doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com To refinish or not to refinish - pros and cons?

how do we know if the better condition guns havent been reblacked etc. in England, so we ooh and ahh over non original but proper finish that looks like a well kept original.

Well, for instance, if the lettering in the name on the rib is rounded or the engraving on the breech is too soft.

Same thing on redone case hardening.

And if the wood is below the metal that is a good indicator of refinish.

But it requires interpretation that I am not confident I am able to do in many cases. So I call my shooting student Joe Wood and have him go over the gun or the pictures, as the case may be. Still not fool proof but a second set of eyes is always helpful.

Unless it's truly a collector specimen...

It's your gun and your money, do or have done what will make you happy, just seek out the folks that do the work well.

American guns can be more challenging to spruce up as many have a mix of roll marks and engraving, engraving can be re-cut, but, keeping roll marks crisp is quite a challenge on a gun with lots of "patina".

My $0.02

"Well, for instance, if the lettering in the name on the rib is rounded or the engraving on the breech is too soft."
An obvious case of the work being done improperly.
"And if the wood is below the metal that is a good indicator of refinish."
Not always true, wood can shrink with age. Many guns come with the wood very slightly proud, however,this is to allow for some shrinkage or a bit of refinishing if required. Refinished properly,unless the metal was already proud, it won't be when finished.
"But it requires interpretation "
Yes it does, and quite often the interpretation winds up being something along the lines of "It just looks too good for it's age"
Bottom line is that if I restore a gun, I use the proper methods. If that approach is taken, how do you really know? especially after a little bit of use? I never hide the fact, but if you can't tell, what's the issue?

I think its a matter of whether or not the gun in hand is in need of restoration. The three guns I mentioned were either not original in some manner or in extreme disrepair or both. I acquired these guns as bottom feeder projects and did what I set out to do with them. If total restoration is the desired end, I'd start with guns that have some 'disability'.

The oil finish stocks on German guns require annual refreshing. If high volume shooting is done, things will wear out and wear off. I personally can't stand to see a gun with most of the bluing gone. Do it right, though. Steve

To me it hinges on condition....a gun in bad but salvageable condition are the ones that should be restored.

Vintage guns with honest use and little abuse should for the most part be left alone.

Here lies the problem define salvageable condition.

Within your desire, your wallet capacity, and your patience capacity with gunsmiths.

Original guns, worn but well maintained, are fine as is. When I enounter a gun that looks like it might have spent some years in the barn and clubbed a weasel or two. a refinish could do nothing but help.

What really bothers me, and this will step on some toes, is when I know a guy started out with a nice gun, habitually handled it by the barrels, took every opportunity to wrap his hands around a nice case colored receiver, and used the stock to close kennel/car doors and lift barbwire, and five years down the road wants to refinish it. Like he has no idea how it got the way it is and can't think far enough in front of him to see what will happen to the gun (again). That's the downside of refinishing. Kind of like the five-year facelift.

i very interesting post to say the least: i have a mated pair of sxs guns that i have toyed with the idea of restoring. after following this thread ive decided to give them a good cleaning and leave it at that. i think i would destroy all the character of the guns if restored. for what its worth the thread helped me make this decision. thanx