Original vs TLC

[jsd245]

i think the approach you take is what you intend to do with the gun. If your only concern is collector value and resale it seems obvious that refinishing seems to hurt the value. For me- every gun I own I will shoot, so buying a gun in need of refinishing, or refinishing a gun that has had several years of use and needs freshening up is no problem for me. If I spend more than the gun is worth I will. I spent a great deal of time in my life hunting with beater guns. I don't need to any more. I like the signature one of the members here has- something like don't hunt with a gun that will embarrass your dog.

If I was looking for a gun, and I was looking at a gun in original 70% condition, or a gun that had been restored "as new" and done well I pick the restored one every time. My heirs can worry about the resale value. So in your gun's case- if you were going to sell it to me a new pad and refinished barrels would increase my interest.

I guess that's pretty much the answer that's been given before- value is only dependent on the buyers and seller expectations, so restored or original you just need to find the buyer that wants what you've got.

A guy I used to know had a funny little saying when it came to selling stuff. He'd say that there an A$$ for every seat.

[C.O.B.]

I hunt with it ( I haven't gotten anything with it yet and it's turning out to be an unlucky gun in the Grouse coverts) but someday I'll sell it and hopefully turn a profit. I don't have anything I don't use.

[C grade]

Rich
If you do the barrels you will lose value but if you gain enough enjoyment from the "new" barrels it may be worth it. Recase coloring a gun is a major loss of value, barrels less so. That is a rare gun and if it was me, I would just enjoy it as is and not create one less special Parker. A girl is only a virgin once.
David

[jsd245]

Originally Posted by Rich Anderson

I hunt with it ( I haven't gotten anything with it yet and it's turning out to be an unlucky gun in the Grouse coverts) but someday I'll sell it and hopefully turn a profit. I don't have anything I don't use.

Well then I guess that's part of the answer. If its a gun you're carrying in the grouse coverts, each year that goes by, you'll wear off a little more case color, a little more blue off the barrels, you'll get a few more dings and scratches on the stock. Let's face it- every time you bring it in the woods, particularly if the covers you hunt are like the ones I do, there is a relatively good chance some damage could happen to the gun. I fall at least once every season, and each time that I do my main concern is injury to myself or anyone around me. I'm not concerned about breaking the stock on the gun or denting the barrel. If something is going to get sacrificed it will be the gun. You seem to want to refinish it, otherwise you wouldn't be considering it. Resale obviously is not your only concern, otherwise you would put it in the safe and leave it there. You seem to want to enjoy the gun, so do what makes you enjoy it more.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Jeff Davis

A guy I used to know had a funny little saying when it came to selling stuff. He'd say that there an A$$ for every seat.

That's what we say in the automobile business and its truth rings as soundly as a bell.