Question about the value of a weapon

[heavyshooter]

Does a revolver lose value if part of it is re-blued?

I used to think I despised Smith & Wessons (I'm a Ruger man). It turns out I despise the newer ones, but I adore the older pinned and recessed guns. So I have been scooping them up whenever I see them. I have a revolver that I came across in the consignment section of the local gun store. The frame of the gun is nearly pristine. It still has the original S&W luster and one would never know that it has been fired. But the cylinder is in rather bad shape. Most of the blueing is gone or dull. There is pitting and rust all over it; it does not look like it belongs on the same gun! I looks like it is the result of foam case storage, but I do not see how the rest of the gun would have gone unaffected. It's a mystery.

I am considering sending it to Smith and Wesson or Turnbull Restoration or Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing to re-blue the cylinder. It's one of my Model 27-2's. It was produced in 1975/'76 and I am a little attached to it. So I have two questions:

1) I was wondering if it would lose value if I had the cylinder re-blued?
2) Can anyone attest to the Smith's or Turnbull's bluing process and quality? Is there anyone else you would recommend? Remember, I am going for the same 1975 factory blued look.

Of course if you have had it done I would like to see photos.

 

[forindooruseonly]

1) I was wondering if it would lose value if I had the cylinder re-blued?

Yes, to a collector it will. It's no longer original. Another problem that some people have with reblued guns is that it is an attempt to hide the gun's history. Not many reblue a gun that is in very good or excellent condition, so when a reblued gun pops up, one automatically suspects it has had a hard life and wasn't taken care of. Price drops accordingly.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

If the cylinder it that far gone, rebluing it likely won't cause it to loose value, it likely won't add value to it either....70's Smiths aren't rare, so for the most part collectors only want pristine ones, anyway...Rebluing the part will make you feel better. Do it and enjoy your gun.

 

[Flint Ridge]

If it is just the cylinder - why not reblue it. It might look a little different, though they usually do and in this case it will be a major improvement. Most don't like the reblued guns as they have to be polished down and this takes metal away and dishes out screw holes and wears at the stampings, etc. Just doing the cylinder should be pretty cheap. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[BlkHawk73]

If you're that attached to it to be looking at the likes of Turnbull to do the refinishing, I gotta guess it's something more of a keeper for personal reasons than one that's likely to be sold/traded. In such a case does monetary value really matter?

 

[Old Fuff]

"Collector value" is a relative thing. Hard core S&W collectors aren't particularly keen on post-war guns unless they are like-new-in-box condition, and they'll pay big bucks to get what they want. More "relaxed" ones still want examples with the original finish (or at least most of it) intact. Shooters are much the same, but will accept less if the price is right. I suspect that none of them wouldn't be interested in your model 27 in it's present condition unless they could steal it.

So I wouldn't worry about any collector value. Looking down the road, things may change - but you'll probably die of old age before then.

This is a long winded way to say that if I had the gun I'd get the cylinder reblued, and consider doing the whole revolver to be sure the finished matched. I would also be sure to pick a first-rate shop to do the work, because anything else would likely reduce, rather then enhance the value.

 

[SaxonPig]

Agreed. To a collector a refinished cylinder would reduce value. Do you care?

If rebluing is all that is needed S&W will do it for around $60. I had one done a couple years ago and you can't really tell it was refinished. If there is pitting then the cylinder is ruined.

This is the gun with the refinished cylinder. It developed rust spots in storage. Can you tell?

 

[451 Detonics]

Turnbull does some of the finest bluing in the country today...not to mention case colors. If done properly it will enhance the value of your gun, especially as it has finish issues now.

On this Ruger Turnbull added a steel ejector rod housing, removed the "book", married all the seams so grip, frame, trigger guard, all fit without any raised surfaces. Then new case colors and bluing...

 

[Guillermo]

Since you are "attached" to the gun (and a fine weapon it is) I would suggest that you forget collector value. It sounds like it is a keeper.

If the gun is otherwise in good shape the cylinder would bug me and I would not hesitate to reblue or replace it.

 

[RidgwayCO]

The only weapon I've had re-blued is a Winchester Model 62A breakdown, pump action, in .22S/L/LR that dates to 1939. It was my dad's first (and only) gun, and the first gun I ever shot. After he died in 2003, my brother and I found it in his closet in pretty rough shape (mostly surface rust, although the bore was in remarkably good condition). My brother let me have it (gladly, since he hated guns), and I debated for a while over what I should do with it.

I finally decided that the collector's value was nil due to the condition, but that I wanted to keep it for sentimental value. I took the 62A to my local gunsmith, Keith Carey in Montrose, CO. He looked it over thoroughly and suggested a complete restoration as another option, because the internals were so good. I took Keith's advise and the 62A turned out very nice. The rust is gone, the metal looks as it did when new, the original wood now looks new/terrific, and it still shoots wonderfully. Also, since it's no longer "original," I don't feel like I have to baby it or keep it "unfired."

Since the restoration, I've taken it to the range a couple of time to share the shooting experience with my daughters, and they obviously enjoyed shooting "Grandpa's old rifle" a lot. Believe me, those were special days at the range...

 

[Hondo 60]

Since the restoration, I've taken it to the range a couple of time to share the shooting experience with my daughters, and they obviously enjoyed shooting "Grandpa's old rifle" a lot. Believe me, those were special days at the range...

That is the difference between being a father and being a Dad!
If you could see me, you'd see a man standing up & applauding.


To the OP:
If the gun were mine, I'd reblue it & love it.
I've seen some guns that were professionally reblued... just stunning!

 

[Malamute]

I don't think you need a Turnbull job to refinish a cylinder. The factory will do outstanding work. It will probably look like a factory finish,.....

Buffing off the edges and dishing the screwholes is not the sign of a refinish, it's the sign of a poor refinish. The factory will probably be the best value, and be able to do excellent work, they do this every day.

As far as the value of a refinshed gun, a factory refinish will likely be the least hit in value (compared to an original finish gun in good condition) without going to custom level work, and then, you're not likely to recover the cost of custom work.

 

[CraigC]

Yes, it will certainly lessen the value, regardless of whether a shooter or a collector is buying it. That is, over a pristine example. Over what you have, then certainly not, it will only increase its value as nobody wants a rusted gun. I also agree that there is no reason to send it to Turnbull. S&W, Ford's or Accurate Plating & Weaponry would do a fine job and would be all that is necessary to just refinish a cylinder.