Question re restoration and value

[Craig Larter]

I try to avoid the pull of project guns but I have fallen in love with a few that where spot on my collecting interest. I felt an obligation to rescue a few even tho I much prefer original condition. I realize that they will never be equal in value to original but try to do the minimal amount of restoration to maintain the character without completely wiping away it's history. Thankfully we have craftsman that also understand our desire to keep then as original as possible and put them into a shootable condition. However the more restoration the more the value is depreciated. I cringe when good shootable guns are fully restored and I believe the market agrees. If in the future the cost of original guns becomes unapproachable for all but a few then restored guns will become more sought after but we still live in a time when original condition guns are still affordable.