To Restore or Not To Restore

[Mike Jones]

I have just purchased a Parker DH that has blued Damascus barrels. I can have them restored for $350. From a purely financial standpoint would I add more than that in value to the potential selling price of the gun or is it better to leave it as is.

[Dave Suponski]

I would think it would add to the value of the gun. Many here are having their damascus barreled guns refinished.

[Eric Eis]

I would agree with Dave if the rest of the gun is in good condition, have a smith check to see if they were rust blued or hot blued, if they were hot blued you might have problems with rib separation so that checked out first.

[Pat Dugan]

Depending on how much you paid for the gun, I might just get some vinegar and take the blueing off the barrels and see how they look. If they have been improperly hot blued, I know I would.

PDD

[Mike Jones]

I have had two gunsmiths independently look at the shotgun and both say that it has been rust blued and is in sound condition. Barrel thickness is also in spec. The gun is in quite nice condition with sharp engraving and very good wood and checkering. I paid less than $2k for the gun. How would that affect things?

[Dean Romig]

If done well it can only enhance the appearance and the value of the gun. It'll look as it should.... I would.

[Patrick Lien]

I have had two gunsmiths independently look at the shotgun and both say that it has been rust blued and is in sound condition. Barrel thickness is also in spec. The gun is in quite nice condition with sharp engraving and very good wood and checkering. I paid less than $2k for the gun. How would that affect things?

I purchased a similiar dh at Vegas last year wiht damascus barrels that had been blued. The gun was in super condition and so had the barrels re-done. I think the result are great and if your gun is in good condition I would encourage you to do the same. Blue on damascus is like lipstick on a pig IMHO.

Patrick

[Mark Ouellette]

Mike,

I am glad you finally bought that DH. You certainly did get a good price on it!

Do as advised; remove the blueing and then determine how it looks to you.

Face it, a Rem 870, Benelli autoloader, or so on are very functional shotguns. They are dependable, handle okay (for many shooters), cost much less than a Parker, and bag Ducks, geese, pheasants, and deer. Nothing wrong with those guns!

YOU however bought a Parker because you wanted to own and shoot something special. Don't procrastinate again. Just send the barrels to Craig Smith of Circlefly Wads, Brad Bachelder in Grand Rapids MI, Dale Edmunds or other KNOWN Damascus restorer, pay them the tiny sum of $350 and before the snow melts you will have a gun that even those who frown at old Damascus guns will envy. YOU will be PROUD to shoot that 100 year old piece with the beautiful Damascus barrels!!!

Mark

[Dean Romig]

.....or like chrome over gold.... or linoleum over beautiful hardwood.

[Mike Jones]

Bill Schwarz is near me. Does he do good work on Damascus?

[Mark Ouellette]

Mike,

I do not know your location nor do I have any information as to the quality of the work of Bill Schwarz. Brad Bachelder has redone four Damascus barrels for me for which his work was excellant. Craig Smith and Dale Edmunds also do excellant work.

Maybe some of the other forum members can comment on Bill Schwarz's work. Very negative comments should of course be sent via a Private Message (PM).

Mark

[Richard Flanders]

I agree with the masses. Considering what you paid for it, you'll still have far less than it's value into the gun after the bbls are 'fixed' and are as they should be. I would do it in a heartbeat were I in your position. I have a gorgeous damascus DH12 and it is an extreme pleasure to hold and shoot it. The bbls are a work of art and true beauty to behold. Go for it.

[Ed Blake]

Make sure whomever redoes your barrels does the black/white finish rather than the brown/white finish seen on British guns.