Collectable Rifles and Refinishing

B

bravo2uniform

New member
I have a 1969 Winchester Model 94 Golden Spike Commemorative rifle that was given to me. In the callowness of my youth, I used it to hunt, and there is significant wear on the golden colored receiver but no rust.

These rifles, unfired, with box and manual, in good shape, sell for about $ 750.00.

My question is: would the value of the rifle be completely destroyed if I refinished it with something like Duracoat or Cerakote? Even though I don't intend on ever selling it, I don't want to destroy its value. Would it be better to leave it in used condition? I'm not going to try to match the gold, I was going to go for a black matte finish.

I want to do a coating project and this is my most likely candidate.
 
My understanding about commemoratives is that if they're shot at all, the value drops to the same as an ordinary rifle in that condition. No more special collector value.
 
They might be asking $750 for one, but I doubt if many sell for that. I've seen standard rifles in rough shape with $500 price tags. Unfortunately most of those commemorative rifles don't really bring much more than a standard rifle. Used or still NIB. In fact they can be a lot harder to sell than a standard rifle. Most folks wouldn't want one.

I'd continue to use it as is. Most any rifle is worth more as is rather than refinished. If you want to refinish have at it if it makes it more useable.
 
They might be asking $750 for one, but I doubt if many sell for that. I've seen standard rifles in rough shape with $500 price tags. Unfortunately most of those commemorative rifles don't really bring much more than a standard rifle.
Click to expand...

I agree. Most people want to shoot their guns and commemoratives are supposed to just sit there. I can't imagine paying $ 750.00 for something I'm never going to shoot.
 
I think every rifle Winchester made for the last thirty or forty years "commorated" something. I own a couple and I shoot and hunt with them. Asking price and selling price can be miles apart.
 
Commemorative rifles lose just about all their value once fired. Its worth about the same as any other winchester of the era but would be more desirable as it is a one of a few type of configuration. Cerakote would ruin that. At that point all you have is a gun owned and loved by bubba. Cerakote something common or a gun thats already been messed with.
 
In fact they can be a lot harder to sell than a standard rifle. Most folks wouldn't want one.
Click to expand...

Most folks don't want one BECAUSE they know that as soon as it is used, its special "collector" value goes away. Used, and particularly with any visible wear, they aren't any more valuable than a plain gun of the same model, and condition.

Except to a commemorative collector, who doesn't have, and desperately wants that specific model, in any condition he can get...From that guy, IF you can find him, you might get a small premium over a plain gun. Maybe.

Good Luck.

personally, I don't put anything that ends in "Kote" or "coat" on my guns. No Krylon, either. personal bias...
 
Commemorative rifles? Lots of (if's) with those rifles concerning their collect-ability. Your rifle has over the years been a working mans rifle. Why not keep it that way. No matter what. Your rifle will always be worth something ($$) simply because it's a real Honest-to-Goodness Winchester made in New Haven, Connecticut. The idea of having any rifle is to enjoy it being it hanging on the wall or a-field. That decision apparently was already made some time ago. If its loosing or lost its bluing. I think it adds Pinnash to a older rifle. A condition that's pleasing to just about everyone. Too coat it. You could. You decided not too that's even better. FWIW: Never be concerned about a rifles value. It is what it is at the time of its sale. So long as you enjoy having this rifle is the real deal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top