To restore, or not to restore? That’s the foundational question to ask yourself when considering what could become a journey to revitalize, or perhaps even resurrect, your classic firearm. Helping customers understand all the ins and outs of firearm restoration is a big part of what the team at Turnbull Restoration Co. does. In fact, it surprises many how much restoration work is declined by the specialty services company based in Bloomfield, New York. That’s because helping customers arrive at the decision that’s right for them is what’s been most important to Turnbull Restoration for over 30 years.
Below are some of the questions covered by Turnbull Restoration when discussing the pros and cons of firearm restoration.
Rarity
Is the firearm rare or unique? If so, is it in the correct configuration, or have pieces and parts been incorrectly replaced or altered over the years? If yes, then it’s best to restore it back to its original configuration. Otherwise, leave it as it is.
History
Does it have specific, historical importance? If so, can it be proven it with documentation? Probably best to leave it alone then. Again, if it has parts that have been incorrectly replaced or altered, it may be best to restore it back to its original configuration.
Condition
In what condition is the firearm? If it’s in very good condition, leave it. If it’s not even functioning, or it’s missing important parts, then Turnbull might decline the restoration because it’ll be too expensive to restore it.
Investment vs. Sentiment
Would the cost of restoration outpace the value of the restored firearm? If so, it’s up to the customer whether to restore. If it has a lot of personal value, then the customer might choose to restore it even if the investment can’t be made back if the firearm was sold.
Longevity
Is the intention to pass down the firearm to future generations? Then it’s probably a good idea to restore it. Restoration improves functioning and condition, effectively resetting the clock on the life of the classic firearm.
Getting Started
Having a conversation with Turnbull and arranging a visual inspection of the firearm is the best place to start when considering restoring a classic firearm. Owners are encouraged to visit the Turnbull Restoration website to browse past restoration examples and to contact its consultants.
Thank you to Turnbull Restoration for sponsoring this post.
