Inherited a few old guns this year from my father in law's passing - have posted some here. Two of them have me torn on what to do - my Smith-Corona 03-A3 and my Arisaka w/ the intact markings. Both guns were very, very neglected before I got them. I've been trying to clean them up - there was a lot of surface rust on them, and still is honestly. Been doing treatments with fine steel wool and nylon scour pads with oil but the rust is pretty bad. I've been debating on refinishing them, going back and forth. They're historical pieces that will never be made again, so part of me says refinish them so they're more likely to last three more generations, but part says "no, leave them as is because restoring them would be destroying their history"
Part of the issue is their value - as wonderful as they are, I may want to move them (or at least the Arisaka) along to collectors who will appreciate them more as pieces to look at and touch occasionally rather than shooters. There's a little defect in my brain that doesn't like taking up space in the safe with guns that I can't shoot. The 03A3 I think would still be a shooter no problem - its got the least amount of rust. The Arisaka - lots of spotty rust issues on the outside of the action and dust cover plate. I've thought about having a gunsmith redo the blue on them - but I know it'd never be the same. Seems no way to recreate the same deep look a lot of the old guns had.
What would ya'll do if you had them? Refinish? Leave as is?
Part of the issue is their value - as wonderful as they are, I may want to move them (or at least the Arisaka) along to collectors who will appreciate them more as pieces to look at and touch occasionally rather than shooters. There's a little defect in my brain that doesn't like taking up space in the safe with guns that I can't shoot. The 03A3 I think would still be a shooter no problem - its got the least amount of rust. The Arisaka - lots of spotty rust issues on the outside of the action and dust cover plate. I've thought about having a gunsmith redo the blue on them - but I know it'd never be the same. Seems no way to recreate the same deep look a lot of the old guns had.
What would ya'll do if you had them? Refinish? Leave as is?