value of reblued P.08
 

First, I apologize if this isn't the correct place for this question.

Second, I'm not contemplating doing this, just making a general inquiry.

I have a 1939 S/42 with all matching numbers in about 75% condition. If I had the gun reblued, how much value would be lost? Current Blue Book (for whatever that's worth) is about $1400 +/-. Thanks in advance for any info.

Tom, welcome. if its 75% bluing then that value sounds too high.


You reblue, you now have zero finish and the value is about $600-$800


A professional restore would bring the value up, but cost $500-$1000 I would think...

Ed

Thanks, Ed. Until you mentioned it, I never looked at rebluing as reducing the finish to zero. That makes sense, and explains a few things to me.

As far as the current value, I just used the Blue Book price for a 70% gun with one matching mag, which I neglected to mention I had in my original post.

Thanks again.

Common opinion rates refurbished gun as half value.

I noticed "half value of what" has two versions: (1) half value of new gun or near new gun; (2) half value of 80-85% gun.

Probably depends on context, how rare the gun is, how was the job done, who's looking at it, etc, etc.

Using BB value, 1939 S/42 98%->$1850, 80%->$950. Applying (1), refurbished S/42 is $925; applying (2), refurbished S/42 is $475.

70% S/42 BB value is $850.

Thanks, Alvin. My Blue Book says 70% is $950, plus 50% for one matching mag. I'm using the thirtieth edition, page 1136. Is there a later version?

Tom Did I see this gun for sale by you on another site or am I confused? David, Macomb

Tom, I have never found that a matching mag will bring "me" 50% increase in value. I have found it brings about 30% if I am lucky.


Ed

Thanks, Ed. That's why, in my original post, I qualified my Blue Book statement with "whatever that's worth". I realize that BB values are, at best, a "guesstimate".

Yes, sir, you did.

I was reading 26th BB. So the book value is $100 higher now. If I am considering, matching magazine does not add anything on a reblued gun. Definitely not 30% or 50% higher.

I agree with you that the mag would not add any value to a reblued gun. I'm just stating what the book said about an unaltered gun.