BH Again, Help with Value, Restore or not?

[Bruce Day]

Don't mess with it. If you are going to sell it, let the next owner risk a bad restoration. There is one restorer who would do a wonderful job, but since you are selling it, the safe bet is to not. There is a possibility that a first class metal restoration would add more than the cost of the restoration, but you would have a 6-9 month delay and a $1500 to 2000 investment. It is not certain that you would gain, particularly since you have shown photos here and interested purchasers would know that it is restored.

The history is interesting, but all these high grade Parkers have an interesting history. Unless its somebody beyond the normal high end fame and fortune, it won't add value in my opinion. If it were Gen Patton, a president, Hemingway, etc it would make a difference, but if its just another monied banker with a mansion on the hill, well, so what? I can trace back several of my guns to interesting people and it makes a nice story, but it doesn't add to the value.

You can talk up the straight stock, about 20% of B's were straight stock, but those who favor straight stocks were and still are in the clear minority however they talk about how desireable straight stocks are.

Here is the 2012 Fjestad Blue Book page. I'd call it 30%, others will have their own opinions.

[David Noble]

That gun is just too nice to warrant restoration IMHO. I don't believe it would increase the value enough to offset the expense of doing it, and I don't believe it would increase the desirability any. It's a shame about the replacement barrels, but short of finding the originals, anything else is just going to be a replacement anyway that would need to be divulged at the time of sale. At least they are possible Remington replacements.
The condition and provenance of this gun is enough to justify it's collectability, desirability and value just as it is. The PGCA letter proves it was used as an "exhibition" gun.
I would recommend putting time and effort into documenting Mr. Brewester, his ownership and use of the gun including family or historical pictures of him holding/shooting the gun etc. Possible avenues of information could be garnered from gun clubs and newspaper/magazine articles from the local area. A man of his standing surely would have been noted in local publications if he particpated in shooting events. Usually this kind of provenance will add interest to the gun and make it easier to sell.

[edgarspencer]

Eric, I think your photos are quite good, and perhaps it my aging eyes, but I failed to see anything that would even hint at the thought of doing any restoration, freshening or otherwise. So, I'd have to agree with Mister Day: "Don't mess with it". I thinks it's the rare exception where 'restored' trumps originality in the price realized, but even more rare when it ups the desirability. It's 'original' only once.
It's only my opinion, and I'm sure it doesn't apply to every gun listed in the Blue Book, but I don't put a lot of import on their paint brush valuations. If selling your gun is the plan, trust the better dealers, known for actually selling high grade Parkers, to guide you. An 0 framed B will pretty much sell itself, Remington barrelled or not.
I don't recall the previous thread by you being deleted, but, if a post fails to meet the forum's guidelines, I don't think the moderators differentiate between PGCA members and non PCGA members.