What You Need to Know BEFORE Restoring Vintage Guns

By Ready to Fire News Last updated May 8, 2019

Do you collect vintage firearms? This is a booming category of collectibles that will never go out of style. The history and dignity of old school weaponry is something that is very interesting to lots of different people around the world.

Or maybe you are new to vintage collections having inherited a treasured bunch of firearms from a grandparent, relative, or older friend. Either way, you may be fond of restoring those old beauties to a renewed perfection.

You have to be careful with restoring any older firearms, but there is definitely a benefit to making them shine as good as new again. Here are some facts about vintage gun restoration that might inspire you to start this fun hobby for yourself.

The Process Takes Patience And Time

Whether the metal is corroded from being stored improperly, or the wood on a shotgun is worn away, it’s going to take some time and patience to restore the firearm to its former glory.

First, take it all apart and work on cleaning and refinishing the gun. A good tip about rust is that it can be gently removed with a little bit of WD40 and some fine steel wool. Go slow, and be gentle. You can easily refinish and restain wood that worn away or discolored. All metal pieces should be cleaned and lubricated before you put the piece back together.

Leave Total Restoration To The Pros

If you feel like the restoration of the gun is going to be too complicated for you to tackle alone, you can always take it to a restoration service to give your vintage item a new life. They also specialize in “bluing” — the process that protects steel, giving it that new “blue-black” exterior appearance. You’ll be able to tell if your skill set is appropriate enough to truly restore an antique firearm, but it’s always good to consult with the pros who deal with these types of old firearms all the time.

Expect restoration costs to vary per item. Most gun restoration professionals will want to look over the piece before giving you an idea of what it might cost. Plus, they will have a better idea if the gun will need some new parts to make it work again.

Resale Value Usually Is Minimal

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if a gun is going to be worth anything much when it’s restored or refinished. The NRA does have a helpful book called “Blue Book of Gun Values” which will give you an idea of the resale value of antique guns. This is a good place to start if you have some basic information about the firearm, its history, and the kind of shape the piece is in. It’s rare that you’ll make a ton of money off an old firearm unless it’s in superior shape with a history that’s documented.

Don’t Fire The Gun Before It’s Inspected

You never know how a vintage firearm is going to behave. You want to make sure you take it to a licensed and reputable gunsmith to inspect it so that you know it will be safe to fire at a gun range.

~ Ready to Fire News