Hello I would like feedback on the pros and cons of having 3 Browning A5 Belgian made shotguns reblued. My father mentioned yesterday that he was thinking of having his A5 12, light 12, and Sweet 16 reblued by a local gun smith. I said hold off and let me get some experienced opinions. I would like to know your thoughts. Will this devalue the guns? What is a reasonable price for this procedure? All 3 guns have been shot and are in field used condition. I would appreciate any thoughts and advice.
Thanks in advance..
Ralph
If you want the guns to look like new again. Get then re-blued. I don't think it will hurt the resale value because they are just field guns and many of then out there.
I would also redo the wood and bring it back to a new looking gun.
If the finish is simply worn, with no rust or pitting, I think that the value would be dramatically reduced by having them re-blued. If there is damage to the steel, then it's your call. -Ed
Ralph: Financially it's going to be a net loss, but if the guns have sentimental value and you want them to be done properly and look fantastic then consider using Art's. They specialize in restoring classic Brownings.
Are they collectable guns? I dont know much about those models but if I were to buy a used field grade gun and had 2 to choose from and one had the blueing worn off and the other was new looking, I think that I would go for the blued one. Just my opinion.
Money wise it is a complete loser to reblue a gun.Spend $400+ to have a gun reblued that is now worth $400 or less in many cases after the job is done, but if you do not care about the financial hit and value loss but just want it to look good then the next step is to look at the work the person you choose to have do it.I have seen people who have had a gun reblued only to regret it because it often just does not look representative of what the gun originally looked like,be very picky as to who you have do the job and ask to see some of the guns they have reblued.
Not said as a comment on your local gunsmith - don't know the guy at all...
BUT
I have seen some real butcher jobs done on rebluing of guns - especially this type of situation. If it were a Parker or a Purdey it would HAVE to be done correctly or the value of the gun would be lost (big bucks here), but often an inexpensive gun being re-done can be destroyed.
How many have seen a pistol or rifle or shotgun where all the edges have been rounded over, printed numbers, names, etc. have been reduced to shadows at best by a smith trying to get a bit more rust off, or a slightly smoother finish??
I still cringe at the thought od an old 1911 (NOT an A1) that had been reblued. I had seen the original pistol - glorious in the patena it carried for the last 100 years. The owner had it reblued...
Looked like it had been held to a grinder, then 80 grit paper, then finished against a flap-wheel where it got so hot the metal moved rather than sanded. Looked like a road surface overheated by the sun and run on by heavy trucks.
I won't buy any gun if I know it has been reblued.......I just don't know it's "true" condition.
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