Question re restoration and value

[mobirdhunter]

Hi, Dean,

No need to be humble -- I'm sure your experience has earned you an informed base for your observation. Frankly, [I]I[I]don't have the experience or expertise to draw any conclusion about what a gun in whatever condition is worth...except that I'm sure I've paid more than a gun was worth because I fell in love with it, regardless of whether or not it was restored. I certainly look with interest at some dealers of nice American guns that seem pretty darned high based on the fact that they were in part or whole "restored." As far as Brad's observation, I assume he was basing it on his observation. We all have bias. I know I do.

I do think the valuing of American guns to be intriguing. I hope someday to find one I love that I can buy for what I -- and maybe some more informed folks -- deem to be a great bargain. In the meantime, I'll muddle through trying to find the next ideal gun for my collecting/shooting interests.

For what little it's worth, I know (and care) nothing for the price and value of old cars. I can't keep up with guns, not to mention cars.

[Bill Murphy]

Benchmark guns will always be more interesting to collectors than professionally restored guns when we discount the couple of sales that are completed while uninformed buyers bid on these restored guns while the benchmark guns rest with their owners, waiting for the next buyer. Sorry, that's just the way it is.

[C grade]

I completely agree with Dean. A well restored gun is more difficult to sell and worth about 50% to an original
David

[edgarspencer]

I agree with David's estimate. A restored gun, compared to an equal condition, original gun is not worth 80%, but closer to 50%.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by David Dwyer

I completely agree with Dean. A well restored gun is more difficult to sell and worth about 50% to an original
David

It sure would be informative -- and interesting -- to know what some of the higher priced restored guns actually go for. We can see this at the auction sites that post the sale price, but don't have that information from the dealers. One would think they put the price somewhere near what they think they can get. How near?

It also begs the question, is a gun's value what it sells for or what experts think it's worth? I could argue both ways...but will leave that to others.