doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Opinion: Sell as-is or refurbish first? (SKB 200E)

Unless you just like to do the work as a hobby (and there's nothing wrong with that), putting the work into the gun and expecting to Profit from your time spent is not a good bet IMO.

Even the thought that making it more presentable would make it sell faster might not be so true as there are a good number of originals in nice shape around yet at decent prices in 12ga.

Better to sell it as-is to someone else looking to do the same IMO.

They are good solid shotguns. Many are used for conversions to double rifles and that one would be a good start towards one for someone contemplating such a project.

You might find a stock blank on ebay cheap. I found a brand new buttstock for my model 100 for cheap and it was darn nice wood that fit with about 10 minutes of work. But was unfinished, so that took a bit more time.

Before you promote me to the head of the class, you should know that I also sent an email to SKB enquiring re the serial numbers on my 'Ithica' guns.

For those who are interested to know it, there are no serial number records on file at SKB for either Ithicas or Ithacas...

I hadn't even thought of that. The idea of inletting and finishing a stock is actually right up my alley. I could always stick the old wood back on there and sell as is if the project goes poorly.

I do enjoy the work a lot, and I originally thought that this would be a good candidate gun for me to hone some skills (as an aspiring amatuer gunsmith), especially since it is mechanically sound. I started having second thoughts which is why I started this thread.

It seems that the consensus is that from a purely financial standpoint, I should just sell the gun. But also that there's no harm in using it to learn some gunsmithing and stock making skills. If it turns out poorly, I frankly don't think it could be a lot worse than it is now.

On the other hand, there is a saying that there is no condition known to man that surgery can't make worse. I suspect the same might be true in gunsmithing...

my god, I love that! Especially as I am about to embark on some trigger work for my Cashmore.

......enjoy the work a lot, and I originally thought that this would be a good candidate gun for me to hone some skills (as an aspiring amatuer gunsmith), especially since it is mechanically sound. I started having second thoughts which is why I started this thread.

That's it right there. In your own words, to lear on this gun is perfect. IF you mess it up, you're really not out a lot of $$...if you do it right the satisfaction of learning the process will keep you warm. I'd say go for the repair and see how it comes out. Then the next auction you see with a cheap cracked stock AYA (or whatever) you'll know you can make the repair and be able to bid with confidence. Either way credit to you for learning...I could not make a repair like that and have respect for thosat do!

Thanks bls. I think that's just what I'll do. I'm going to start with the inlay tip of the forend then jump into the real project gun. I might even try rust bluing. As you said, it's not a terribly big risk if all I get is a couple of guns to learn on.

Jim, Rust bluing is a pretty straight forward and you can do an excellent job on your first try with patience and some elbow grease. good luck with it!

Says the nutty prOfessor