ssdave wrote on Aug 4^th, 2021 at 10:06am:


Absolutely 100% spot on Dave! Those wanting such a fine old rifle will always run it down, when they want to steal it cheap. You only win if you keep it, and they go away empty handed.

Realistically alot of collectors are just anal in nature. Many vintage rifles are so far gone that 2 choices are left, part out or pursue a rescue restoration. A proper barrel re line in "some cases" is ok as in fine.
Why is this so different than restoring a mega dollar 60's muscle car?

Jlouis....so we are simpatico? A buyer has to be able to distinguish right from wrong. The restoration trend perception is changing albeit slowly.

KFW wrote on Aug 4^th, 2021 at 8:10pm:


I think it depends on the collector, and how long he's been at the hobby. I find a lot of guys who are gray haired, and been collecting for decades who are very particular and aren't open to restorations. They've got so many nice guns they've collected over the decades, that they aren't at all interested in even nicely restored or repaired rifles.
But there's a newer generation of collector who seem to put more emphasis on the appearance of their guns, and are happy to own a nicely restored old gun. Some even pay more for them! So I've seen some guns sold that were obvious high end restorations, that sold for big money that many older collectors would never pay.
With some quality restorers doing the work these days, it seems old restored rifles are getting big money now. There was an 1893 Marlin that went for auction at one of the big auction houses sometime ago. It was in mint unfired condition, and estimate was at $10k! I knew the owner, who had owned it 2 decades, and was beginning to sell his nicest guns. But at preview Doug Turnbull was viewing the auction, and thought he recognized the gun as one he'd done. He called his shop and had them check his records, which showed he'd restored the gun 25 years earlier! Now the fun part! They announced it was a Turnbull restoration prior to the auction, and it still sold for $10k. 
The owner had purchased it originally as an unrestored gun, so he wasn't part of the scam, and rather the person who got scammed.

Worth is a very subjective term.  Functionality/Usefulness is another one.

Example: I bought a HiWall in 38-55 this summer for $600.  Most of you can visualize the condition.  It is a straight grip single trigger example.  The lower tang is pitted to the point where no sign of a serial number can be seen.  The action at the front of the action also has minor pitting.  The action locks up fairly tight, and since I had a local shop install MVA scope blocks, it shoots a 255gr cast under 2" for 5 shots at 100 yds off the bench with my 20X Unertl.

Part of me wants to "fix" it by restocking and replacing most of the internal parts with MVA, including DST's.  The other part says to just enjoy it as is.

What to do?  We are just caretakers of these rifles, as we are with our home.   

Example 2: my parents home was inherited from a family member, it was a Sears pre-fab home from 1904  They built them in full height two story sections, and shipped them all over the US on flatbed cars.  At 88 years old my Mother sold it to a couple in their thirties with five young children.  They are doing a full restoration, but different interior colors.  Who judges them...?

With a rifle, ask someone who knows.

Rich

Very interesting discussion on a very subjective topic.
(Except for the bickering)
To solve this dilemma, I decided to acquire only high quality reproductions. This way I can modify as desired to fit my needs. Actually, most are purchased with the features I’m looking for.   
Collecting originals is great.  I prefer to shoot everything and not worry about diminishing values.
My vote would be to recline the barrel.
Mike.