As I understand it ,an wholly original gun,even one that well past its best, is worth more in the US than one that has been rebuilt or refinished? Assuming that it is still able to be shot,at the owners risk ?Does this apply to other things as well? Does a 1952 Cadillac that's been in a barn for 40 years, with perished tyres and covered in chicken droppings ,have a greater value than the same car that has been rebuilt and renovated ,with custom made non original parts.
This is not a spurious question as I have come across the same thing in the UK . A totally rebuilt vintage car is worth thousands ,yet a sleeved or rebarreled gun if not by the original maker is down valued. WHY???
