Is re bluing your gun such a bad idea

[farhan.lateefi]

Hi everyone,

i have a Jw tolley shot gun, its very old and most of the bluing is gone, i want to get it blued and also get the stock polished. The issue is, i saw lots of sales post for shot guns and rifles alike where most members asked the seller if their piece is reblued..

will the shot gun looses value if i re blued it? not that i will sell it but just curious to know.

I am in the process of restoring it and your valuable suggestions are more than welcome.

[veeveeaar]

Bluing an old gun is usually looked upon as a cover up job of any damage as in cars. But if the bluing is gone also , the buyer insists on deductions in price you quote. Either way, if you intend to sell that gun, give the buyer a satisfaction that your used gun is not a damaged one. Moreover a gun knowledgeable buyer will definitely pay for what it is worth, iiif ! he is sincere and not commercial

[Anand]

Gun value depreciation not withstanding, if you want to protect the darn thing from rust, what choice do you have? No treatment will increase the value, the lack of finish or the wear in blueing is going to depreciate the value anyway. My way of looking at it is, you may be preserving the gun for your next generation.

Anand

[Amit357]

Hi farhan,the basic idea which is associated with blueing is that the gun picked up rust,or some other damage,emery paper/sand blasting was used liberly and that damaged the original blueing,you in our great nation people still claim to hold guns which would be 75 + with the original blueing,that why everyone checks for reblueing,am sure your Tolley would be anything between 75-100,as long as the writing/engraving/proof marking on the gun are not faded,reblueing doesnt effect the resale value,provide done properly

[MDHASAN]

if the gun blued by a xperienced good gunsmith is good for old guns not that mistri type gunsmiths , cold rust is the best method for good guns , hot gun bluing is not good and the main thing is that the gun and gun parts are polishd by hand by embry papers not by embry buff it would damage the edges , proof marks and the rib .

[farhan.lateefi]

Hi farhan,the basic idea which is associated with blueing is that the gun picked up rust,or some other damage,emery paper/sand blasting was used liberly and that damaged the original blueing,you in our great nation people still claim to hold guns which would be 75 + with the original blueing,that why everyone checks for reblueing,am sure your Tolley would be anything between 75-100,as long as the writing/engraving/proof marking on the gun are not faded,reblueing doesnt effect the resale value,provide done properly

Hi Amith,

you are right about the age of my Tolley, however the gun does not have/had any rust just that the bluing had faded and the stock has drank its fill of oil.. i am not too concerned about loosing its commercial value, just that i dont want to spoil it, as it has never been blued and have been with us maybe since a very long time in fact i remember someone in the family telling me it came to us (new in box)!! the writing/engraving/proof marking on the gun are not faded at all. just wondering as so many across the counter bluing agents available if its a good idea to try and do it myself.

[MoA]

Go ahead reblue. It will not affect a thing.

[farhan.lateefi]

Go ahead reblue. It will not affect a thing.

Thanks MoA,

will try my hand at it, so much info is available on how to do it right on you tube, i was just concerned about ruining it, hence the post.

thanks
farhan