Rebluing lessens value?

Status
Not open for further replies.
How about trophies?

Second in the state in the year end police and military shoot off? I am a shooter, you are obviously a collector.

P1.jpg

Shall we start our own thread now:)?
 
Second in the state in the year end police and military shoot off? I am a shooter, you are obviously a collector.
Click to expand...

But if you were a GOOD shooter, you would have been able to beat me! :D

(There were only 2 of us in the class, pzgren got 2nd)
 
Shall we start our own thread now?
Click to expand...

Nah... I'm about burned out. I would have to start taking more pictures..:D

You win when you get to trophies. I only shoot in a winter Bullseye league and used to shoot in a Free Pistol league until I moved and can't find one anywhere near. Other than that it's pretty much just function tests and trying to keep up my SD skills. I do keep up with reloading, but not in mass quantities. Mainly for my carry guns and those in my collection that ammo isn't available for (at a reasonable cost.)

BTW, you say you're not a collector then what's with all the air rifles? They all look pretty much the same to me.......;)


(There were only 2 of us in the class, pzgren got 2nd)
Click to expand...

I might have been able to eke out third in that case...:eek:;)
 
So, if I was to look at this gun as a user, which I personally do, what about nickle plating instead of blue. There is not that much difference in price between the two if I send it to a professional. I like the looks of the 1908 in a nickle finish.
Click to expand...

Copper/Nickel/Chrome, which is the kind of plating Colt originally used is an option, but not an inexpensive one because both it, and the "best quality" blue finish both require the same degree of precision polishing. That said, if you are going to pay the bucks (cost is about the same) you may as well get the finish you prefer.

A usually lesser-cost option is electroless nickel or chrome where either the nickel or chrome is applied directly to the steel part. You can choose between having the parts bead-blasted (I wouldn't, but it's O.K. on a "working gun") or the more traditional high polish. Keep in mind that plating of any kind will not hide a poor polishing job.

Brownells is a gunsmith supply house that sells the equipment and materials to do various kinds of refinishing. You will find them at www.brownells.com

If you call or e-mail they will often send you a copy of the instructions covering different kinds of refinishing you might be interested in, and if you order a copy of their print catalog you will find it filled with all kinds of interesting information.

All of this is not to suggest you should do your own work, just that the knowledge is valuable when you decide which way to go.
 
But if you were a GOOD shooter, you would have been able to beat me!

(There were only 2 of us in the class, pzgren got 2nd)
Click to expand...

You might not have been able to make it through basic training, for all I know. Or come up with a sizeable collection, a serious collection, like Deadin.

So, where are your trophies?
 
I tossed all my trophies in a dumpster long ago.. five big boxes. What a bunch of junk. Kept the knives, belt buckles etc though.
 
Wether the refinish will decrease the value is highly dependant upon the gun model / rarity and its shape. The 1908 is not rare by any means and there are quite a few people who will pay around $500 for a nicely refinished one so if yours is beat up enough that it is in the $300 range you might actually increase the gun value and get all of your money back. To give you an idea a premium refinisher like Ford's will only charge $150 to redo a 1908 .25 vest pocket. I was a bit shocked when I saw a very poorly refinished one sell for $550 on GB some time ago as I had seen several very nicely refinished units go for $450 to $500 previously.

For the record the reason I looked into this is that I had a FN browning 1905 (same gun as the Colt 1908) I paid $350 for and was trying to decide on wether to refinish it or not. After seeing how much the refinished ones were going for I decided to go ahead and have it done as what I have seen them go for on GB seemed to indicate that it would actually increase the value of my gun and I would be able to get all of my money back or close to it should I decide to sell it. YMMV depending on your gun's condition and how nuch you paid for it.
 
Last edited:
Lesson the value...all depends on who does it, the particular firearm, and what its being done on.

Would I touch an original Colt Walker - NO

Most guns are not that rare. If its a quality job, it can increase the value. Look are some of Turnbull's restorations (and prices). David Chicoine www.oldwestgunsmith.com is another high quality vendor. The Colt Custom Shop is one of the best avenues for a Colt restoration.

Folks who know what they are doing, usually do the work by hand and don't round edges or mess up the lettering by aggressively buffing. More time consuming, but the final product is worth it.

I bought an older 2nd Generation Detective Special a few years back that was worn pretty thin on bluing (no rust or pits). Sent it to Colt and had the factory put their Royal Blue finish on it. Yea, the Detective Specials did not come with it - but, does it ever shine. Colt went through the gun while they had it and what I got back in my opinion is far above a NIB 2nd Gen gun. And, I've got a lot less money in it. Did the value go up over its purchased condition... :)
 
Didn't they make a whole heck of a lot of the lil .25's? I know they produced them for 40 yrs or so. I would guess that they might be worth a lot more in another 100yrs?

I wouldnt krylon it, coat it or send it to bubba thou.
 
I will not be selling this gun, it will get passed on. I got the gun through my fathers estate ,so the price was very good,and would allow me the option to refinish. I intended sending it to a professional. Wasn't sure about the price, but a little searching and I think it would be in the 200. - 250$ range. . I asked the question in regards to the 25, but also in general. And by reading the posts, I see there is not clear cut answer. Personally, I really like the looks of the nickle finish pocket guns. So...
 
I have 2 rifles and 2 hand guns that date back to the early 1900's. I refinish the stocks and changed the grips on the hand guns and refinished the metal.
Screw worrying about the gun value. I am a shooter not a prissy collector.:barf:
 
I am a shooter not a prissy collector.
Click to expand...

So, if collectors are "prissy" does that make "shooters" knuckle-dragging slobs?:rolleyes:

Actually I'm both. I have guns that I shoot and those I don't. Those I don't are quietly appreciating in value and paying for those that I do.
 
Actually I'm both. I have guns that I shoot and those I don't. Those I don't are quietly appreciating in value and paying for those that I do.
Click to expand...

Oh darn!!!

I though I was the only one smart enough too do that. :cool:
 
I will shoot anything I own with no reservations----but then I take care of all my firearms well while not cleaning/polishing the finish off. Something that is going to sit in a safe and be fondled then put back is not for me.:( So to me there is no premium on the original finish and the quality refinish is a utilitarian option that will ease the maintenance burden for me. Still I like a highly polished SS finish the best.:D YMMV
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
To reblue or not to reblue?
Replies
18
Views
657
m2steven
M
AethelstanAegen
  • Locked
Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless question
Replies
15
Views
2K
golden
G
1KPerDay
  • Locked
Colt 1851 Navy question/value
Replies
5
Views
643
Old Fuff
O
M
  • Locked
1873 Trapdoor Carbine
Replies
6
Views
766
M2HMGHB
M
M
  • Locked
Help: Need a Colt Official Police .22 expert
Replies
6
Views
502
TimboKhan
TimboKhan
Back
Top