doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Upgrading plain jane field grade guns

When considering the alphabet, whether AA Parkers or D cups, original is always better. But then, an upgrade can be beautiful too.

C and D grades are great. They're usually not bad on guns either.

I am of the opinion that if the gun if a field grade gun and unless it is a pristine example, go ahead and have fun.
Better yet, someone else can do it and then sell it to me at a discount. That is the way I got my 20ga superposed. I have posted pics before. It is a 28" 1959 20 ga that has a very nice stock by Art's, engraving by Jeff Flanery re-blue and cased by Bill Schwatz plus brileys. It would cost *k-10K to duplicate today,... I paid 4K.

As an off shot, I also believe that any gun, unless it is a rairty, if in "well used" condition as a "right to be upgraded". I think of it kind of as a reward to restore a gun to like new condition.

I know a lot of you don't agree with that. I pormise, I won't do it to anything in "great" condition.

Jerry

I'd take a nice pair of D's but only if original.

Actually Dougs guns sound nice, but more of a real improvement to the mechanics than an upgrade. He got wood to fit him and chose upgrading it, the metal needed attention, I don't think he had any engraving done. Plus he had it done by the factory. To my mind that's still "original" work if it's done at the factory.

The more I think of it the engraving is the crux of the matter. There's just something that rubs me the wrong way about taking a field grade and sending it out to a third party, no matter how talented, and turning it into something it wasn't.

Funny also that the "upgrading controversy" only applies to American guns. The only foreign gun I rememeber seeing "upgraded" was a Sauer that SDH used one for of his customs.

European guns don't seem to have as much of a "spec sheet" to adhere to as American guns did. At least here in the states you don't see that many identical older guns by English or continental makers, but a Trojan is a Trojan is a G grade is a Sterlingsworth... etc., you get the idea. We know about what serial number they changed buttplate styles, waht the tang safety was supposed to look like in 1914.

For the most part older foreign guns are judged on individual merit, "buy the gun, not the name" whereas older American guns are judged on how close they are to the specs of when they left the factory.

Rob

The way I see it, if the difference between the high and low grades, as originally produced, was only in wood and engraving - then the upgrade is just a matter of personal decision. If, on the other hand, the high grades are conspiciously different from the low grades in aspects like quality of barrel boring and filing, weight and balance, mechanical fit, etc. - then it's a golden-ring-on-a-pig's snout case.

Many, but not all, American made guns, got very little "upgrade" where it counts. When it comes to all but the very highest of grades offered. At least from what I've seen, often times the locks had no extra fit or finish. The grade differences were all on the outside.
This brings up the question I was going to ask.
How many of these "up graded" guns pictured, have had the internal works brought up a level or two?
Jim

Custom guns and rifles have little value for all but the owners who have made them up. How many beautiful, but unknown custom Mausers have you passed-up, while stopping to look at that beater all-original commerical 7x57.

Jim, I can't speak for other guns but mine has been completely redone internally. I didn't want someone to take it apart someday 50 years from now and be disapppointed.

Doug

"Custom guns and rifles have little value for all but the owners who have made them up."

That is very true,

I remember Browning getting a bit miffed about all the old plain superposed's being bought up and restocked, re-engraved, re-ribbed and sold as new Custom game guns. You got a saving of about 50% off new price for what usually was a re-worked trap gun - these guns look very pretty, but the problem is secondhand value comes absolutely no where close to what they cost or are truly worth. Many buyers preferring original genuine guns... They are a bargain when you buy them - but not when it comes to re-sale.

The Uk market is being flooded with these guns at the moment - most of them now coming in with false sideplates fitted - the give away is the serial numbers. They even look new having being case hardened, unfortunately less than scrupilous sellers are economical with the truth and many buyers are being caught out!!!

I examined several at the CLA Game Fair in July, they had been fitted with solid narrow game ribs -which looked as though they had been fitted by a child.

Jonty

All the guns that were sent to me from/by the factory didn't look any different than off the shelf pieces. I worked for Colt, Win, Valmet, Ruger and walther ------ the above applied to guns sent to me by them. Of the few graded pieces I have recut, there didn't seem to be that much difference other than the polishing of the internal parts. FWIW and INHO, Ken