Most certainly you would be correct . The simple fact of the mater , the vast majority of folks I do work for do not have a lot of money and have worked very hard for what they have . That includes me .
Im just thankful that I can stay busy enough making custom traditional muzzle loading rifles shotguns and such that I can turn away work that I eather don’t want to do or that I think is past my skill .
I also am of the opinion that a restored piece is just that , restored .
I would most certainly agree that the monetary value of any restored piece is based on the quality of the restoration.
PA24 when I say patina, in not meaning rust , in the context of rust like on
ClapperZapper’s Ithica
This whole situation kinda strikes me as something like if Clapper Zapper brough that ithica to me and said ; Charlie I would like you to bring this back . . I want you to make me a new stock out of ,,,, X ,,,,,,, wood .. I want it to have a wide deep undercut check piece ,,,, I know the original doesn’t have it but that’s what I want .
I would also like the barrels freshened , polished and refinished ..
I also want the engraving cleaned up .
BUT Don’t do anything with the rust on the receiver nor anything with the locks plates , buttplate or trigger guard .. But I would like to have the workings of the locks and receiver all cleaned up and polished . Basically I would like to be able to put everything back to the old stock . Past having the barrels re done and the engraving freshened , it would look just like when I brought it to you .
As to the piece im speaking of . it’s a late Percussion Muzzleloader . WM . MOORE
Now would that not cause you to be taken back ????
I guess it all comes down to what the customer wants and if im willing to do what he wants .
thank you all for your posts . i guess maybe im make more of it then it is . But the request just struck me as odd
