When is a restoration worth it?

LugerVern · 07-02-2008, 04:44 PM

Most of the money I made as a gunsmith was in restoring old guns, I would guess that only 5% would turn away from the idea when I explained what they were doing to collectability and value, they wanted a pretty gun and one that meant something to the family, period.

To them restoring meant everything, it is only when it passes out of the families hands that it looses value.

Many families never let go of their heirlooms, to them that pretty gun is priceless, you will never get your hands on it and you can bet they value it at the top of the price range when looking at the blue book.

I once offered a family a brand new model rifle of the same one they wanted restored-- no way! They just insisted that I restore the old one. I was a bit depressed about it but did the work.

my two cents worth

Vern

07-02-2008, 04:44 PM	#5
LugerVern User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 563 Thanks: 1 Thanked 34 Times in 27 Posts	Most of the money I made as a gunsmith was in restoring old guns, I would guess that only 5% would turn away from the idea when I explained what they were doing to collectability and value, they wanted a pretty gun and one that meant something to the family, period. To them restoring meant everything, it is only when it passes out of the families hands that it looses value. Many families never let go of their heirlooms, to them that pretty gun is priceless, you will never get your hands on it and you can bet they value it at the top of the price range when looking at the blue book. I once offered a family a brand new model rifle of the same one they wanted restored-- no way! They just insisted that I restore the old one. I was a bit depressed about it but did the work. my two cents worth Vern