% Finish Remaining - Discussion...

saxman · 10-23-2003, 09:04 PM

To me, the rating of remaining finish is a completely objective calculation, having nothing to do with whether it is glossy or not. It is simply estimating the square inches of surface area and the percent not covered by a surface treatment (bluing, Parkerizing, baked-on finish, whatever). We do the same thing when rating finish on saxophones (lacquer, silver or gold plate) and other horns, and the importance of original finish is the same. Admittedly, it is very difficult to sit there and estimate the total surface area of any irregularly shaped object, but you get a feel for figuring the rough percentage of area where the finish is gone. The gray areas start to become a factor when the finish is very worn but can still be recognized as other than bare metal. I handle these areas by taking half the area as covered. My one and only Luger has a 1920s factory rust-blue refinish of which about 75 to 80% remains. I have a 1953 Colt commercial Government Model with about the same amount of original 'Royal Blue'. I think most people err on the conservative side, actually cutting the percent of finish a little short, because they haven't taken the time to measure and derive the surface area of the gun. Bottom line, seeing the gun in question with your own eyes or via good pictures is the only way to know for sure what's there. I've seen guns advertised as 60% that would go 80% in my book. Of course, most people also take a little off the top when advertising a gun so they don't get in a shouting match about 5% one way or the other, so that's certainly a factor. When I advertise a gun, I state the % of finish as a value, along with bore condition, originality, etc, etc. so the buyer can make an intelligent assessment. I never try to 'sell' anything. I put it out there for what it is. I wish everybody did the same. I agree that the NRA rating system for modern guns and for antique guns has become muddled out in the real world, and a stated condition like 'very good', or even 'mint', has come to mean nothing. What particularly gets my goat is a statement like "Excellent condition for it's age".

10-23-2003, 09:04 PM	#10
saxman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 301 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	To me, the rating of remaining finish is a completely objective calculation, having nothing to do with whether it is glossy or not. It is simply estimating the square inches of surface area and the percent not covered by a surface treatment (bluing, Parkerizing, baked-on finish, whatever). We do the same thing when rating finish on saxophones (lacquer, silver or gold plate) and other horns, and the importance of original finish is the same. Admittedly, it is very difficult to sit there and estimate the total surface area of any irregularly shaped object, but you get a feel for figuring the rough percentage of area where the finish is gone. The gray areas start to become a factor when the finish is very worn but can still be recognized as other than bare metal. I handle these areas by taking half the area as covered. My one and only Luger has a 1920s factory rust-blue refinish of which about 75 to 80% remains. I have a 1953 Colt commercial Government Model with about the same amount of original 'Royal Blue'. I think most people err on the conservative side, actually cutting the percent of finish a little short, because they haven't taken the time to measure and derive the surface area of the gun. Bottom line, seeing the gun in question with your own eyes or via good pictures is the only way to know for sure what's there. I've seen guns advertised as 60% that would go 80% in my book. Of course, most people also take a little off the top when advertising a gun so they don't get in a shouting match about 5% one way or the other, so that's certainly a factor. When I advertise a gun, I state the % of finish as a value, along with bore condition, originality, etc, etc. so the buyer can make an intelligent assessment. I never try to 'sell' anything. I put it out there for what it is. I wish everybody did the same. I agree that the NRA rating system for modern guns and for antique guns has become muddled out in the real world, and a stated condition like 'very good', or even 'mint', has come to mean nothing. What particularly gets my goat is a statement like "Excellent condition for it's age". __________________ You can lead 'em to the water, but you can't make 'em drink.