doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Flues refurbish

While visiting a friend at the hospital last week,the double gum came up in conversation with another visitor.He has a 1922 vintage Flues 16 gauge grade 2 that was recased and reblued by Pachmeyer(sp) years age.Questioned whether the redo hurt the value.Any ideas? Thanks! (Will relay info to the owner)

A Flues Grade 2 16 ga that was restored will certainly be worth a bit less than one that is all original and is in high condition. However, restorations of Ithaca graded guns, if well done, are probably a bit more acceptable to many collectors than they were 10 years ago, simply because there are just not that many "out there". While restoration does hurt the value a bit as compared to one that is in fairly high all original condition, a restored gun will bring more than one that has not been restored but is in poor condition. The problem is that a good quality restoration may cost more than you will realize in the sale. However, if you would rather have a nice looking gun to shoot as opposed to a "beater" that is certainly justification in spending the money. JMHO

This is not a 15K gun or rare gun so I look at it a little differently than many. If done well is should be valued at not too much less than an original gun less ten or fifteen percent. That is if the gun is a 95% recondition gun it would be worth at least what a 80-85% original gun should be worth. As a collector the true collector value is ruined but as a shooter it has been improved.