restoration vs. refinishing

jeffs · 11-07-2008, 01:23 PM

Dear experts

If a particular Luger is collectible, as opposed to being just a "shooter," I understand from reading here that refinishing kills the value. Why would refinishing kill the value, while "restoration" apparently does not? Does refinishing necessarily imply winding up with something different, such as a changed color, alteration of numbers , or alteration of proof/inspector marks?

Is it conversely true that restoring or refinishing a shooter increases its value, or is that an entirely subjective judgment, subject to the eye of the beholder?

Thanks for your thoughts on this!

Jeff

Aaron · 11-07-2008, 02:28 PM

Who says "restoration" does not reduce value? IMO it does, only not as much as a "refinish" and much less than a "reblue".

The Virginian · 12-09-2008, 02:52 PM

I think it depends on what is considered a restoration and to what degree. For example if the pistol has one part that has the bluing worn off like a side plate or screw, and then these are properly re-rust blued to match the pistol with no loss of detail, I'd say it is improved. If the gun has what I like to call a "sympathetic restoration" which is really a good thorough cleaning generally this helps maintain value. A junker that is expertly restored should also increase in value. An over buffed reblue will even ruin a shooter grade junker's collector value forever. I personally always try to go with the "sympathetic restoration" first and even that should not go too far to remove too much "patina" on the gun or making it too shiny by over polishing it with steel wool as is the case with many "original finish" guns that have been rubbed down to bare metal.

11-07-2008, 01:23 PM	#1
jeffs User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	restoration vs. refinishing Dear experts If a particular Luger is collectible, as opposed to being just a "shooter," I understand from reading here that refinishing kills the value. Why would refinishing kill the value, while "restoration" apparently does not? Does refinishing necessarily imply winding up with something different, such as a changed color, alteration of numbers , or alteration of proof/inspector marks? Is it conversely true that restoring or refinishing a shooter increases its value, or is that an entirely subjective judgment, subject to the eye of the beholder? Thanks for your thoughts on this! Jeff

12-09-2008, 02:52 PM	#3
The Virginian User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Potomac Falls, Virginia USA Posts: 107 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I think it depends on what is considered a restoration and to what degree. For example if the pistol has one part that has the bluing worn off like a side plate or screw, and then these are properly re-rust blued to match the pistol with no loss of detail, I'd say it is improved. If the gun has what I like to call a "sympathetic restoration" which is really a good thorough cleaning generally this helps maintain value. A junker that is expertly restored should also increase in value. An over buffed reblue will even ruin a shooter grade junker's collector value forever. I personally always try to go with the "sympathetic restoration" first and even that should not go too far to remove too much "patina" on the gun or making it too shiny by over polishing it with steel wool as is the case with many "original finish" guns that have been rubbed down to bare metal. __________________ All my C&R guns are shooters

11-07-2008, 02:28 PM	#2
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Who says "restoration" does not reduce value? IMO it does, only not as much as a "refinish" and much less than a "reblue".