Question re restoration and value

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by John Dallas

I must have studied too much Microeconomics in Grad school. Declining demand while supply stays the same = lower prices. Demand for our guns is declining

This is probably more applicable to restored guns than very high original condition guns. There are only a limited (and diminishing) number of original condition guns while the number of restored guns increases every year... month... week...

We see asking prices on very nicely restored guns but when they sell we are rarely privy to the sell price... while when a 'benchmark' gun changes hands we never even know about it sometimes for years - and the price is subject to conjecture because that is information that is rarely ever shared.





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[C grade]

Another factor is "restored" or "fluffed up" guns are way too often represented as all original. I have first hand knowledge of restored high grade guns going thru auction as all original and guns being represented by "reputable" dealers" as all original actually being complete restorations. I recently saw a $78,000 sale of all original Parkers latter turn out to be restored guns. This distorts the $$$ paid for what.
David

[Steve Hodges]

This is a very interesting post. I guess it boils down to what makes you happy. A well worn but honest Parker has been used for what it was intended for or a restored version of that gun that may or may not simulate what it looked like coming out of the factory. When I first got into buying and shooting Parker's I thought the latter. I was lucky to find and purchase, at a very reasonable price, fairly rare 16 gauge ejector gun, one of 24 such guns made in its configuration. The gun showed plenty of "honest" wear but functioned perfectly. I immediately sent it off to one of the top restoration shops that we all recognize for a total, authentic restoration. The wait for the return of my prize was almost unbearable. The day it arrived I could not wait to open the box and see what a "new" Parker actually looked like. To say my reaction was total disappointment would be an understatement. Yes, the wood looked perfect, the rust bluing on the barrels was beautiful and the case colors bright and colorful. To bright and colorful. The gun looked "perfect" and yet I was totally disappointed with it. The restorer had done nothing wrong or imperfect. Not his fault. I sold that gun within a month of getting it back restored. I now like original Parker's that have mellowed with time. After all, we all have.