Sacrilege?

[Billy.Tif]

I've got a Tingle manufacturing plains rifle that would be a perfect candidate for refinishing. There's no pitting on the piece and it's more accurate than any black powder I've ever shot, she's just a little beat up from decades of use. I am considering re-finishing the stock and re-bluing the barrel, but I'm concerned it would take away value from the gun since so few were made. I'm not aware of any grand following for these rifles but if I'm wrong hopefully somebody can correct me.

 

[Patocazador]

I'm not versed in the values of Tingle rifles but it's your rifle. If you don't like something, change it.

 

[32-20]

Looks like honest wear,I would leave it like it is. Refinishing it won't make it shoot better.

 

[Texas Moon]

Leave as is.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

You will reduce the value as a collector piece and Tingles do have their following, but will it be more valuable to YOU refinished?
Have you even considered trying to sell it?
I seldom have even considered the resale value of having my stuff the way I'd like it.

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Bob Tingle operated out of Shelbyville, IN, an early maker of rifles and single shot pistols for target shooting.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go along with those who say leave it as is. If it's something broken or in need of serious repair then that's a different story. But if all it needs is some cleaning up and some minor cosmetic touch-up, then I would say leave it be and enjoy shooting it.

 

[Mizar]

It entirely depends who will work on your rifle - I have seen (here on THR as well) numerous examples of pretty decent guns ruined beyond any repair from incompetent owners, who didn't even realize what they did. Actually, they were very proud of the their butcher job and wanted to brag about it... So, you need to be a 100% confident in your refinishing skills, or choose wisely who will work on your rifle.

 

[Billy.Tif]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think I'll just leave it alone and keep enjoying it the way it is.

On a side note, the number on the barrel of this gun is below 200. I'm not sure how he numbered his guns when he went commercial, (which is what I understand this rifle is the product of) but I'm curious if anyone knows how many were made? From what I can find it looks like the 1,000 - 2,000 range.

 

[Officers'Wife]

Once a grizzled old redneck said about his tractor - a new paint job won't make it work any harder. Your rifle has scruff marks and dings from decades of use. Each one tells a story about the weapon. Take that away and you erase the story of it's life. To me that's more a consideration than the possibility of reducing it's value.