To refinish or not to refinish...that is the Question

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - To refinish or not to refinish...that is the Question

Posted: 11/17/2008 1:21:07 PM EDT

I have an original US Army 1913 dated 1911, it was passed down to me and i was wondering if should refinish it. I know they were blued back then. Would refinishing it make it drop in value? what do you guys think.

Posted: 11/17/2008 1:25:19 PM EDT

[#1]

For a historical piece refinishing is usually discouraged as it makes it impossible to tell true condition for it's age.

Posted: 11/17/2008 1:40:46 PM EDT

[#2]

I wouldn't do anything to that pistol. Maybe check with a company the specialises in caring for antique firearms.

Posted: 11/17/2008 1:41:26 PM EDT

[#3]

please dont destroy that historic beauty!

thanks.

Posted: 11/17/2008 1:51:40 PM EDT

[#4]

Refinishing does nothing but take a valuable collectable & make it into a cheap shooter!

Posted: 11/17/2008 2:29:34 PM EDT

[#5]

Why do you want to refinish it?

( I am assuming that you posed a legitimate question and are not fishing for compliments)

Posted: 11/17/2008 7:49:50 PM EDT

[#6]

To answer your questions:

NO
yes,
and Don't Do it.

Posted: 11/17/2008 9:39:39 PM EDT

[#7]

I could take it off your hands on a trade for a new one.

I'm looking for an early production 1911 for a special project coming up (no, not going to customize the antique, it's just to accent the project....details later).

Posted: 11/17/2008 9:41:04 PM EDT

[#8]

The only reason I refinished my usgi is becasue it was chrome plated with gold trim when I got it. It is now a beautiful peice. I bead blasted the entire gun then polished the flats to 400. I hot salt blued for a long time to get a realy rich dark blu on it. When i blued the frame the metal wasnt a consistent color so i duracoated it in flat black. I then put on some realy dark mccormick rosewood grips. Wilson beavertail. Wislon hammer. Full length frame saver. new sear and disconnector, sear spring. I plan to add ambi safety, different mainspring housing with mag chute. i wish i knew how to post pics. Sorry to hijack.

Posted: 11/18/2008 3:24:39 AM EDT

[#9]

Posted: 11/18/2008 7:57:49 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/wetidlerjr/Smilies/worthless-1.gif

I can email pics of mine if someone wants to post them.

Posted: 11/18/2008 8:50:33 AM EDT

[#11]

Absolutely!

...don't do it.

Yes, refinishing would damage the value of the pistol considerably. Even if it's covered in rust, it's worth more in that condition than it is refinished.

Posted: 11/18/2008 12:43:22 PM EDT

[#12]

If you want to email the pic to me, I can put it up for you. Just send it to my [email protected].

Posted: 11/18/2008 2:04:20 PM EDT

[#13]

In other parts of the world, reblueing is considering routine maintenance. If you would like it restored, try Doug Turnbull. He specializes in that sort of thing.

Posted: 11/18/2008 2:19:19 PM EDT

[#14]

Personally, I'd do just enough maintenance to keep it in good condition and keep it from getting worse.

But.........I'll ask, if it's a Colt, would it be OK to send it back to Colt?
I was under the impression that if someone had an old valuable gun it was bad to refinish it UNLESS you send it back to the original manufacturer. Assuming that manufacturer is still in business.

We need pics. Send me the pics and I'll host them.

ZM

Posted: 11/18/2008 2:44:01 PM EDT

[#15]

No it is never going to help the value to reblue an old gun like that even if it goes back to the manufacture. Had a guy come in the shop wanting to duracoat a 1911 from either 1917 or 1918 because he "wanted something nice to carry" needless to say he traded it in on a glock and was VERY pleased with the deal. He could have cared less about collectible to him it was just a beat up old 45 even though it was in VERY good condition for the age

Posted: 11/18/2008 2:52:29 PM EDT

[#16]

Give you a glock for it!

Posted: 11/18/2008 3:24:22 PM EDT

[#17]

Pics va_gunz sent me.

Posted: 11/18/2008 3:40:25 PM EDT

[#18]

Thanks for posting the pics for me. Those are the first pics of mine posted on arfcom.

anyhoo. that gun was chromeplated and worn out when I got it for $200 .

Posted: 11/18/2008 10:23:35 PM EDT

[#19]

My brother has a Springfield 1911 that was manufactured in 1913. The finish is VERY heavily worn. He was thinking about refinishing it and I told him to leave it alone. Can someone give me a ballpark figure on what a gun this old might be worth? I know that without seeing a picture it's hard to put a value on it but, maybe just a low ball figure?

Doc

Posted: 11/18/2008 10:29:42 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
My brother has a Springfield 1911 that was manufactured in 1913. The finish is VERY heavily worn. He was thinking about refinishing it and I told him to leave it alone. Can someone give me a ballpark figure on what a gun this old might be worth? I know that without seeing a picture it's hard to put a value on it but, maybe just a low ball figure?

Doc

Im not sure exactly what it would be worth but dont let him refinish it whatever you do.

Posted: 11/19/2008 1:54:15 AM EDT

[#21]

if it is an original springfield us military issue gun and has not been butchered- no parts replacement, no sights replaced,all markings intact(for some reason it is common to see WWI guns with the U.S.Property stamp removed form the frame)I'd say a nearly no finish gun would go for about $700

Posted: 11/19/2008 2:28:48 AM EDT

[#22]

Refinishing ANY firearm is frowned upon. But a gun with (possibly) collector's value... JUST DON'T DO IT! Part of the charm of an old gun is the 'patina' it collects over time. Even scratches & holster marks are part of this.

Before you refinish it, or even shoot it, get it appraised, OK? If you do this, we'll all pitch in and buy you a cookie.

Posted: 11/19/2008 3:35:32 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:

Refinishing ANY firearm is frowned upon. But a gun with (possibly) collector's value... JUST DON'T DO IT! Part of the charm of an old gun is the 'patina' it collects over time. Even scratches & holster marks are part of this.

Before you refinish it, or even shoot it, get it appraised, OK? If you do this, we'll all pitch in and buy you a cookie.

By whom ? Just make that rule up ?

Posted: 11/19/2008 2:31:40 PM EDT

[#24]

there are too many god damn pretty safe queen 1911s on the forums anyways...leave it alone.

Posted: 11/19/2008 2:48:07 PM EDT

[#25]

My $.02 Dont. Here is my story http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=49&t=66776. I would never touch the finish on my 1911, but I still shoot it

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - To refinish or not to refinish...that is the Question

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