To Reblue or not to reblue that is the question

gearchecker

New member
I am new to this as you will quickly see by reading this.

I have 2 revolvers that were given to me and they both have less than perfect finishes on them
I have been told not to get them reblued because it will reduce their value.
The first is a .357 2-1/2" S&W Model 19-3. It is tight and smooth as silk to fire. There is no rust on it and the finish is nearly ideal - except that it was stored in a tan holster for nearly 30 years and the barrel now has a slight brown discoloration from the holster.
The other is a S&W Model K14 Masterpiece that has a fair amount of very light rust speckling on the barrel and the base of the butt. It has only had 18 rounds ever fired thru it. The balance is nearly perfect and fits my hand well.
I am attaching pics of the shorty so you can see what I am describing.

Here is where you find out I am new to this!

Why would restoring the finish and the protection rebluing it reduce the value of the revolver? It seems that rebluing would resolve the rust problem and it will look so much better, having an even factory finish on it.

To be honest I want to trade or sell the shorty to get a 4" or 6" .357 instead.
I used to own a Colt Stainless 4" back in 78' but sold it when I was no longer required to carry.
Can somebody help me understand this one?
 
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Refinishing is a personal choice. It will destroy any value for the collectors,but if you are going to keep it and want it refinished, then do so. (They want never fired, if they can get it, anyway)


I will say that if you sell or trade that snub nose model 19, It is not easily replaced.


just my 2 cents..
 
Personally I would not reblue either. I would even go as far as preferring a gun that had reverted back to a patina or no finish to one that was reblued. To me it would be the character of that gun.
 
A lot of people look at guns as shooters or collectors. The collector gun needs to be original finish, preferably 97% finish or better (for guns of this vintage) with "new" commanding a premium. As a shooter, you mostly want the finish to protect the gun from rust and corrosion so a little discoloration on that Model 19 won't matter. To get a good refinish job, you're probably looking at $200 or so plus shipping. You'll never get your money back for that if you trade it or sell it.

Now, if you are one of those people who likes a good looking gun, shoots it occasionally, and don't plan on carrying in extremes, then refinishing makes sense. Just understand that you are paying for the aesthetic quality.
 
I'd leave them alone. Holster/carry wear is "character". Use is good, abuse isn't. Unless you want "safe queens", leave them as is and enjoy shooting them.
 
I personally would leave it.

Then again, I love the character of worn guns.

Rebluing jobs (most of them. There is a few exceptions for TRULY hashed guns) remind me of 70 year old women getting jobs done on them and driving around in a corvette.
 
I wouldn't do it.

First -- to me, wear means that the gun has a history. That isn't a bad thing.
Second -- refinishing actually decreases the resale value, from a collector's standpoint.
 
I like it, and would be proud to have such a piece in my collection. With that being said: I wouldn't mess with it.
 
It's a rare and expensive refinish that will make a difference on lightly worn guns. Cheap refinishing ALWAYS makes a good gun look worse. As another guy said, you'll never get your money back on a quality reblue, so it's only justified if you're keeping the piece and insist on a pristine appearance. Otherwise, take a little fine bronze wool and some oil and rub off any corrosion that will yield to light rubbing, and live with it. If I were buying, I'd want original finish even if marred, then it's MY choice to fix it if I think it needs it. But understand, you won't get as much for your M19 with its barrel wear as you would if it were perfect. That's just a fact of life.
 
I am old enough that those are just used guns to me, with no collector's interest, only utility. No reason not to reblue if you want them to look nicer as you shoot them.

BUT! If you plan to sell or trade the M19 anyhow, you will not recover the cost of a decent reblue. $200 gun + $100 reblue NOT = $300 gun.
 
I would not reblue either. :) What I would do is get some Flitz and apply it. You'll be amazed at how much nicer looking they'll be after a little elbow grease.. :D
 
Sure you should! Spend $250 to make your gun look like crap, and make it worth $300 less! Rebluing a gun is not an easy or inexpensive undertaking. It is almost ALWAYS obvious to anyone who knows guns when one has been refinished.
 
Looks good enough. I'd leave but I would get one of those metal grip extenders for the front of the grip what ever they're called, with the finger groves.
 
Well you say you want a 4" or 6" .357...

Get the other two!!! Your model 19 looks fine to me, get a 4" and a 6" and complete the set! Any reason to get another is a good one. However, I have a 4" 19-3 so i just might be a little biased...
 
My m15-3 has some surface pitting on the cylnder and rear sight base. I was going to send it to Cylnder and slide to have them polish the pits off and then refinish it. I just dont want the pits to spread, im not concerned with collecters value, seeing as i carry and shoot this often, and will be passing it to my son if Pres obama allows it in the future.
 
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