got a question?

[aschatzl]

If you restore a firearm (tastefully), reblue what was blued before and refinish the stock to original color / shellac. Is that considered an altered it? My 3 mill sks is looking sad to me. It's a mix- match and would make a good project.

[Greasemonkey]

OK, "my" opinion, like a butthole, everyone has one and some stink

Refinishing adds no value to "me", and actually if it were for sale I would lowball you on it due to the refinishing. It's the way it came, the way it left, shows it's history. Yea, I'm one of those who like beat to death weapons, and are against this treatment. Personaly if I want a pretty gun, I'll go and buy a pretty gun. To me the fluff and buff ain't gonna do anything to make it function better, or more accurate, it's pure eye candy, so people at the range don't say "what a nasty looking rifle".  I just tell them I don't need beautiful to boost my self esteem about shooting

In the end you bought it, its yours, do what ever you want. Like a pig, you can dress her in heels and a nice dress, but at the end of the night, she's still a pig.

[Phosphorus32]

In my opinion, yes.  I can safely say that most purist collectors would agree.  Of course it's your rifle so you are free to do what you wish...and most collectors have probably made the same attempt at least once (most didn't like the outcome).  Besides affecting value, refinishing usually just doesn't "look right" to me with the dents, dings, scrapes and other signs of wear lying underneath the new shellac or uneven cold bluing.  Like a facelift on an aging Hollywood babe, I don't end up seeing a restoration, just an indication that someone attempted it 

Why don't you post some pics of your 3 million Type 56 and see what people think about it (or a link if you already have).  Perhaps someone will convince you of its beauty...perhaps not...either way I'd like to see it 

[aschatzl]

I know Sometimes you need other peoples opinions. just got up today and had a thought. I know other people have gone down this road and just wanted to know how the felt about it. That why I joined this group.
I would hate to refinish and regret it.

[Greasemonkey]

Too me, that's a beauty  .  If i ran across that one sitting next to say a pretty Norinco, I would be more inclined to buy it. Deep down it has dirty little secrets, only it knows and will never tell. I'd rub the stock down a couple of times with lemon oil and enjoy it.

[aschatzl]

thanks for setting me straight

[Dannyboy53]

I'm falling in step with Greasemonkey and Phosphorus! I think this is a top shelf carbine and wouldn't hesitate to buy it because of the appearance of it. Given that it functions as it's supposed to, it would have a place among my other well worn war guns!

[Phosphorus32]

Yup that's a nice looking stock and the metal shows honest wear, aka a "fine patina" (if you use a nice word or phrase it looks even better) 

I'd pick that off a rack in a heartbeat