gunmanmatt
Inactive
I have an early 60's belgian browning auto-5. The buttstock is chipped on the end and the blueing is coming off the barrell and reciever. Would I raise or lower the value if I had it restored?
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To restore or not to restore...help
- Thread starter gunmanmatt
- Start date
Its not going to really matter much either way ...market value on the gun is probably around $ 300 ...depending on what it is.
If you want to keep it and shoot it --- restore it / but its going to cost way more than its worth to restore it if you do it right. Even if you pay $500 to restore it ...the value isn't go up much at all - in my opinion / or down ...
If you want to keep it and shoot it --- restore it / but its going to cost way more than its worth to restore it if you do it right. Even if you pay $500 to restore it ...the value isn't go up much at all - in my opinion / or down ...
I agree with Jim. Browning Auto-5s had their heyday about 20 years ago, when just about any old beat-up, duck-boat A5 was worth $500 or more. Now they sell for $300-$450 for nice shooters, far below what they sold for a decade ago. Older guys like me really dig these old shotguns, but us old guys are dying, and the Auto-5 was mass-produced, so there are more A5s than there are old guys who really dug them. Just shoot it.
gunmanmatt
Inactive
I see the belgian ones going for far more than 300 in stores all over the place around here....and actually selling. I have seen some in great shape go for over $800.
There's a regional variation on A-5s that's considerable. A shop here might have a beater for $300, but more likely a good one will bring all of $400.
Head for PA, you might see another $150-200 for the same guns.
Had I an old decent A-5, I'd go for conservation rather than restoration.
Head for PA, you might see another $150-200 for the same guns.
Had I an old decent A-5, I'd go for conservation rather than restoration.
jaguarxk120
New member
It all depends on who does the work on the gun. The corner gun seller = loose value.
Turnbull or Arts' and others who specialise in restoritions the value will go up. Go to the Turnbull web site and look at the finished guns and prices.
Turnbull or Arts' and others who specialise in restoritions the value will go up. Go to the Turnbull web site and look at the finished guns and prices.
If its a shooter and you like it and if it were my gun I'd strip it, repair the stock and cold blue it. I have a 32 Win Spcl older than me and I'm closer to 70 than 60 that I literally bought with all of its parts in a coffee can. Bore was good and once reassembled shot like brand new so I had it re-blued because keeping it in shooting condition was more important to me than resale value. In fact it's going out in the woods this afternoon and tomorrow morning in the hands of my nephew. Just depends on your end use for it, wall hanger and collector or shooter.
Lots of them out there so I doubt if it's going to be much of a collectors item unless the government steps in and makes them illegal.
Of course you have to realize I am a heathen and am still shooting one great grandfathers 12 gauge and another great grandfathers 25-20. I keep them clean and in working condition, that's where their value is to me.
Lots of them out there so I doubt if it's going to be much of a collectors item unless the government steps in and makes them illegal.
Of course you have to realize I am a heathen and am still shooting one great grandfathers 12 gauge and another great grandfathers 25-20. I keep them clean and in working condition, that's where their value is to me.
BLE - what that gunsmith told you is solid advice ...
But the Auto 5's ...at least in my area ...are not really collectable ( except in very rare occasions / with specific rare guns ) ...there are just so many of them around at all kinds of price points from $ 50 - $ 300...and every month at our bigger gunshows in the area ..there are literally dozens of them for sale - and Belgium made or not - makes little difference...at least in my area.
I appreciate the Auto 5 - for what it is .../...but I also recognize it for what it isn't compared to today's semi-auto's ....its just what I see ..
But the Auto 5's ...at least in my area ...are not really collectable ( except in very rare occasions / with specific rare guns ) ...there are just so many of them around at all kinds of price points from $ 50 - $ 300...and every month at our bigger gunshows in the area ..there are literally dozens of them for sale - and Belgium made or not - makes little difference...at least in my area.
I appreciate the Auto 5 - for what it is .../...but I also recognize it for what it isn't compared to today's semi-auto's ....its just what I see ..
gunmanmatt
Inactive
Thanks everyone.......I know they must be different regionally because I recently sold one myself for $600 here. It was in excellent condition though....like 90% probably. I know a gunsmith who does a very nice job and they look like factory when he is done. I dont know.....maybe I should just replace the stock with another original one and not reblue it.
Funny you asked....
I just re-blued and old Belgian A5 of mine and it looke GORGEOUS - I used Wonder Blue - it is a "somewhat" hot blue as you have to heat the metal (with a torch) to use it (so they say). If you are going to shoot it at all, might as well - if it is in the shape you describe, no serious collector will think of it as a prize anyway....now, a prize of a shooter, sure thing.
J
I just re-blued and old Belgian A5 of mine and it looke GORGEOUS - I used Wonder Blue - it is a "somewhat" hot blue as you have to heat the metal (with a torch) to use it (so they say). If you are going to shoot it at all, might as well - if it is in the shape you describe, no serious collector will think of it as a prize anyway....now, a prize of a shooter, sure thing.
J