To Refinish or Not To Refinish

[Chalk_2]

Hi All, I have an Inland carbine kit that I put together and I'm wondering if I should have it reparked or not. I know it will have no collecter value so I'm thinking a repark so all the parts match. Also who could I send it off to have it built. The only thing really to do is to barrel and head space receiver, press the rear and front sights on.

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[LeagleEagle]

It's a matter of personal preference. I've restored a number of arsenal rebuilt carbines to their WW2 as manufactured state and reparked all of them, because I wanted the just come out of the factory look. For work on them, including repark I'd recommend chuckindenver from over on the '03 and 1917 forum. He's done real nice work for me.
https://www.milsurps.com/member.php?u=5812

[Chalk_2]

LeagleEagle, Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go ahead and get it done, and contact Chuck when I'm ready.

[2AD_Vet]

I had my 1943 Standard Products professionally restored back to orginal issue configuration and reparkerized. I am very happy with the results and any value it may have removed by doing it was offset for me by having it made safe, and relieable, and it looks fantastic.

I used Miltech for the work and the guys are really great and the restoration price was reasonable.

M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, 1903 Springfield, Miltech Firearms Sales Restoration and Service

[emmagee1917]

Depends on the look you want. Fresh from rebuild , all matching finish. Fresh from original mfg , not so much. Parked parts from several sub-contractors different dipping tank mixes , blued bolts , etc. resulted in a carbine that didn't match so much. Each mfg. made thier own mix of parts in house and thier own mix of parts from sub-contractors which resulted in thier own mix of what should match and what could or should be off in thier own run-of-the-mill production ( if there even is such a thing ) .
Chris

[Rustship]

It's kind of like Hot Roddin, you go out and buy a 63 split window corvette. It has the orignal paint, all cracked and orange peeled, faded, chipped. Interior is original, cracked, faded, musty. Engine is greasy and grimy. What would you do, drive it like that. I dont think so. So what is any different about the 63 and an old ragged Carbine. I dont think there is anything wrong with restorations. Just my Opinion. By the way, the Standard Products looks Great!

[DaveHH]

After watching these antique shows and seeing people cut values in half by refinishing, it makes a person at least stop and think. I look at all the ruined Lugers, nickle plated Colts, and wonder why people would do this stuff.

I supposed for a shooter with a lot of rust, I might think about a repark, but it would have to be something other than the light grey that some people do. It just comes down to personal preference; some people view finish as the most important aspect of a firearm.

[Chalk_2]

After watching these antique shows and seeing people cut values in half by refinishing, it makes a person at least stop and think. I look at all the ruined Lugers, nickle plated Colts, and wonder why people would do this stuff.

I supposed for a shooter with a lot of rust, I might think about a repark, but it would have to be something other than the light grey that some people do. It just comes down to personal preference; some people view finish as the most important aspect of a firearm.

I thought about this, but being this rifle will be a "Put Together Gun" from parts I selected. I assumed it will have no value as a collecter anyway, so why not refinish. I'm I correct in saying that?

[Rustship]

Here is an example of a restoration Re-Park that PBI did. He is a member of this forum. Just let the picture do the talking. You can reach him by e-mail, his e mail address is m1cc@msn.com. His name is Paul Imbragulio.

[Chalk_2]

Looks original. Nice