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Does custom work effect value? (Read 2197 times)

Judge 1879 Participating Member Offline Posts: 45 Location: Arizona Joined: Jun 27^th, 2024	Does custom work effect value? Aug 20^th, 2024 at 8:14pm	Print Post
	Hello all, so I have a question, how much does custom work done by the original owner effect value? I am in the process of working a deal on a No. 9 Union hills Ballard in .32/40. The stock has had some very nicely done engraving ( or carving as some prefer) of a grizzly bear on one side and a flower on the other. The forearm has a nice floral treatment as well. I will try and post Pictures. Mechanically it seems to be all correct and matching. Just a thought on a collection topic.
	« Last Edit: Aug 20^th, 2024 at 8:47pm by Judge 1879 »

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George Babits Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1099 Joined: Sep 27^th, 2012	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #1 - Aug 20^th, 2024 at 9:25pm	Print Post
	My own opinion is that few people understand that "custom" relates only to the person who the customizing is/was for. Beyond that is is just another used rifle or whatever. Still, that's a nice looking rifle if it tweaks your fancy. It may have been "custom" for the owner, but it isn't really custom for the buyer. That's all just my antiquated way fo understanding the English language. I'd never add a nickle just because sometbhing was "custom" unless I really liked it. George


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jhm Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1440 Location: georgia Joined: Sep 4^th, 2011	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #2 - Aug 20^th, 2024 at 10:25pm	Print Post
	To each his own and I will probably get some guff for saying so but I think someone ruined a perfectly good original Ballard rifle. I am not a fan of such graphic carving. Some tasteful engraving or checkering is all a classic like a Ballard needs. Most of the time they need nothing at all. The classic lines of most single shots is enough. As I stated this is MY two cents worth and mine alone. I hope your deal goes your way. JMH


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JerryH Frequent Elocutionist Offline ASSRA Member #10876 Posts: 1240 Location: Easton, CA Joined: Nov 9^th, 2014	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #3 - Aug 20^th, 2024 at 10:38pm	Print Post
	Whoever did the work on the wood definitely had some artistic ability. That being said, to me that rifle is just a barreled action. However, if you like it, buy it. If you do buy it I certainly would expect it to sell at a discounted price. Chances are you won't recover your money if you ever sell it. Just my opinion, and probably not worth 2 cents due to inflation.
	« Last Edit: Aug 20^th, 2024 at 10:55pm by JerryH »
	I'm not a complete idiot, some of my parts are missing.
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westerner Frequent Elocutionist Online deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 11449 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #4 - Aug 20^th, 2024 at 11:09pm	Print Post
	I agree with Jerry. Restocked well, it would be worth more than it is now. Sorta reminds me of my Zettler brothers Ballard that has tacks in the stock.

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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RDBallard Junior Member Offline Posts: 74 Joined: Apr 22^nd, 2020	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #5 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 12:16am	Print Post
	Ruined a nice gun in my opinion


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Schutzenbob Frequent Elocutionist Offline Rheinisch-Westfälisc hen Sprengstoff-Fabriken Posts: 2049 Location: Nightingale, California Joined: Oct 24^th, 2005	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #6 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 2:35am	Print Post
	Gunmakers at the turn of the previous century had a particular aesthetic regarding rifle stocks and engraving. Schuetzen rifles were originally made with skill and an eye for beauty. The first real schuetzen rifle I remember seeing was a Singer-Pope Winchester, and it was wonderful. Nobody wants a gun that's been butchered, but unfortunately there's lots of butchers out there. This is my idea of a custom rifle
	« Last Edit: Aug 21^st, 2024 at 5:08pm by Schutzenbob »

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LRF Oldtimer Offline Posts: 579 Location: MN Joined: May 8^th, 2010	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #7 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 6:31am	Print Post
	The real question here is would you want to be caught dead in public with that rifle? It is a project rifle. If the bore is good buy it cheap and restock it. If the bore isn't. Buy it cheaper and make it into a more of a project gun.


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TomKlinger Junior Member Offline Posts: 77 Joined: Feb 17^th, 2019	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #8 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 7:46am	Print Post
	Subtract the price of having the stock replaced……it still won’t be as valuable as an untouched original, but, you will be able to show it off without listening to how ugly it is and “why would someone screw up an original”👍 Tom Klinger


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Judge 1879 Participating Member Offline Posts: 45 Location: Arizona Joined: Jun 27^th, 2024	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #9 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 7:58am	Print Post
	That was the point of this post and as I agree with you all it is ugly, nice work but just over the top. It is cheap and is a package deal with a low serial number 6 1/2 with original factory checkering, and a Remington Hepburn in .45/70 that is in original condition. The amount I'm saving on the other 2 covers the cost of the project rifle, so its almost a buy 2 get 1 free deal.


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Babydriver Participating Member Offline Posts: 34 Joined: Mar 22^nd, 2024	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #10 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 8:23am	Print Post
	It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well I’m not the beholder but in my eye it’s ugly.😂


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16066 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #11 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 10:32am	Print Post
	The carving isn't bad, but it's also not high quality either. It detracts from a beautiful rifle by being too much for this nice Union Hill. As for value, I think the value of this Union Hill is cut almost in half by the carving. But the good news is if you keep your eyes open either here on ASSRA or on Ebay I see unaltered stock sets selling at prices much less than what it would cost to restock this rifle with new stocks. So if it's priced right I'd shoot it and keep looking for original donor stock set to eventually put it back to original looks.

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Judge 1879 Participating Member Offline Posts: 45 Location: Arizona Joined: Jun 27^th, 2024	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #12 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 2:46pm	Print Post
	That's kinda what I was thinking, Val. Other than the ugly carving it's a nice offhand Ballard


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jhm Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1440 Location: georgia Joined: Sep 4^th, 2011	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #13 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 8:35pm	Print Post
	That Zischange is my idea of a tastefully done Ballard. Just enough but not over the top. JMH


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toppkatt Participating Member Offline Posts: 38 Joined: Feb 7^th, 2020	Re: Does custom work effect value? Reply #14 - Aug 21^st, 2024 at 9:41pm	Print Post
	I don't think the bear was done all that well, not that I could do better, but he should stick to the floral designs...


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