Restoring a Oldie but Goodie

oldelkhunter · 05-26-2005, 10:46 AM

If one of my next aquisitions becomes reality in the next 2 weeks I will have to reblue the rifle. I want to use it not let it sit in a safe. At the same time it is highly collectible but the bluing is all but gone. What are my options?

SWAMPMAN · 05-26-2005, 11:01 AM

OEH,
Would this re-bluing project be chambered for 300 H and H? If so, I recently had mine re-blued and the work came out beautifully.

oldelkhunter · 05-26-2005, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Would this re-bluing project be chambered for 300 H and H?

Yes it would ..my question is how much does it hurt its resale down the road if I decide to reblue?. If i do decide to reblue it I am under the impression these pre64's had a matte finished reciever and gloss barrel from the factory.

SWAMPMAN · 05-26-2005, 11:52 AM

OEH,
That's absolutely true. Mine looks like it just came from the factory. The "smith" duplicated the factory bluing for me. IMHO, he really did a fabulous job. It wasn't cheap though.

oldelkhunter · 05-26-2005, 12:17 PM

Oh its not going to be cheap to restore that is for sure ..It will be well worth it.

What we are:

The real work of men was hunting meat. The invention of agriculture was a giant step in the wrong direction, leading to serfdom, cities, and empire. From a race of hunters, artists, warriors, and tamers of horses, we degraded ourselves to what we are now: clerks, functionaries, laborers, entertainers, processors of information. - Edward Abbey

James B · 05-26-2005, 01:17 PM

I had a friend who was an American Indian. We were pouring cement one hot day and sweating like crazy. He said my people used to just hunt and fish and the women did all the work. Then along came you white men and gave use this thing you call progress.

I think maybe he was right.

It would hurt the resale value some but probably not to much. I would do it but thats just me. It should have a pretty good resale value either way.

Rebel Dog · 05-26-2005, 01:33 PM

oldelkhunter, I use to deal in antique hunting and fishing collectables and I still have some stuff, I can tell you that even if a piece is in bad shape it is still worth more than if it has been refinished, I would decide to either use it or hold on to it but leave it in its origional condition I personnaly wouldn't want anything to collect that had been tamered with. If it is a sought after piece than it's only worth the money you would expect from a collector. I am partial to old stuff I think it was made better looks better and it has history and to survive for so long in great condition means even more. Use it but don't alter it.

longrifle1000 · 05-26-2005, 02:15 PM

My thought on this is, if you are going to keep it and use it do what you want. If you might sell it down the road, leave it be. It will ruin any collector interest. Good luck, and post some pics if you get it. I used to have a pre-64 in 264 Win mag in pristine condition. Our house burnt down and it was lost.[

] Someday it will be replaced. But probably in a different caliber. Good luck

oldelkhunter · 05-26-2005, 02:29 PM

Well If I can't use it I might as well not buy it. There is zip nada zilch bluing on it just a silver patina. Wouldn't a rifle that has no finish be worth significantly less then something with say 75% of the finish? I am not a collector so I am just asking

longrifle1000 · 05-26-2005, 02:34 PM

If their is no blueing now, I would say it would already have no collector interest. It is not like it is 100 years old and rare. Their are LOTS of them out their. I would not hesitate to reblue it. I say buy it, and redo it. More than likely you will keep it for a long time anyway.