To REFINISH or NOT?

[PieterCoetzee]

This kinda plays into the older guns threads; but I think its a separate issue. Generally speaking refinishing a collectable gun lowers the value (with a very few exceptions) BUT it can make the look better and if done by one of those exceptions can increase the value.

Ive guns a couple guns that look rough but are still shootable, so Im thinking about it and wondering if its worth the money

One is an early S&W DA/SA revolver in 45LC. It was chopped to 2 1/2" and has ill fitting stag grips. It was rough when I got it so I dint pay much. Another is its full size brother that someone chromed the hammer, trigger, and cylinder

 

[Annihilator]

 

[MrMichaelActual]

This kinda plays into the older guns threads; but I think its a separate issue. Generally speaking refinishing a collectable gun lowers the value (with a very few exceptions) BUT it can make the look better and if done by one of those exceptions can increase the value.

Ive guns a couple guns that look rough but are still shootable, so Im thinking about it and wondering if its worth the money

One is an early S&W DA/SA revolver in 45LC. It was chopped to 2 1/2" and has ill fitting stag grips. It was rough when I got it so I dint pay much. Another is its full size brother that someone chromed the hammer, trigger, and cylinder

Seems like this question is relative to anything, car, house, gun... if you really like the thing and plan to keep it, make it what you want it to be. I like my old car and I damn sure can never get out of it what I have put into it, so I guess Ill keep it.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

Seems like this question is relative to anything, car, house, gun... if you really like the thing and plan to keep it, make it what you want it to be. I like my old car and I damn sure can never get out of it what I have put into it, so I guess Ill keep it.

Thanks I think I just decided

 

[Old_Me]

This kinda plays into the older guns threads; but I think its a separate issue. Generally speaking refinishing a collectable gun lowers the value (with a very few exceptions) BUT it can make the look better and if done by one of those exceptions can increase the value.

Ive guns a couple guns that look rough but are still shootable, so Im thinking about it and wondering if its worth the money

One is an early S&W DA/SA revolver in 45LC. It was chopped to 2 1/2" and has ill fitting stag grips. It was rough when I got it so I dint pay much. Another is its full size brother that someone chromed the hammer, trigger, and cylinder

do what you what with the "chopped" S&W, its already not a collectable.

the other one, i'd just replace the chromed out parts, that one still has a chance to garner you more value.

best to search for a restoration expert, send him/her pics, and get his/her advice.

none of my guns are collectable, save for maybe my Ruger Vaquero in 45 LC, and that's only a "maybe"

 

[PieterCoetzee]

do what you what with the "chopped" S&W, its already not a collectable.

It was modified (not by me) to be a Fitz Special so its kinda cool in that respect but not many guys still alive remember them. The barrel was shortened, hammer bobbed, and front of the triggerguard cut away for faster access.

This is a pic from web, mine isnt as nice

 

[Condition1]

John Fitzgerald isn’t the first guy to cut the trigger guard off of a hand but he may have popularize it. There was a Texas ranger in the early 1900’s ( I can not remember his name) cut the trigger guard from his handgun because there were a lot of Texas Rangers being ambushed and killed. So he wanted to make sure nothing got in his way to be the first to get rounds down range. He was accused of shooting first and asking questions later but he survived a lot of shootouts with Mexican bandito’s. He was accused of murder many times but none is the accusation stuck.
Before I did anything to that revolver I would do some research on it especially with it being in 45 Colt. You never know what you might have. It could be a valuable piece of history or a very early bubbaed up hack job.

 

[PieterCoetzee]

There was a Texas ranger in the early 1900’s ( I can not remember his name) cut the trigger guard from his handgun

Yep Ive heard of him. Pretty sure your talking about Bass Outlaw. He also removed the trigger so you "slip" fired it.

The barrel was shortened to maybe 2" and a longer cylinder pin was used to eject the cases (after removing the cylinder)

I had an Italian clone shortened to 2 inches but I couldnt convince the gunsmith to remove the trigger or cut the guard. He was worried about liability.