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

This is a guess, and only a guess.

Without the original stock and buttplate,it's value as a collectors piece is significantly diminished, no matter how rare. So the current fair market value (not what you paid)for a Elsie this rare is down and it likely won't appreciate any faster than the average market for LC Smiths. I like treblig's suggestion of making a second effort to locate the original stock and buttplate.

Failing finding the original wood, I would sell the gun now and get the profit out of it. I'd then get a shooter I wanted or a collectable that stands a better chance of appreciating faster than the general market.

Thanks for the discussion guys. It's always interesting to hear what others have to say. I was interested to hear what others opinions considering this is such a rare gun. I've pretty much already decided the gun will go to Bill Schwarz in the spring for restoration. The gun is no longer a collector , but I love shooting it , and it's a cool little gun that is extremely rare. With any luck, it will be handed down over generations to my kids , grandkids, and maybe even great grandkids, who will enjoy it as much as me.

I could never understand the collector mentality. If I can't shoot the gun with modern ammo, I don't want it. I got a Win Low Wall for payment on restoring a Sharps that had one set trigger broken off, redid the Win as a 38 extra long(357 max). Local gunsmith almost had a stroke, but I explained that the split stock was screwed, and wrapped with wire, the chamber redone to .22 LR with a dull drill bit, and the former owner stamped his full name on the pitted barrel with 1/4" wobbly lettering. I shoot cast bullets in it with a 1950 era Litchert 10x scope, and a crotch grain pistol grip stock salvaged from Numrich's reject bin.

I can see it as all sorts of people collect all sorts of things for their uniqueness or rarity such as an Indian motorcycle that is never ridden or a vintage Rolls Royce that is never driven or a Gibson guitar that is never played.

Some people just keep old rare guns for conversational pieces and the like. I have a collection of 2nd and 3rd generation Colt percussion revolvers that just sit in glass cases. I have the original box and all the paperwork. I'll never fire them or even cock them.

I agree.

I can see it too. Some people just like original chamberings whether it's shotguns, rifles or pistols.....they like to reload and shoot the old guns as they were originally made. I shoot all mine the way they were made, including all the modern ones, LOL.

-Some people like to fix them up or restore them close to what they originally were and some don't.

-Some people appreciate the original asthetics and lines of the old guns and some don't, it doesn't make them a collector by any sense of the imagination. Just a shooter that likes old guns as they originally looked.

-Some people like to fix up old guns and extend the old chambers, change the choke borings, add recoil pads, add sling swivels, add modern marble cake exotic wood grains, add chrome goodies, engrave stocks, add their initials, re-black what was once CCH'd, add fancy checkering pattern modifications and so forth and some don't. The list is endless.

-Some people don't want to change anything, they like the guns to show years and years of accumulated wear. Some more than others.

-Some people like whitewall tires on their Ferrari or Porsche and some don't.

-Some people don't mind door dings and dents on their vehicles and leave them outside 24/7, and some don't.

There is a market for everything. Bottom line is, nobody really cares what others do, to each his own....guns are for the most part, just a hobby.

Next thing, you're going to tell me other people wash their cars??

I don't know what it is XS, granted my collectables ain't real valuable, but its just something I can look at and enjoy.

I have to admit, some cool looking Stanley planes are sitting around my living room. But the soles are trued, and irons are sharpened. I even get to use a few now and then. And Laurel Mountain Barrel brown does a great patina!

Nah, some people leave them outside 24/7 and never wash them, gives them the "homey" feeling.......


Everybody likes something different. Here's one I finished up today to a gentleman's exact specs including the high gloss finish.......very nice slab of wood......

Beautiful wood and excellent workmanship Doug. I still like the stock you did for me better.