[shotgunworld]

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When you collect shotguns, the experts don't want reblued shotguns. The experts want original, unmodified shotguns. That's fine.

However, after talking to a collector/gunsmith, I got to see the folly in such a limited approach, because you get the same situation that occured in automobiles.

Collectors wanted "original" in autos. However, in addition, a cateogory was established for restoration to original standards. This restoration category was instituted for one reason....RUST.

Like my gunsmith friend says, "We just lose way too many collectible guns to rust every year." He wanted to see more interest in authentic restoration of shotguns, in particular.

You know what I think is the nicest of the restoration trends. It's when a loved one dies, who loved hunting or clays, and the family members restore and exhibit the shotgun, or, even use the gun after restoration. I have seen four families do this over the last five years. The guns aren't authentic...they just look good for family members. I like that idea.

Along the same lines, I see more and more shooters bringing back old shotguns; not for collector value, but just so they look nice...I like that too. It seems like a wonderful hobby.

bustabuck
Shotgun Expert
Posts: 41
(9/13/02 10:17:29 am)
Reply Re: Restoration Trend
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I don't personally collect shotguns, or firearms in general, for that matter, based on their original condition or appearance. Many of the firearms I own were given to me by friends or were purchased at a very good price because of their appearance. If I can find a mechanically sound firearm at a good price, I will usually buy it, regardless of appearance. One of my favorite hobbies is restoring firearms to shooting condition. This usually means rebluing the metal to protect it from future rusting, refinishing the wood to make it more asthetically pleasing, replacing springs and/or pins...the usual.
It is a source of great satisfaction to me to take an old shotgun that someone has relegated to a corner of a closet, fix it up and make a great shooter out of it.
None of my firearms are "collectors." They are shooters. It is nice to have a firearm that is pleasing to look at and appreciate, but it's far better, in my opinion, to have a firearm that's not only nice to look at, but is a dependable shooter that can be handed down through the family.

TheWingshooter
Frequent SW Visitor
Posts: 23
(9/13/02 1:33:53 pm)
Reply
Re: Restoration Trend
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I'm just beginning the process of restoring an L.C. Smith 12 ***** to original condition. Resale isn't a factor for me, I want an older firearm with character and history. I care that it's in sound condition and pleasing to look at. I don't have 20k to drop on a nice old side by side, and I don't care if it's 100% original.

However, I will spend $1000 to make it look nice again. Rebluing the barrels, redoing the case colors, recheckering and refinishing the stock. I haven't the time to do them myself, and really aren't that expensive and can be done as finances allow. I don't ever plan to resell this, but more to have something to hand down to my children someday.

sxsboy
Registered User
Posts: 5
(9/13/02 9:22:05 pm)
Reply Re: Restoration Trend
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I'm with Bustabuck and Wingshooter. I love to find a gun that's been neglected for dozens of years if not centuries and bring them back to life. I also like to see how many heads turn to see what I'm shooting this week and taking home money to boot. To me the restoration is as much a part of owning a gun as shooting it is.

Good shooting, Joe

gunndealer285182000
Shotgun Expert
Posts: 31
(9/15/02 5:44:09 pm)
Reply Re: Restoration Trend
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There is nothing with restoration of a gun in certain period of gun history, however many so called "gunsmiths" claim to restore to original when they butcher up to original. they don't have the knowledge or the ability to properly polish and also to reblue the gun accordingly to the original guidelines of that gun. It takes a restorer years to study the process of blueing and its many types and also gun/wood finishing to get it back like it was when it left the original factory. Now there are a number that are so good that instead of returning to 1005 original, they return say 90% so it will look aged and they are so good, that if it is an expensive classic gun, a professional appraiser should be called because the average gun nut cannot tell. I believe in having a gun redone, blueing and wood, but I believe in having it done by someone that knows how to do it also and keep it out of the hands of the butchers.

 

[Guest]

I found this site looking for shotgun info, but my own passion is training young shooters to respect and enjoy guns. To this end I "collect" old .22 rifles and restore them to usable condition. I occaisionally sell one to a new shooter via their parents but mostly I keep them and use them for training. I agree that guns should be valued as shooters rather than collector peices. I get great pleasure bringing some unwanted relic back on line. I first got interested in this when I found out my rifles bought new were now classified as vintage! maybe I'm vintage too!
Dave blackburn
[email protected]

 

[Guest]

I agree with the sentimental value deal, when it comes to restoring a firearm. I myself have an old 16 ga. Double.
that I found out is called a hardware gun. These were mass produced for Western Auto, Sears etc. There value isn't great but the one I have was my fathers. I am in the process of restoring it now. I just finished making a firing pin last night as a mater of fact. It will take a lot of work but when I'm finished, it will be a fine family hierloom.

 

[Kitsap]

Seems to me that we're really talking about two very different levels of restoration here..... there is the functional level where historical accuracy (of the bluing or other finishing process) isn't that important to the owner and then there is the historical restoration where - to the maximum extent possible - the effort is to restore to original as-new or nearly as-new condition. There's probably a big difference in cost.

Aside from seeing a good gun go to ruin due to neglect.... I think it is equally sad to see a good gun be fully restored at great expense only to be "put under glass" never to be used again. Rather like finding someone who's selling an older gun in very good condition (bluing 90% or better)..... a good find for the buyer but it also means that here is a gun that's not been used for many years. Classic guns are classics because they work well..... restore them and use them till they wear out then restore them again and use them again.

 

[ruger4570]

Well, you have brought up a 6 year old thread. If you want a gun restored in appropriate blueing and case coloring, talk to Doug Turnbull in Bloomfield, NY. He has a web site under his name also.

 

[Sweet Sixteen]

Great thread with all the different views on restoration. I recently inherited my granddad's Rem. 11 and I have thought long and hard about having it restored. I've finally decided to leave it as is with the exception of some mechanical issues. Really my only desire is to make it mechanically sound again so I can go out and use it. I just could'nt bring myself to take away all the wear the gun exhibits knowing that my granddad was responsible for it. For me, there is something genuine in having a family gun like that. However, I certainly understand the other point of views. If I were going to have it restored I would put it back as close to original finishes,etc.. as possible. I just can't see making a gun anything else other than what it was originally. My two cents. David.