What Has Been Done to This Gun?

[caltx01]

What would have been done to this gun to get it this clean? It is almost as if it is nickle plated, or Stainless Steel. How would it have been cleaned like this? Has this cleaning destroyed its value to collectors? In all other respects it is in extremely nice condition with a strong very lightly frosted bore.

Thanks for all opinions,
Cal in TX

[Pete44ru]

What would have been done to this gun to get it this clean? - An abomination

How would it have been cleaned like this? - Most likely a ScotchBrite scrubbing pad

Has this cleaning destroyed its value to collectors? - Yes

It "cleaned up right nice", though.......... . . .



.

[Chuck 100 yd]

Probably used a Scotch Bright Pad to get it like that.
That pad removed most of it`s collector value along with the patina I assume it had.
Might as well go ahead and reblue it now. It`s a shooter not a collector.

[KirkD]

Like the others said. The fellow cleaned away the collector's value. It would still make a nice shooter, however.

[caltx01]

Thanks for the replies, fellows. So, given what you see, what would be a reasonable offer for this gun assuming it was to be reblued and used as a shooter?

Would it be better not to reblue or does it really matter at this point?

Also, is it possible to load .44-40 loads with smokeless powder that are safe and will not cause excessive wear, or should one plan to stick to black powder loads?

Thanks again, I sure do appreciate the value of all the collective experience!

Cal in TX

[Griff]

To me, I see no reason not to re-blue it. Especially if you plan on keeping and shooting it. It will add an extra measure of protection from the elements, and at this point, certainly won't detract from the value. In another 50 or 100 years, with prudent care, you might never know it'd been refinished, (as long as the wood/metal fit is still good... no sanding's been done).

Value at this point is of a shooter... between $700-$1,200 depending on condition of bore and wood, etc. If mechanically sound, towards the higher end of that spectrum, then it's dependent on the bore. I certainly wouldn't put a bid in on it until I could inspect it in person.

[Old Ironsights]

OR, (to be contrary), since it's "in the white", you could just go ahead and use a little Paste Wax and pretend it got that way from living in sandstorms its entire life...

[ollogger]

Ive paid as little as 550.00 for a 73 that wasn't messed with, but was kind of beat up
Ive never shot black powder in a 73 but always shot cast bullets
I don't know what I would do with that gun? shoot it & let time put some age back on it?
Theres ways to antique a gun

ollogger

[M. M. Wright]

Looks like a good candidate for a homemade rust blue.

[Ben_Rumson]

Well your rifle is not proper un blued.. BUT it should be easy to care for if left as is... A little oil on 0000 steel wool will do...keep as much gun oil on it as you would a blued gun and you'll be good to go, and you wont have bluing to worry about.
I've got an 1833 dated US flintlock musket that was finished bright & cared for all its life... It's still bright....
Back in the day they used water or steam or powered grinders and buffers with leather buffing wheels loaded up with crocus to do the polishing at Springfield or Harpers Ferry armories ...they called it Armory Bright....Most of the C.W muskets were finished that way...

[Joe S.]

reblue it! in 120 years, no one will be able to tell it wasnt original!