Author Topic: Restore or not. (Read 8981 times)

David Price · « **on:** January 22, 2013, 01:39:13 AM »

Someone brought this musket into my shop for me to restore. I know this subject has been discussed before, but look at this gun and tell me what you think. I havn't been on the forum for a while so I hope that i have copied these pictures correctly.

[/img][/img]/img][/img][/img]

Cory Joe Stewart · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2013, 01:45:37 AM »

David,

My real job is being a historian. As a historian what I would prefer to see with this artifact is for it to be restored only as much as needs be done to protect it from further damage. Perhaps reconnecting the pieces so it can be displayed. Does this client want it restored for use? I hope not.

Coryjoe

Don Stith · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2013, 01:48:16 AM »

Maybe I am having a dense day, but why would you not repair it? The owner may not be willing to pay what it will cost. Otherwise it needs fixing. How far you go and how might be a question.

cmac · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:08:59 AM »

Its an original: Why not restore?

David Price · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:12:48 AM »

Perhaps restore was not the word that I should have used. He wanted to know if I could glue it together so that it could be displayed. I know that I can glue it togeather but there is a lot of wood missing. There is a bag of small pieces but I don't think that all the pieces are there. The lower thimble is missing as is the nose cap. As you can see there was an old repair done years ago. The lock works perfectly. He also indicated that he would sell it in its present condition. If any one wants it I will give him your name and number and you can deal directly with him.

David

louieparker · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:29:44 AM »

As Don says the gun should be fixed... Leave the old repair at the wrist but after gluing together add the necessary wood . On some wrist breaks you can go under the trigger guard and cut a deep channel that spans the break and fit a piece of wood for extra strength, ,. . Replace the ram rod pipe and repair the guard and you should end up with a very nice gun.. I would never consider not repairing this gun.. Louie

kutter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:59:40 AM »

Absolutely repair/restore it.
Someone else repaired the wrist when it broke at one point many years ago.

Restoration now is putting it back into the condition it was before the modern break occured.

The new wood break & the trigger guard tang break get repaired. The restoration process is making sure the new repairs look and blend with original wear and patina of the surrounding areas.
Don't improve it or upgrade it,,preserve it.

I wouldn't replace the missing ramrod tube from what I see of the picture. I looks like it's been missing for some time and the piece has been handled and used enough to put wear over the edges of the inlet.
It went missing and was left that way. Part of it's history the way I look at it.
Just like the old wrist repair,,leave it alone.

JMHO..

Blacksmoke · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2013, 07:47:33 AM »

David, If you choose to restore this "Bess" and need some old English walnut to replace what is missing - I have some from a "Bess" about the same period. Let me know how big a piece and you are welcome to it.
Hugh Toenjes

eddillon · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2013, 09:59:05 AM »

Most definitely repair the wrist in the manner described and replace the missing entry pipe.

WadePatton · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2013, 07:43:36 PM »

Another way to look at this is,

you gotta fix it, if you don't...somebody else will.(possibly horribly)

provided client can pay the bill. and if they choose not to spend the money with you, try to make sure they understand that it needs to be done properly, and can be done properly given a good 'smith and time and money.

JTR · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2013, 08:01:14 PM »

If someone doesn't repair it, it'll just be a matter of time before this old gun finds itself in a trash can, on the way to the dump.

John

keweenaw · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2013, 08:06:10 PM »

John got ahead of me here. As is, this piece will be further damaged to the point where the wrist repair will be much more difficult or the parts will get separated, etc. No reason not to do this one.

KLMoors · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2013, 12:37:34 AM »

Great old piece that I believe deserves another chance to be a good looking old girl. I'd be inclined to take Hugh up on his offer and make a single piece of wood to fix the gap. It looks to me like there is no where near enough in that bag to fill that hole.

There have been some amazing pictures right here on ALR of guns that have been retored form worse damage than this. I am always in favor of saving these old pieces to be enjoyed by posterity.

Of course, this is easy for me to say. I don't have (nor would I be able) to pay for it.

Ky-Flinter · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2013, 06:28:19 AM »

Hi David,

Good to see you on the Board. I fixed the links for the first 4 pictures. Hope you don't mind.

-Ron

David Price · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2013, 02:56:57 AM »

Thank you all for your response. I did receive five e mails from people that are interested in buying it, in its present condition. I have forwarded their e mails directly to the owner and he is going to contact them. If he does not sell it I will definitely repair it for him and document it in pictures and place them on the Forum. I have repaired some real tough ones in the past, but like some of you said, it is quite expensive.

I will also try to reply on the forum more often. I just get so tired after working all day in the shop that I usually just answer my e mail and go to bed. Getting old is not all it is cracked up to be!!!

David

Bill57 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2013, 08:24:42 PM »

Good afternoon, I am the owner of the Tower Flintlock that David Price referred to in his January 2013 post, subject: Restore or Not. Thank you for your input.

The story of this flintlock, as I understand it from my late father, was that it was picked up off the battlefield at West Point by the grandfather(?) of my grandfather's cousin. The only other thing I know of it, is that my mother dropped it 15 years ago and that's how the stock got shattered.

I don't have the emotional attachment nor the money to restore the Tower, so I have decided to sell it. I know there are several folks who are interested in purchasing it as a result of David's inquiry. In two weeks, I'm leaving the state for 3 months, so would like to sell it before then. If interested, I may be contacted at wookie_9876@yahoo.com.

Acer Saccharum · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2013, 08:50:43 PM »

You'd be best served by putting this in the 'for sale section' with photos and price.

Thanks, Tom

FlintFan · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2013, 09:01:35 PM »

What a wonderful, and rare, French and Indian war era Long Land musket. The pattern 1742 muskets are more rare than the pattern 1755, and later Rev war period muskets. That gun is a gem,even in it's current condition, and I would advise you to get the opinion of someone knowledgeable about it's value before selling. You may very well get low ball offers, and need to be knowledgeable about what you have before you accept the first offer.

Selling through an auction site may be a better alternative if you truly want to get it's true value.

Bill57 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2013, 09:21:17 PM »

Thank you both for your responses. Fortunately, the readers of these Gun Building posts have been overwhelmingly positive about restoring it.

I'm aware that this Tower is a rare piece, but the challenge is, is to find someone who can tell me it's worth (as is) so I can ask a fair, reasonable price. Without a price, I'm unable to put it in ALR's For Sale section per ALR's rules.

An auction sounds great, but what auction is followed by knowledgeable folks such as yourselves who are looking for such items and know their worth?

E.vonAschwege · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2013, 04:55:10 AM »

The downside with auctions is many of the people are looking for already-repaired items. That said, a lot of gunsmiths and collectors who don't mind a fixer-upper keenly watch the auction websites - I've picked up a few "unknown" fixer uppers and have thoroughly enjoyed repairing and bringing them back to life. This musket having some history and being rare will still probably catch a lot of attention.
If I weren't a virtually broke just-out-of-college student I'd be sending you an offer as well - I've been keeping my eyes out for a musket of this vintage! It's a beautiful piece with a relatively crisp break (even if it's missing wood chips), and will be a great example of this period Bess once restored right. Good luck with it,
-Eric

Jim Kibler · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2013, 05:22:23 PM »

Auctions have their benefits, but there is a cost. Buyers and sellers premiums cut into profits. Oftentimes auction prices are more of a wholesale or dealer price as well. If a seller is able to educate himself as to value and market it himself, I believe he generally stands to make more money in the end. Not always, but I suspect this is generally the case.

pathfinder · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2013, 05:51:14 PM »

Does anyone have a ballpark on price? I have a TRS 1742 that I shoot regularly,this would be a great piece to display with it. It's probably a pipe dream,I too am on a "fixed income". Not broke,"Frugal"!

News:

Author Topic: Restore or not. (Read 8981 times)

eddillon

keweenaw

Bill57

Bill57