Refinishing ruin collectors value?

[threepdr]

Of course refinishing a colletable gun can ruin its value, question is do I have a collectable gun? 

I have a S&W 29-2, 4 inch nickle that was built in 1961.  It came from estate slate and I paid $300 for it.  The revolver was fired very little but shows a lot of carry wear from years of use by a LEO.  The wooden grips are dark and sweat/oil stained and chipped in a couple of places.  The nickle has dulled and corrosion is showing where the finish has been nicked in a few places.  There are a few places where the nickle is corroded slightly where the grips came in contact with the metal.

A good friend is encouraging me to send it to S&W to be re-nickled.  Would this enhance or detract from the value of the revolver?

BTW, the revolver shoot excellent as it is.
'
THanks

[Mikey]

threepdr:  I once had the same model S&W and foolishly sold it.  My current 29-2 started life as a 'Dirty Harry' piece but was later sent back to S&W for rebarrel and refinish.  I do not believe your revolver has any real collector value but 29-2s are valuable (at least to me anyhow).  The nickle finish was standard, as was the blue finish, back then as they did not yet have stainless steel versions.

I would 'second' your friend's suggestion to have it refinished by S&W.  This would actually enhance the value I believe, not detract from it.

Also, when S&W refinishes one of their revolvers they make certain all the lettering and the logo are still crisp, clear and as easy to read as they were when the piece was new.  If you have ever seen a revolver refinished by someplace or someone other than S&W you can easily see it was refinished as the lettering and logo are not sharp and crisp, no matter how nice the blue is. 

If you want your revolver refinished in nickle I am absolutely certain it willlook brand spankin' new when you get it back and I am almost as certain it will look as good if and when you pass it on.  jmtcw.

[threepdr]

Thanks Mikey,

Good advice and that is what I'll do eventually.  This gun has already grown on me.  I don't suspect I'll be letting it go anytime soon.

Mark

[Autorim]

With the condition of the gun as you described, I doubt that it has any serious collector value. IME, I look at the math. Will the cost of refinishing add that much value to the gun? If not then it does not compute economically. If you want to do it because you want it to look better, go ahead and have it refinished. If you want a shooter, spend the money on ammo and keep it as is.

[Mohawk]

  I would keep it as is. It is showing character of it's past. That has personal value also. I have Hand-ejector in .32-20 and it is in original form. I wouldn't change a thing, because it shows a "history" as it was carried by a Dallas Police Officer in the early '30's, my grandfather. I also have his Dallas Police original Model 21 that has taken a life in self-defense. It too is kept in original form.

[S.B.]

The majority of the time, refinishing doesn't get your money back when sold. You bought your gun at a very reasonable price so, why not just shoot and enjoy it the way it is? Your description doesn't sound that bad to me as long as the gun is servicable(lock up and timing).Original is the key word for collectors and yours would never be original again, if refinished. I see many guns listed on other sites sold as original when they're far from this condition? By the condition of yours I'd be sure it is original.
Personally, I love 29-2s, they're a great shooting gun. They've got the pinned barrel and resessed chambers and everything else I like in S&Ws, besides, they're just like what Elmer carried. Shoot this one and enjoy it. The one thing I would check on this gun is to see the cylinder doesn't back up a chamber while firing it(hasn't been abused)?
Steve