Visible Finish Damage to Guns For Sale

[rwsmith]

I can't afford....

... to buy very many 'pristine' guns. I wouldn't want to buy a gun with 'damaged finish', but by buying guns with some slight cosmetic issues I keep myself in stock. And I only offer what I think a gun is worth. They can ask whatever they want to. I've wanted a single action semi pistol for a long time because of my wife and son, I kept DAs. I didn't want to have pistols with different actions because, not being as familiar with them as I am, might confuse them. I finally got a 5903 my last purchase. It had some small dings around the takedown pin and a scratch on the handle, but I offered a good price and it was accepted. So I'm happy as a clam.

 

[chief38]

Couldn't agree more! I will come up with a little more to buy a gun with a great original finish and original action. I don't buy beaters ( regardless of the bargain price ) and will not buy a monkeyed with gun. I'd rather cry once and have a no-excuse gun!

 

[Valmet]

I've grown wary of the growing number of sellers who list guns as "unfired." While these are usually guns in exc condition, a moderately trained eye can spot that many of these "unfired" guns have def seen some use. As for conditions, it depends on what I'm after- if it's a gun that will see use, I'm fine with honest wear, maybe even a small rust spot or two, but if I'm buying for the collection, I'll pay a premium for condition depending on the variant.

 

[lestert357]

Pitting, corrosion (visible rust), marring, etc…. Not normal wear. Honestly, I find this to be unacceptable. It tells me that the owner did not properly maintain this gun and is a red flag to me, and I will automatically bypass if it's for sale unless I feel a restoration or refinish may be in order due to the rarity of the gun but I'd want a substantial reduction in the asking price.

Interesting thread. I paid a lot of money for the gun pictured below, maybe more than it's worth to anyone else. It has finish issues, some of which may not be considered "honest" wear. Certainly I wish it were in collector quality condition, but it's not. On the other hand it is 100% original including finish and matching Magna grips, the only known and documented S&W .357 Magnum Transitional with an 8-3/4" barrel, and very likely the only postwar S&W .357 Magnum with an 8-3/4" barrel. There is no way I would have this gun restored. It is also a LOT of fun to own! Of course I know what I paid for it, but quite honestly I don't have any idea what the true value of this gun is or how much I should ask for it when the time comes to sell it. Does anyone know?

 

[alwslate]

I've bought some milsurps before in original condition with visible rust but no pitting. Like one of my Japanese Arisakas. Not heavy rust but surface rust that will clean up. As long as price is fair for condition I see no problem.

 

[AJ]

Jim's home for wayward S&W with issues

I am non denominational will take in most anything, but mainly S&W's & Colt's and of course military issue.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My personal preferences have always been toward vintage and antique firearms so these are issues I have always dealt with.

Of course, the 80-year old piece with perfect bore and excellent original finish is worth considerably more than the same age & vintage piece with sewer pipe bore, cracked stock, and rust pits instead of factory finish. Then there is the same model that has obviously been refinished, perhaps altered from original specs, etc.

My little collection has included all of these. Sometimes a position may be filled with a representative piece (correct, but with condition issues) for years, then a better example comes along and I can upgrade that slot.

When selling I do my best to provide honest objective descriptions, which seems to be appreciated by genuine collectors and knowledgeable buyers. Seldom any problems when everything is fully disclosed up front.

There will always be differences in subjective grading issues. What one person calls 90% original finish might rate 80% (or less) in another person's opinion. This must be accepted as normal, not something to engage in arguments about.

There are always sharks in the water, aggressive hustlers trying to buy low and resell high. Some are worse than others. I've come to expect that, and find it easiest to politely thank them for their interest and wish them success in finding what they want somewhere else.

One danger that everyone involved in antiques and collectible firearms should be aware of is parts thieves, trolling internet auctions and sales, purchasing classic pieces, then swapping needed parts for worn or broken parts and demanding refunds from the sellers. This happens with antique Colts, Winchesters, etc, as well as early military pieces.

Be careful. Expect scammers and schemers. It is not only a "buyer beware" marketplace, it is a "seller be careful" marketplace.

 

[H Richard]

I had never had any gun that was rusted. Some years ago when we were doing speed shoots with .22's, (Bianchi type steel plates), I had been shooting my Mod 41. Later in the day I noticed a brown film growing on the grip frame. ( It was hot and humid that day). Found out it didn't take much for rust to begin to form in hot humid use on that matte surface grip frame. It got a good cleaning and Rig coating that night.

 

[brendonjames65]

I had never had any gun that was rusted. Some years ago when we were doing speed shoots with .22's, (Bianchi type steel plates), I had been shooting my Mod 41. Later in the day I noticed a brown film growing on the grip frame. ( It was hot and humid that day). Found out it didn't take much for rust to begin to form in hot humid use on that matte surface grip frame. It got a good cleaning and Rig coating that night.

Excellent point. I have had blued guns start to show a fine patina of orange rust in very humid tropical environments in just a day but it wipes right off with an oily rag. No pitting though! I still feel pitting is due to negligence!

 

[Brian Parrish]

Interesting thread. I paid a lot of money for the gun pictured below, maybe more than it's worth to anyone else. It has finish issues, some of which may not be considered "honest" wear. Certainly I wish it... I know what I paid for it, but quite honestly I don't have any idea what the true value of this gun is or how much I should ask for it when the time comes to sell it. Does anyone know?

For whoever shot that target the pistol is absolutely priceless. I count 18 shots and a score of 175! My hat is off to you!

 

[rwsmith]

Gollee.....

........

I do have a $50 C*** Match Target Woodsman, second series, with serious unrepairable cosmetic issues. But no buggered screws (there's only one screw, a grip screw, anyway).

Is C*** a dirty word here????

 

[AJ]

Is C*** a dirty word here????

Yep!! I was dinged for it earlier today.

 

[LVSteve]

Is C*** a dirty word here????

I'll say it - Colt, There it is, a young male horse and a make of gun. Shocking.

I had this discussion some years ago, perhaps with the same user. Their excuse was that this is the S&W forum and we should not mention other makes. Pointing out that this is the "Firearms & Knives - Other Brands" forum met with a stubborn reply about showing respect to the forum owners. No, I didn't get it, either.

 

[LVSteve]

Yep!! I was dinged for it earlier today.

Say what now?

 

[.357magger]

I've reached a point in my life where I no longer take on "project guns". Life's too short. I do appreciate a vintage pistol or revolver that's been altered with a high degree of gunsmith skill. Or even those who've had simple refinishing that haven't involved a belt sander.

Those are different than guns that have been neglected. Buggered screws are usually a good tip off of a potential rocky road ahead. But I don't have a time machine to go back and alter a guns history, and you can usually find whatever you're looking for, or close to, if you're patient.

With that being said, I'm much more in the "Shooter" category than a "Collector". So a vintage gun that somewhere in it's past a previous owner altered usually doesn't flip me out. In fact, I own several pistols that a die hard collector might pass on, but that I was happy to acquire because the work previously done, even a simple refinish, was done well.

For example, below is a 1918 Colt Black Army 1911. The finish on these were notoriously thin, subject to flaking and wear. A pristine example would be in excess of $3000 and even one with normal expected wear and thinning would get close to that. Someone in the past took time to not screw up the rollmarks and refinished it. It's a 100% matching example that I can occasionally shoot, which is precisely what I was seeking. And both the seller and myself weren't under any illusions about originality, hence the price was commiserate.

I'm happy to have it. I enjoy shooting it occasionally, and have a very good understanding of how it would have performed "in the trenches" when new, or protecting the Southern border from smugglers during Prohibition.

YMMV.

 

[brendonjames65]

Dammit! Perhaps it's karma but I've spied a very rare and ordinarily very valuable gun that has surface rust, gouges, scratches, but it is in excellent functioning condition. Perhaps it could be had for maybe 1/3 of what they normally go for.

It irritates me greatly that this gun has suffered these atrocities but perhaps it is the only way I could possible obtain one. How apropos after I mentioned my intense dislike of rust, pitting, marring and gouges!

As mentioned previously by others, price can be a very subjective thing when trying to balance a rare and extremely valuable gun with cosmetic defects, much to my chagrin.

 

[AJ]

Dammit! Perhaps it's karma but I've spied a very rare and ordinarily very valuable gun that has surface rust, gouges, scratches, but it is in excellent functioning condition. Perhaps it could be had for maybe 1/3 of what they normally go for.

It irritates me greatly that this gun has suffered these atrocities but perhaps it is the only way I could possible obtain one. How apropos after I mentioned my intense dislike of rust, pitting, marring and gouges!

As mentioned previously by others, price can be a very subjective thing when trying to balance a rare and extremely valuable gun with cosmetic defects, much to my chagrin.

Many of us can not afford avery nice collectors piece. But most of those are safe queens. I will not own a gun that I can not shoot for fear of damaging it. Much prefer something I can take to the range, let the Grandkids shoot and fun with. Do not get my sense of satisfaction by owning and fondling a piece of steel. Much prefer to shoot and enjoy my firearms as they were menat to be used.