Thread: Restore gun stock. Will it ruin value of rifle

I have been toying with restoring the stock on my P14 .303. It has loads of dents and bangs and I have thought about stripping it back and re staining etc. Will this reduce the vale of the rifle if I do this or will it not matter?

What value does it have now? How long do you intend to own it. If you do the stock is it to enhance it for your own enjoyment? What is its value going to increase by in the future in its current state? I've come to the conclusion that unless I'm extremely lucky at a garage sale or the fleas, ther ain't much I NZ I could afford to own that's going to make me a fortune by collecting it. I collect things I enjoy myself and want to own and will hold their value over the time I'm their guardian. Only things different to that are those things with sentimental value. So if you'll enjoy it more by doing the stock, go for it. When you die, no other bastard will give a shit?

When you die, no other bastard will give a shit? And you wont give a shit iff they do.

Originally Posted by Maca49

What value does it have now? How long do you intend to own it. If you do the stock is it to enhance it for your own enjoyment? What is its value going to increase by in the future in its current state? I've come to the conclusion that unless I'm extremely lucky at a garage sale or the fleas, there ain't much I NZ I could afford to own that's going to make me a fortune by collecting it. I collect things I enjoy myself and want to own and will hold their value over the time I'm their guardian. Only things different to that are those things with sentimental value. So if you'll enjoy it more by doing the stock, go for it. When you die, no other bastard will give a shit?

Hi Maca, I paid 600 for it and have seen them go recently for about 900. I just don't want to find that after getting it re-stained that it drops massively in value and becomes worthless because I have fiddled with it.

Personally I would do very little to it. Original P14s (even Eddystones ) are now fetching good money - as you have pointed out. I would strip it down, being careful not to mangle any screws and I would maybe clean any surface rust, if you haven't already done so, with fine steel wool and oil. Clean out any congealed oil inside the wood work and that's it. Be very careful doing anything substantial to the stock exterior. When I was young I purchased a Hollis Cavalry Snider complete with saddle ring. I took to the stock confident I could clean it up and then "re-age" it. The gun is still in my possession and every time I drag it out I cringe, the stock condition is so obviously not correct for its vintage and life's usage. I know damn well that what I did actually decreased its value to a collector.

It's a cruel cruel world we live in master Freddy

If you pm your email I'll send you a very handy pdf guide on Enfeild/p14 restoration.

There is a lot you can do without pissing of future owners,while increasing your own pride of ownership

Originally Posted by res

If you pm your email I'll send you a very handy pdf guide on Enfeild/p14 restoration.

There is a lot you can do without pissing of future owners,while increasing your own pride of ownership

Thanks mate, I'll PM you now

If its the one in your avatar its already had the rear sight milled off? cant see if the stock has been sporterised or not but if it has your not going to loose anything by giving her a polish up

Originally Posted by big_foot

If its the one in your avatar its already had the rear sight milled off? cant see if the stock has been sporterised or not but if it has your not going to loose anything by giving her a polish up

Sorry should have put some more info up. It is a P14 Eddystone full length will original sights and all 4 matching serial numbers. It has the fat boy stock. I paid 600 for it but have seen some beaten up ones with non matching serials go for 900+ now.

Stupid thing keeps flipping the photo upside down. :S

Originally Posted by rs200nz

Stupid thing keeps flipping the photo upside down. :S

Are you referring to the operator of an inanimate object?

Just using a PC. Image is correct orientation on my PC and as soon as I insert into post it rotates it 90 degrees left lol. I'll try this random pic

Originally Posted by rs200nz

Just using a PC. Image is correct orientation on my PC and as soon as I insert into post it rotates it 90 degrees left lol. I'll try this random pic

Attachment 34913

You captured @Maca49 in a way many have failed to do before

That one worked :S I'll try the gun again