Altering Repros, does it make a difference?

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by WmRike

There is no way you can modify a repro to increase its value. That's a starting point.

There are working repros and collector repros, but I would venture to say that the collector attitude holds sway. A person looking for a working gun will not slide as much money across the table as the collector. A gun modified to make it more "workable" is automatically fishing about in the lower pond. A gun modified to make it look better may in fact have added appeal, but the fact remains that it is not original, and that will be a buyer's bargaining chip at the time of sale.

That is an opinion; however, Parker Reproductions that have been re-case colored with Parker correct charcoal case color hardening and re-finished with a Parker correct shellac and oil finish have been selling at a premium over slightly worn original Reproductions with the thin, chemical, easily worn case colors and polyurethane varnish. The ones I am aware of, though, have not sold at an increased price sufficient to fully account for the expense of the re-finish if done at retail cost. I am aware of only a few such guns, and presumably not all. One such gun was sold at the spring Tulsa show, another by a private dealer off show.

It may be beyond the scope of the original issue, but there are also those Repros in the white that were sold and engraved by masters such as Churchill and Gournet. Those have sold at many multiples of original price. Some are owned by significant Parker collectors.

[Walt Kowalski]

Originally Posted by Jay Gardner

I didn't wait for my original "case coloring" to wear off so I did it in 5-minutes with a tube of semi-chrome. Here's my 28 ga Repro after Brad worked his magic. I think it's not unreasonable to think this increased the value of my Repro, but....

That looks gorgeous!
In my humble opinion, I think you have enhanced the value of your gun by having it case colored like it should have been done in the first place.
I would have my own done like yours if and when the original "coloring" should wear off. May I ask the cost of the work by Brad?

[Setter Man]

Walt,

Brad did the work 3-4 years ago and I honestly don't remember but it was very reasinable and therefore an easy decision. When the original color wears off the receiver is almost as shinny as chrome, not dull like an original Parker.

[Dennis]

Walt,

I am curious as to why you would use Simi Chrome to take off the reproduction case hardening. When the receiver is heated up to do a real case hardening won't it simply destroy the reproduction case hardening in the process?

Brad Bachelder sure does great work.

Dennis

[Setter Man]

If I did it over again I wouldn't bother with the Semi-Chrome.

[Wild Skies]

I wonder if that shiny nickel finish was created by applying the Semi-Chrome? After 20+ years of wear a couple of my Repros appear to be aging gracefully . . . do you think either would benefit by re-case coloring?

[Bill Murphy]

Yup, I have seen some completely white Repros and they look very much like an original Parker. If I hunted with my Repro, I would be inclined to let it grow old gracefully without refinishing. However, the Brad gun looks great.

[Setter Man]

Mine was definitely shiny, even before I cleaned off what remained of the faux-color. Had mine been as the ones pictured above I may not have had it re-done.

[Bill Murphy]

Jay, what's the deal with those screws? Did Brad do that? I'm not impressed.

[Setter Man]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

Jay, what's the deal with those screws? Did Brad do that? I'm not impressed.

I don't know what you are referring to, Bill. What specifically is it about the screws that bothers you?