A sad fact, guns get worn out from use and abuse, both cosmetically and mechanically. Obviously a "collector" is looking for best original condition possible. The more so the more it's worth. What about guns that are "shooters", or good deals due to some wear, or family guns with some wear. Refinish or restoration is now the owners choice. It might be a full blown stem to stern restoration by DelGrego or Turnbull. Generally I don't have to go that far and I like to leave as much that is original as possible. Usually it's a spot repair such as rebluing or rebrowning the barrels, or freshening up the checkering, or it might be mechanical such as putting a gun back on face. Sometimes one might have to undue previous work or damage such as new screws or recase a blued reciever as some examples, or you might have a stock bent to better fit you. Another case is a gun with broken toe is better cut and recoil pad added. I think I have learned to see the difference between a collectable gun and a shooter, I lean towards shooters as I intend to use them and use them a lot. I don't look to recoup my money on repairs or refinishing, I do those things because part of the gun is simply worn out but I intend to keep and use the gun. The idea of restoration to increase value is rarely going to work. I don't spend my money with that intent. I also keep notes on what I have done, who did the work and when and what I paid. Most of my shooters have been functionally and cosmetically improved with the work I have had done. Maybe some day they will be worth as much or more than I put into them, in the meantime I am having a real good time making them go bang. Bottom line is some guns are old, worn and abused, the question is do you want to bring it back and why are you doing it. No matter what is done or who did the work, don't expect a Parker shotgun that has been repaired, refinished or restored to be worth as much as anything that is 100% original.
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