Shooter grade bluing- Refinishing effect on price

Alfred

Alfred

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From time to time I have been coming across a few older shooter grade Smith revolvers ( not rare or collectible models ) that have been refinished in some way or another. The cerakoted ones, which I dont care for at all- poor color, stamps and markings filled in and gloppy, usually not well done , etc. Another one I saw had a very well done virtually black finish that was quite good, but obviously was not the original deep blueing as the color was just...off. Laying in the case next to other guns of the same age it was easy to eyeball the finish differences- and it was just too nice at the price point. But in the end I held back trying to negotiate due to the mystery refinish- I doubt it had been redone at the factory. I guess my gut was telling even me for a shooter grade, I'd rather have honest wear on an original finish than the same revolver that had been redone. I don't think I'm alone on this unless the price was irresistible.

So what does refinishing really do to the price/value ? A S&W revolver that's only cosmetically challenged rarely falls below a certain price point, and when 99% perfect seems to hover around a higher but consistent price point.

Its all subjective, but would you add or subtract for the refinish if someone took a $400 revolver and blew $300 on a good refinish job ? ( Right next to it one the table is the same model with original finish with acceptable honest wear at $700 )
 
Interesting question. Talking about a shooter, I believe Iā€™d pass on both and search for the $400 version. :)
 
I'm going to follow this thread for interest. I've got an old 19-3 4" that's not really rare or collectible, but its a great shooter. The years and holster wear haven't been kind to it, and it shows a fair bit of honest wear.

I've been considering sending it back to S&W for a factory rebluing.
 
In my experience, which isn't extensive, is that cosmetic enhancements to a firearm rarely, if ever, increase its value to the next buyer. Even the most well done refinishing job I have seen merely helps it retain its "used" in good shape status, but will never increase it beyong "new and unfondled". For example, if two 3 Smiths were on a table, one was in "new" condition and worth $500, and two were used, both listed at $400, then perhaps the refinish job would make it he first choice in the "used" category. But it wouldn't put it back towards the $500 mark.

We see it here often with other firearms, people add doodads, refinish it, get slides milled, and stipple grips and then expect the value to go up. They assume it is like adding a new roof to a house, vinyl siding, or a French drain...but it is really like painting the walls, and there is no guaranty that the new owner is going to like the color.

There was a guy recently who was posting firearms that he allegedly spent hundreds of dollars to have cerakoted, painted, or whatever and was adding that to the cost he was trying to recoup. At last check, all his ads accomplished was a dishonorable mention in the "whats up with the BST" thread.
 
B00ger said:
In my experience, which isn't extensive, is that cosmetic enhancements to a firearm rarely, if ever, increase its value to the next buyer. Even the most well done refinishing job I have seen merely helps it retain its "used" in good shape status, but will never increase it beyong "new and unfondled". For example, if two 3 Smiths were on a table, one was in "new" condition and worth $500, and two were used, both listed at $400, then perhaps the refinish job would make it he first choice in the "used" category. But it wouldn't put it back towards the $500 mark.

We see it here often with other firearms, people add doodads, refinish it, get slides milled, and stipple grips and then expect the value to go up. They assume it is like adding a new roof to a house, vinyl siding, or a French drain...but it is really like painting the walls, and there is no guaranty that the new owner is going to like the color.

There was a guy recently who was posting firearms that he allegedly spent hundreds of dollars to have cerakoted, painted, or whatever and was adding that to the cost he was trying to recoup. At last check, all his ads accomplished was a dishonorable mention in the "whats up with the BST" thread.
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You made me remember a certain highly polished Ruger Mk II, thanks for the chuckle.
 
JimB said:
You made me remember a certain highly polished Ruger Mk II, thanks for the chuckle.
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I remember that one...I imagine he either a) found a sucker or b) is sitting around wondering why no one finds extreme value in his Flitz Special.
 
B00ger said:
In my experience, which isn't extensive, is that cosmetic enhancements to a firearm rarely, if ever, increase its value to the next buyer. Even the most well done refinishing job I have seen merely helps it retain its "used" in good shape status, but will never increase it beyong "new and unfondled". For example, if two 3 Smiths were on a table, one was in "new" condition and worth $500, and two were used, both listed at $400, then perhaps the refinish job would make it he first choice in the "used" category. But it wouldn't put it back towards the $500 mark.

We see it here often with other firearms, people add doodads, refinish it, get slides milled, and stipple grips and then expect the value to go up. They assume it is like adding a new roof to a house, vinyl siding, or a French drain...but it is really like painting the walls, and there is no guaranty that the new owner is going to like the color.

There was a guy recently who was posting firearms that he allegedly spent hundreds of dollars to have cerakoted, painted, or whatever and was adding that to the cost he was trying to recoup. At last check, all his ads accomplished was a dishonorable mention in the "whats up with the BST" thread.
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Agree- as a buyer I maybe could see me factoring in a well documented proper factory refinish into the offer price, especially if its something I really want, but it can't ever approach market price for clean original condition- which makes me wonder why it was done at all.
 
To serious collectors, which I'm not, any refinish will lower the price of any firearm. Generally a factory refinish will not lower the price by the same degree as a non factory refinish. To hobby collectors, such as myself, a cerakote finish would eliminate any interest. If someone needs a solid rough working firearm at an affordable price cerakote finishes may be a good way to go.
 
It's not a wheelgun, but I have a 1940 Winchester Model 12 heavy duck shotgun where the finish has worn to a patina. If someone attempted to refinish THAT firearm.......I would beat them about the head and shoulders with a soap bar in a sock.

That being said, if it was a high volume low collectibility piece like a model 10 with lock that had absolutely been wrecked by holster wear or lying in a drawer with humidity, a refinish may enhance it's value as a shooter....but don't expect to rate it as NRA Good.
 
Diablos said:
I'll sell it to ya for the low low price of 25k, it was Pat Garrett's gun. Somebody online told me so
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What's the old line? Believe the gun not the story:D

Real deal, I was in Collectors Firearms three years ago and $100,00.00 Colt SSA's were everywhere.
 
B00ger said:
In my experience, which isn't extensive, is that cosmetic enhancements to a firearm rarely, if ever, increase its value to the next buyer. Even the most well done refinishing job I have seen merely helps it retain its "used" in good shape status, but will never increase it beyong "new and unfondled". For example, if two 3 Smiths were on a table, one was in "new" condition and worth $500, and two were used, both listed at $400, then perhaps the refinish job would make it he first choice in the "used" category. But it wouldn't put it back towards the $500 mark.

We see it here often with other firearms, people add doodads, refinish it, get slides milled, and stipple grips and then expect the value to go up. They assume it is like adding a new roof to a house, vinyl siding, or a French drain...but it is really like painting the walls, and there is no guaranty that the new owner is going to like the color.

There was a guy recently who was posting firearms that he allegedly spent hundreds of dollars to have cerakoted, painted, or whatever and was adding that to the cost he was trying to recoup. At last check, all his ads accomplished was a dishonorable mention in the "whats up with the BST" thread.
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For the most part I agree with this but there are exceptions to the rule IMHO. This gun looked like this when I bought it. It had been refinished before in a "shooters grade" matte blue.

sdsE38k.jpg


I sent it to Fords and it now looks like this. Even with the cost of the Ford's Master Blue I have been offered more than double what I have in it but its not going anywhere. It is worth more in its current condition then a stock C series would be. It might not have collector value because of the refinish but the refinish has added significant value.

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wvsig said:
For the most part I agree with this but there are exceptions to the rule IMHO. This gun looked like this when I bought it. It had been refinished before in a "shooters grade" matte blue.

sdsE38k.jpg


I sent it to Fords and it now looks like this. Even with the cost of the Ford's Master Blue I have been offered more than double what I have in it but its not going anywhere. It is worth more in its current condition then a stock C series would be. It might not have collector value because of the refinish but the refinish has added significant value.

qZuHR6t.gif


knQQqzp.gif


76hHlER.gif


3uYxwpT.gif
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Mind if I ask how much that refinish cost you?
 
Ford's is the best. I have had several done and have never been sorry. As to the OP, I buy all condition guns. I only buy mechanically correct. As to the finish I care not a whit. All that has to happen is for it to be priced exactly as to condition. After that, I'm in. Today, I picked up a 4 inch Nickel Python that is 99.9% as new and a Remington 1100 12 ga. It too was as new. I paid all the money for both and there is enough meat left on the bone for the next buyer to feel like they "stole it". As in real estate..location X3. For my firearms purchases it is Condition X 100.
 
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