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.
Last edited by ninepointer; 12/14/13 11:08 AM.