pictures I would not have it refinished. Blue finishes are delicate, wear off easily and is not very rust resistant. In the condition you describe it has a lot of appeal to folks like me that want one for concealed carry.
However Model 19's are far from scare. If it increases your enjoyment and pride of ownership go for it.
1. All S&W's regardless of number manufactured and condition are "Collectable".
2. Any change you make to it, regardless of how small, destroys it "collectors value."
The problem I have with this attitude is it totally deprives the owner of any enjoyment they will have by having their handgun modified or refinished to what they like.
I have a Model 10 that was owned by a private security company. The blue finish is well worn from holster wear. Shortly after I brought it the cylinder started locking up when I shot it. I could have returned it to the store but choose instead to send it back to the factory. The gun was returned to me with what appears to be and feels like all new internal parts including hammer and trigger. If I was to get the gun reblued by someone who knows how to properly do it the gun would easily pass for mint condition. I consider rebluing it time from time. I also keep considering having it hard chromed to make it into a practical outdoor working gun that will withstand the weather.
In regard to your gun based on your pictures I would not have it refinished. Blue finishes are delicate, wear off easily and is not very rust resistant. In the condition you describe it has a lot of appeal to folks like me that want one for concealed carry.
However Model 19's are far from scare. If it increases your enjoyment and pride of ownership go for it.
Waywatcher
Member
This is only true of guns in decent condition.
A vintage 2013 model 10 with 15% finish left will not lose value if refinished by S&W. It also won't go up in value equal to the cost of the refinish.
If the gun is in remotely decent condition, refinishing is unnecessary and unwarranted.
Get serious
Rebluing or not. What your gun value actually is, is what it will sell for on the open market, not what YOU think it is. Lets face it, half of you have lower integrity than the other half. The lower half will ALWAYS try to find a way to take advantage of the ignorance of others. One of life's lessons.
Rebluing or not. What your gun value actually is, is what it will sell for on the open market, not what YOU think it is. Lets face it, half of you have lower integrity than the other half. The lower half will ALWAYS try to find a way to take advantage of the ignorance of others. One of life's lessons.
kthom
Member
I've only ever had one revolver refinished. I bought a blued M-13 3" barrel a couple years ago. It checked out OK upon inspection when I received it at my local FFL. I've been inspecting revolvers for many long years. The action was good but felt like it needed a good cleaning of the internals. I accepted it and took it home. I began the cleaning process and when I removed the sideplate, I found that the hammer stud was broken. I reported same to the seller who told me to go jump. Stuff happens! I contacted S&W and sent the revolver to them for an estimate for repairs. As it was, the nice looking revolver was a paperweight!
I received an estimate for replacement of the hammer stud and the necessary complete reblue/refinsh required to make things right. I bought the revolver with intentions to keep it so I let them proceed. I got it back in due time in excellent condition with a very decent refinishing job and all internals in as new condtion. The bluing was not the same as the original deeper blue but it was very good and acceptable to me since I bought it as a shooter in the first place. I doubt too many folks would recognize the difference between it and an unfired one. It's not for sale, but if it was, it would be advertised as refinished at the factory. At today's prices, I expect it would return 2/3 of what my total investment is in the revolver. I'm happy with it, although still not happy with the seller!
I had the choice of having a paperweight or a working revolver. I now have an excellent working revolver that also looks very nice! I'm still offended at the attitude and actions of the seller, but he's gotta live with himself and that's his problem. I'll get my money's worth out of my ownership and I like and trust the revolver as much as if it were a new one when I purchased it.
So it depends ... it's your money ... but my experience with a factory refinish was very good and I'd recommend having it done at the factory if you choose to refinish it. I believe reporting a factory refinish at the time of resale, should that come to pass, will not be as negative to most as a lesser quality job. Some just don't want a refinished gun period. That's OK. But I am happy with what I've got here, even if I do have more money invested than I expected in it to begin with. It's a keeper for me!
I received an estimate for replacement of the hammer stud and the necessary complete reblue/refinsh required to make things right. I bought the revolver with intentions to keep it so I let them proceed. I got it back in due time in excellent condition with a very decent refinishing job and all internals in as new condtion. The bluing was not the same as the original deeper blue but it was very good and acceptable to me since I bought it as a shooter in the first place. I doubt too many folks would recognize the difference between it and an unfired one. It's not for sale, but if it was, it would be advertised as refinished at the factory. At today's prices, I expect it would return 2/3 of what my total investment is in the revolver. I'm happy with it, although still not happy with the seller!
I had the choice of having a paperweight or a working revolver. I now have an excellent working revolver that also looks very nice! I'm still offended at the attitude and actions of the seller, but he's gotta live with himself and that's his problem. I'll get my money's worth out of my ownership and I like and trust the revolver as much as if it were a new one when I purchased it.
So it depends ... it's your money ... but my experience with a factory refinish was very good and I'd recommend having it done at the factory if you choose to refinish it. I believe reporting a factory refinish at the time of resale, should that come to pass, will not be as negative to most as a lesser quality job. Some just don't want a refinished gun period. That's OK. But I am happy with what I've got here, even if I do have more money invested than I expected in it to begin with. It's a keeper for me!
pa5906tsw
Member
Factory refurb/refinish with all the supporting paperwork would not hurt the firearm's value. It shows continuity and attention to detail in the care and maintenance of the piece. Sending it to Bubba, absolutely.
peterdeb
Member
I purchased, from a fellow member here, a re-blued revolver that was masking pitting. Poor pictures let me purchase it. Immediately upon receipt I noticed it and wanted to return it for a full refund. He would not take the return. All I could do is leave a negative review of him here. I am now stuck with a revolver worth half of what I paid for it. I'm still PO's. IF you have it re-blued and then sell it I strongly urge you to provide details of the re-bluing.
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