What is impact of value of a re-finished rare rifle ?

[catweazle_23]

Regarding a Belgium M-1888 Comblain Forrester carbine or other rare "birds".
-If stock has been sanded and varnished.
-If butt plate has been replaced and stock altered to make it fit.
-If rifle has been re-blued.

In general, expressed in % what kind of impact do any of the above actions have on the value ?
Probably a tough question to answer, but any input is very welcome.

Thanks !

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[Patrick Chadwick]

In general, expressed in % what kind of impact do any of the above actions have on the value ?

The actions you describe, if all performed on the same rifle, reduce a value of thousands to hundreds. Irreversible alteration is the biggest sin there is in the eyes of a collector.

[catweazle_23]

Thanks for your reply Patrick.

Yes they are all performed on one rifle, sadly...
If you would have to order my list of actions ranging from minimal to most severe impact on value would it look like this ?
1 - re-finished stock
2 - re-blued
3 - modifications like a new butt plate or other modifications.
(3 - most severe)

Joop

[Patrick Chadwick]

The order seems about right to me.

[catweazle_23]

Thanks again for your reply.

[samnev]

The actions you describe, if all performed on the same rifle, reduce a value of thousands to hundreds. Irreversible alteration is the biggest sin there is in the eyes of a collector.

At least 50% or more depending on how much has been done to the item.

[browningautorifle]

I think it might be worse than that Samnev...it reduces it to the point that it's no longer wanted by a collector at all.