| Author |
Message |
Dengebre
Ink's Still Wet on My License!
Username: Dengebre
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 1:28 pm: | |
I am a newbie "cruffler" so please forgive what may be dumb question. In addition to a life long interest in military firearms, I also pride myself as being somewhat of a restorer (old furniture, houses, cars, etc.). I was hoping to combine these two interests and be able to restore my firearm acquistions to a greater value. Is this an ethical and accepted practice? Would I actually be lessening the collector value of the gun by refurbishing it? Thank you in advance for your advice. |
Tom_beatley
Ink's Still Wet on My License!
Username: Tom_beatley
Post Number: 11
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 2:30 pm: | |
There are some IF's involved in the answer to your question:some people are against restoration in any form; they tend to buy with a "purist" philosophy that involves weapons that are in pretty good condition in the first place ( for instance late 1800's Colt SAA's).These would lose value in more than one way if restored.
Another category involves battlefield relics of established provenance; most people think that these should be left as-is, no matter what the condition. I personally agree.
Having said this, let's talk about most antiques that are still are the market today: I tend to buy stuff in poor condition with every intention of restoration. Purists pass these over, but I know that I will enjoy restoring them, which is most important to me. From experience I know what I can do and how far to go with the restoration. There's nothing worse than an antique that has, for instance, had corners rounded-off by too much polishing, and then brightly reblued.
Make a decision about what you are capable of doing, then buy the equipment to do it right. Be prepared to make an intelligent decision about how far to go. Talk to other collectors ( not dealers), decide whose opinions you respect. Then stick by your Guns!(pun)
Enjoy. |
Jrhines
Ink's Still Wet on My License!
Username: Jrhines
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 3:59 pm: | |
Only under the most unusual circumstances would "restoration" increase the value. My aim is to conserve the firearm, to keep it from farther demise. Removal of external rust and dirt is fine. Removal of old patina and rebluing is, IMHO, not fine, and degrades the value and collectability of the firearm. If you are bringing a firearm back to shooting condition, so it can be used in competition or reenactment, then I belive that more extensive repair and part replacement is in order. Removing modern finishes and refinishing using the old, original methods (oil, wax, French polish)is OK in some circumstances. The problem I have with most restored guns is they look like old guns that have been reblued and varnished. |
Whb99
Ink's Still Wet on My License!
Username: Whb99
Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 10:19 pm: | |
i feel, that if it's worth anything as a collector, it'll be worth more in original condition rather than restored. if it's not a collector, then knock yourself out! i've got a spanish m43 8mm that was "customized" when i got it. turned down bolt, barrel is tapered, not stepped(i'm pretty sure it's the original barrel, somebody had to work at that!), and a big ole Herter's semi-finished stock that feels like a 2x4! i got it for $75, cause even though it looked okay, the reciever had been drilled for scope mounts, and they didn't get that part right! i was able to fix that, mounted a scope, and tried her out.... wouldn't put 2 bullets in the same piece of paper! got to lookin at it, and the muzzle didn't look like a "crown", more like a funnel! i thought what the hell, i cut the barrel off even with the front sight with a cutoff whell in a die grinder, made some brass lapping tools, got a can of clover, and went to town! i tried it with winchester factory ammo, and it shot okay! tried some off the wall foriegn soft points, they shot low, but still okay, maybe 3" at 100 yards.... time to work up a load. i wound up with 47 grains of wcc852 surplus powder and 200 gr speers shooting 1 inch groups at 100 yards all day long! WOW!!! an 8mm spanish surplus varmint rifle! not quite a restoration, but i'm happy with it! |
Dooley
Ink's Still Wet on My License!
Username: Dooley
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 8:43 pm: | |
I understand alot of Crufflers like Spanish firearms. I just bought a mint all matching 1955 La Coruna. I also own a nickel .40 A-75, a blue .40 A-100, and the last of the "black widow" Cetmes with a muzzle break. |
Dooley
Ink's Still Wet on My License!
Username: Dooley
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2004 - 8:45 pm: | |
I understand alot of Crufflers like Spanish firearms. I just bought a mint all matching 1955 La Coruna. I also own a nickel .40 A-75, a blue .40 A-100, and the last of the "black widow" Cetmes with a muzzle break. |
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