Any Thoughts on Professionally "Restored" WWI Handguns?

[Scott Gahimer]

Let's say you can afford that original collectible pistol, car, or whatever. And, it is involved in an accident. The "doctors" then repair/restore it. Will you be happy with it?

OTOH, let's say you just want to shoot the hell out of it, drive the hell out of it, or whatever the hell out of it. And, you want it to look "----". Will you be happy with what the "doctors" provide?

Best Regards,

Probably not. That's why I don't shoot my collectible pistols. No need for "doctors". Call it preventative medicine.

[Johnny P]

Collectibles were not all created equal, nor the way they are accepted. The film shown below shows a guy wrecking a vintage Bugatti race car. In 12 to 18 months virtually every piece will have been replaced, and it will probably be worth more than before it was wrecked. If he "drives the hell out of it" and wrecks it again, it can be rebuilt again without losing any value. I suppose a blown up pistol could be hammered, welded, had new markings applied, and finally polished and blued, but who would then want it at it's former value?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uryBzKDkpIc

[jlutin]

Back in 2003 I had wanted a nice 1911 but I could not afford anything decent. I bought a 1917 model with essentially zero finish, but correct parts, from a well-respected collector who often has posted here. I sent it to Bill Adair who restored it. Bill was declining in health at the time and it took about a year for me to get the pistol. I compared his work with high resolution photos from a disc provided by another experienced collector and the grain of the finish and lettering were virtually indistinguishable. His workmanship was impeccable. He died not long after. It is my favorite Colt, although I have others with original finishes. Not only is it a fine example of a 1917 pistol, it reminds me of a skilled craftsman, Bill Adair, whose work remains a testimony to his skill.

I do not intend to sell it, and if my heirs decide to sell it, they will be instructed to tell prospective buyers it has been restored by Bill Adair.

[1563621]

Back in 2003 I had wanted a nice 1911 but I could not afford anything decent. I bought a 1917 model with essentially zero finish, but correct parts, from a well-respected collector who often has posted here. I sent it to Bill Adair who restored it. Bill was declining in health at the time and it took about a year for me to get the pistol. I compared his work with high resolution photos from a disc provided by another experienced collector and the grain of the finish and lettering were virtually indistinguishable. His workmanship was impeccable. He died not long after. It is my favorite Colt, although I have others with original finishes. Not only is it a fine example of a 1917 pistol, it reminds me of a skilled craftsman, Bill Adair, whose work remains a testimony to his skill.

I do not intend to sell it, and if my heirs decide to sell it, they will be instructed to tell prospective buyers it has been restored by Bill Adair.

If you have the orig. receipt, Save it with 1911. That will be a collector piece by itself.

[Johnny P]

There are some people that do beautiful restorations of blued 1911A1 pistols, and even to changing early phosphate finished 1911A1's to brushed blue, but I can't imagine these ever being highly desirable.

[Scott Gahimer]

I'm not really sure the restorations add anything, in most cases, to the value or desirability of the pistols. I think most of the value always is derived from what the pistol is. If it's an ultra-rare, low-production rate example with few known pieces, then it may be something viewed as desirable, or collectible by some. But common pieces will never be desirable or collectible compared to an original example.

I think Bill Adair's work on Brushed Blue Colts was better than most other restoration people. But, in the end, any restoration only has more value than a zero percent finish example with a lot of nicks and bruises...and then, only an increase, IMO, of the sum of the labor cost. I know some value restorations higher than I do, but I draw the line at about 1/3 the value of a like condition example...and then, it has to be a rare example to be worth that.

[ignats]

[QUOTE=
I do not intend to sell it, and if my heirs decide to sell it, they will be instructed to tell prospective buyers it has been restored by Bill Adair.[/QUOTE]

They might not but sooner or later it will leave their hands and who knows what it will be touted as. Bill did some great work at reasonable prices, but they won't fool anyone who has been collecting awhile and has seen the real original items. His engraving is superior, but not that great you can usually spot the difference when you've looked at correct original specimens. None the less, if you want a nice looking pistol of the era, he was the guy to see.

[JimF]

Who is out there now, that can do equal work to Bill Adair?

As my luck would have it, Bill and I were in the middle of discussing refinishing my 1914-era commercial 1911, when he passed away, so I'm back to square one on this piece! --Jim

[usmc69]

Had in my possession for awhile a first year production of the SAA in 44-40. It was in rough shape and missing some parts. I thought of a Turnbull restoration. Saw that he wanted $6000 to do it. Decided to pass and now I am glad that I did.

[Bhauer]

When I was 8 years old I was befriended by a World War II Vet who was our neighboring rancher. He was in his 70's and didn't have any children. We became almost inseparable and spent time doing chores hunting, shooting and rock collecting, etc. He had an early 1911 that he had purchased from Col. who was in WWI. He was 13 years old when he bought it for $13. I recall thinking he was a little crazy for carying it in the front of his pants with no holster and just his belt to keep it from falling into his underwear. He would let me hold it but I wasn't allowed to shoot it until I was around 14 years old. It was very worn with little bluing left and the checkering on the grips almost worn away in places. However he took care of his things and I remeber him having me clean and oil that pistol along with his other firearms. There were many stories he told me more than twice, including the time his younger brother's toe was shot off by one of the neighborhood kids with the pistol. He always kept it locked and loaded unfortunately for his little brother. Then of course there was time he killed a running coyote at a 100 yards with it.
For Christmas when I was about 16 he gave me an old dovetailed ammo box that was nailed shut. Inside was the pistol, 3 magazines, a box of shells and his old Calvary belt, (apparently so it wouldn't fall into my underwear). I carried the pistol for a few more decades, have a few more stories to add to it, including killing a javalena in Texas. He was running at 100 yards. (Lol! Just kidding). Still have the pistol. Still shoot it occasionally and keep it clean and oiled as he taught me. Wish my old buddy was still here to do chores with and shoot that old colt together. I agree with what others have said. Refinishing an older relic takes the beauty and romance away from the history and stories the firearm has lived.

[Bhauer]

Here's a couple photos:
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[Bill E]

Very nice, thanks for posting the pictures.

[da gimp]

Here's to good friends like that......... good pistols like this & those who treasured both... as the friendship of brothers always is the highest gift possible............congrats sir.

[Johnny P]

Had in my possession for awhile a first year production of the SAA in 44-40. It was in rough shape and missing some parts. I thought of a Turnbull restoration. Saw that he wanted $6000 to do it. Decided to pass and now I am glad that I did.

Don't despair. The .44-40 (.44 WCF) didn't come out until 1877/78, so the caliber had been changed.

[Duane Hansen]

Who is out there now, that can do equal work to Bill Adair?

As my luck would have it, Bill and I were in the middle of discussing refinishing my 1914-era commercial 1911, when he passed away, so I'm back to square one on this piece! --Jim

moeller912@mchsi.com

Try this outfit, I've heard good things about his work.

Steve Moeller Restoration
815-589-2300

https://www.stevemoellerrestoration.com