Quote:
Originally Posted by KC911
....but he did a nice job on the deck  |
Ooh boy, don't get me started on "name brand" deck sealers. I pressure wash and seal every September. Tried something new this year - you can see the results. I'm just glad they don't try to push this stuff as a "stock finish". Grrrr....
I actually have considered having these refinished. They have no value as "collectables", just as shooters. I hunted with the Ballard for a few years, my hunting partner hunted with the Hepburn at the same time. We both killed a few deer with them.
The Hepburn is the only "original", but even at that, I have now replaced the sights. The Ballard was re-chambered and re-bored from .40-63 to .45-70 in the 1940's, with the new caliber rather crudely stamped over the old. The Highwall was originally a .40-70 Sharps Straight, but with the original chamber meant for .403" diameter bullets - with a .408" groove diameter. My buddy had it re-chambered, at my behest, to the "modern" chamber that allows for .408"-.410" diameter bullets. It shoots far better that way.
So, yeah, re-finishing rifles like these really isn't a foul, as it would be with more collectable, valuable rifles.