doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com When to restore and or modify?

When a fellow club member recently lamented that if only his very well-worn Ithaca Model 37 16 ga. had been choked IC instead of Full, it would make a fine upland gun, I asked him, "Why don't you spend $50 and get it opened up?" His response was a look of horror as he went on about how that would destroy the value, as would refinishing the gun. My experience with "shooter" guns is that such practical alterations or restorations have no negative effect on value as long as Bubba is not allowed to touch the gun.

Having stated the above, I've been surprised during my lurking here at how often I'm seeing what I would consider truly classic and collectable doubles being refinished and/or altered. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm also detecting a different view on this depending on which side of the Atlantic one is on.

I know there is no clear answer to this, but please educate me about when it might be wise/not wise to restore or modify a double. I'm thinking purely in terms of maintaining monetary value, not sentimental value or personal satisfaction.

With single barrel guns, just buy another barrel, and have even more flexibility.

certainly a difference between the UK and the USA

my thoughts- if you have something that is in the truly collectable category, leave it alone- a high condition small bore Parker or Fox for example. condition and rarity should be the guide.

But old isn't always collectable, maybe we should look to old cars as a guide- a model A Ford found left in a field is not exactly a coffin nose Cord found properly stored as new for 70 years. Maybe the Ford can be restored, the Cord is a museum piece.

but the vast majority of American guns are field grade and well used. If some repairs or alterations will give them another generation or two of life- why not?

With most pumps you can switch barrels. Unfortunately, the older Ithaca Model 37s had their barrels fit to the receiver. Given that the gun is readily available on the used market and not of particularly high dollar value I would be inclined to open up the choke and continuing enjoying it.

Just my $.02....

opening the choke of a field grade model 37 will most likely increase its value to knowledgeable shooters...except for the limited production guns such as the s and t grades, these guns have little collector value.

I don't think a 37 is worth enough money to worry about. Choke it the way you want nor shoot spreader loads. jmho

I'm afraid my Model 37 example was a poor choice as it has distracted from the intent of my post, which was to discuss doubles and their modification/restoration.

Wrong again. Lots of knowledgeable shooters prefer tight chokes.

ment: an lots o knowledgeable shooters prefer open chokes...nah, nah, nah, nah... nah.

why do we have to deal with these naughty children here.

nine: any non factory alterations to collectible firearms, generally decreases their value...doubles included.