Refinish Double Rifle Stock & Re Blacking Barrels

[Dakota Hunter]

Would having a stock refinishing & barrels being re-blacked reduce value of a double rifle if done professionally ?

 

[JPetroni]

Would having a stock refinishing & barrels being re-blacked reduce value of a double rifle if done professionally ?

Hello Dakota Hunter,

It would all depend on what it is and who made it. If it is done by the original maker that would be the best route to maintaining the value, however it would still lower the valuation to some extent I would think, the market would set the price in that instance. if done by another maker it would diminish it even further, even it if it was a well known highly regarded maker. If you intend to keep it for the duration of your life it does no really matter unless you are worried about resale valuation for your heirs. If it is done by an unknown, this would be the greatest devaluation. This is just my opinion and I am sure other, more knowledgeable members, will advise on this for you. Not sure how bad it is but one could also consider a conservation effort instead of a full blown restoration. Again the previous would, more than likely come into play. If the rifle has any kind of real provenance, I would leave it as is and compile as much information on it as possible.

JP

 

[Sarg]

English Doubles were re blacked & refinished back in the day by the manufacturer or other fine gunsmiths England had back then to refresh them after a owner returned from overseas tour or expedition .

I think it depends on the firearm & who does the job, I have seen hundreds I wish had been left as they were !

 

[Rare Breed]

Would having a stock refinishing & barrels being re-blacked reduce value of a double rifle if done professionally ?

To me you are asking the wrong question…are you going to shoot it and enjoy it that way or are you a collector? If you are a collector, I would not touch it in terms of refinishing it. If you hunt with it and enjoy the astetics of the gun I would absolutely refinish it. I am not refinishing a DR but am a Rigby in 275 Rigby. I have the providence certificate from Rigby. I am completely redoing it sticking to its original look since the stock is cracked and bluing is gone. I would bet my farm I would get at least 80% of the value and cost of the renovation back. I am doing it for myself not as a collector but a hunter who enjoys high quality rifles

 

[Red Leg]

As pointed out above, English and Continental firearms are not treated by the "collecting" world the same way as fetishes are formed about "percentage of original condition" of say a Colt or Winchester. The restoration, however, needs to be done to the standard of the original finish. For many older English doubles, the original builder is no longer an option. But there are qualified gunmakers who can absolutely do the correct barrel blacking (rust blue), case coloring, and stock finish. For instance, a Westley Richards in 60% condition and without any particular historic provenance, is far less valuable than the same rifle professionally restored to original appearance and working condition.

If you look at classifieds for period English doubles, you will rarely find one that touts its "original condition." If it does, it is usually by a seller who hasn't a clue about them and doesn't realize his 90% Rigwespurdyton was likely "refreshed" several times in its long life.

 

[93marlin]

I own a 500bpe. Supposedly made by T&L Pryce. Most likely marketed by them.
It's completely worn on exterior. Cracked and repaired stock. Checkering between the toe and heel plate worn smooth.
I shoot it and enjoy it regularly, and I don't plan on re-doing it at all.
It has history in the worn exterior.

 

[crs]

Similar feelings on my old Damascus Parker 20 gauge that I grew up shooting and pushing down barbed wire fencing to allow me to cross. Lots of dents and scratches that only add to the hunting experience.