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After reading the latest post discussing restoration guns and some of the comments, it’s fair to say different strokes for different folks. Some like restorations, some like rare, some like original only, some collect high condition only, some quantity over quality.
I would like to hear from anyone what their preference is. I can say I started out condition minded but have changed direction & now lean heavy toward rarer pieces, regardless of condition. What’s your preference?
AG(Rick C)
Rick,
I am in the “original” category. I prefer my guns to be somewhere in the 75% – 95% graded condition range. I want a Winchester with honest wear and use, not a “Gun Safe Queen”. Restored Winchesters are not something I am interested in, though I do have one… a high-wall that has been in the family since the early 1950s that I had Roger’s Restorations restore for me.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Rick,
I am in the “original” category. I prefer my guns to be somewhere in the 75% – 95% graded condition range. I want a Winchester with honest wear and use, not a “Gun Safe Queen”. Restored Winchesters are not something I am interested in, though I do have one… a high-wall that has been in the family since the early 1950s that I had Roger’s Restorations restore for me.
Bert
I like your preference Bert & I can appreciate why you had the family gun restored. I’m sure it’s a beauty not to mention the sentimental attachment.
RickC (AG)
I prefer original and actually prefer the examples which are representative of the era. Not too interested in special features or one-offs.
I’ve bought a few which I knew were not original but always with a purpose in mind and always at a greatly reduced price. I know I’ve been duped at least once on a rifle presented as original which turned out to be partially reblued. My bad.
There may very well be others in the collection which are something less than I think they are. But I won’t buy one and be happy with it unless I can be convinced that it’s original.
As for condition, that’s usually capped by budget.
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
Bert H. said
I want a Winchester with honest wear and use, not a “Gun Safe Queen”.
So do I, because any guns I once had “in the too good to shoot” category (there weren’t many!) went on the block yrs ago–I kept nothing I wasn’t seriously interested in shooting, by which I mean spending plenty of time trying different loads, putting on better sights, etc.
clarence said
Bert H. said
I want a Winchester with honest wear and use, not a “Gun Safe Queen”.So do I, because any guns I once had “in the too good to shoot” category (there weren’t many!) went on the block yrs ago–I kept nothing I wasn’t seriously interested in shooting, by which I mean spending plenty of time trying different loads, putting on better sights, etc.
Would not dispute that preference Clarence. I also prefer to shoot my acquisitions!
Rick C(AG)
Nevada Paul said
I prefer original and actually prefer the examples which are representative of the era. Not too interested in special features or one-offs.I’ve bought a few which I knew were not original but always with a purpose in mind and always at a greatly reduced price. I know I’ve been duped at least once on a rifle presented as original which turned out to be partially reblued. My bad.
There may very well be others in the collection which are something less than I think they are. But I won’t buy one and be happy with it unless I can be convinced that it’s original.
As for condition, that’s usually capped by budget.
Been there & done that also Paul. Heck I still rely on Bert or others sometimes to confirm original.
Era representative is a good preference!
Rick C(AG)
Yes, Rick. Bert and others on this forum are a very valuable source for me. Michael helped me out tremendously by verifying the authenticity of several of my 1892’s for which I had questions.
Difficult to put a dollar value on the information available on this forum!
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
I want mine black and brown and original, with tons of character. And it is *not* a matter of quantity over quality. What I like *is* what I consider quality.
Huck Riley said
I want mine black and brown and original, with tons of character. And it is *not* a matter of quantity over quality. What I like *is* what I consider quality.
Fair enough Huck, can’t argue with that!
Rick C(AG)
I like both. I like as found, showing the life it had. But when that life was hard and abusive, and only the ghost remains, I think a resurrection to its former glory is ok. While you might find it better for the more common examples to rest in “pieces”, to allow a less common or unique example to be called home makes me cringe.
November 7, 2015
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I like beaters, 70% guns and occasionally high condition guns. I probably have at least one safe queen. I enjoy shooting my beaters and 70% guns but I think the safest place to invest today is in high condition guns. So yes, condition rules. Unfortunately I prefer character….and generally can’t afford condition.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I like beaters, 70% guns and occasionally high condition guns. I probably have at least one safe queen. I enjoy shooting my beaters and 70% guns but I think the safest place to invest today is in high condition guns. So yes, condition rules. Unfortunately I prefer character….and generally can’t afford condition.Mike
I hear you Mike!!
Rick C(AG)
Bert H. said
Rick,
I am in the “original” category. I prefer my guns to be somewhere in the 75% – 95% graded condition range. I want a Winchester with honest wear and use, not a “Gun Safe Queen”. Restored Winchesters are not something I am interested in, though I do have one… a high-wall that has been in the family since the early 1950s that I had Roger’s Restorations restore for me.
Bert
I am like Bert. Super high condition guns don’t really have a story.
Chuck said
Super high condition guns don’t really have a story.
That’s it in a nutshell! They were used to impress guests in a rich man’s gun room (which is the story of many mint cond. G&Hs, Hoffmans, Bob Owens, & many other custom guns), or some misfortune overcame the original buyer that prevented normal use of them.
November 7, 2015
Offline
Chuck said
I am like Bert. Super high condition guns don’t really have a story.
I was thinking that on the NIB 94 thread. The gun has no soul, no stories, no history. It’s seldom been out of the shipping box, let alone spent time under a tree in the hands of a hunter. Winchesters are meant to be used, IMHO.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I was thinking that on the NIB 94 thread. The gun has no soul, no stories, no history. It’s seldom been out of the shipping box, let alone spent time under a tree in the hands of a hunter. Winchesters are meant to be used, IMHO.
Mike
No story, no keeper. New or near new is a flipper for me unless it’s extraordinarily rare.
Rick C(AG)
I like as much condition as I can afford. The last 10% of condition can be 90% of it’s value. Whenever I hear “Turnbull” I think what a shame it is to do that to so many good guns.
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