CraigeC, I can see yer point. Guns are made to shoot but.....I think the 2nd Gens were made to collect a little more. People go fer the unturned/unfired 2nd Gens. Those have the value the people want.
It's not really profit or money where the value lies. It's what the gun inherently is...unfired/unturned shows the gun in it's true light as art/craftsmanship in form and function. A fired used used gun can show the same art/craft if it's maintained well and a lot of folks do shoot and maintain their guns well so they hold their intrinsic value as a art in form and function. A nice gun is a beautiful machine.
I guess if an 2nd Gen was converted well and artfully displaying high end craftmanship it could be/show more or be more of an interest. A hacked up so-so conversion would ruin the guns art in form and function that it originally had. Like when someone takes away from a nice antique gun what it originally displayed with it's original form and craftmanship.
I could value a 2nd Gen Colt gun converted and......even feel it's been added to by the craftman that altered it. Take a conversion 2nd Gen Colt Raven may work.......if it's without the sligtest eye-sore of ill fit anywhere inside or out and displaying the artform and craftmanship of a conversion done exactly as an original was done......I'd buy it and value it but not for it's money value but for it's value as folk art/craftsmanship/gunsmithing skill/sweat/blood and tears put into it.
If my Grandpa used it to pop rabbits fer supper fer Grandma and shot the gun fer years as a favorite I'd worship the gun. If it were someone elses Grandpa....not appreciate it the same way.
When I see 2nd Gens used and utterly abused I gringe. When I see a used/fired one in nice shape (I actually hope to find) I hope to buy them fer being a bargin I may be able to aford.
![Grin ;D](https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/Smileys/cowboys/grin.gif)
I have a 2nd Gen 1860 Army I bought unfired and all and.....ain't enjoyed it yet the way I'd like as I hesitate to shoot it. I did like the fact it wasn't fired and I would be in command as to whether it would be fired or left as is. Now I have a little delema and some responsibility to posterity. Now.....with your opinion shown...it's worse of a hassel to make a decision. It's still stored away wrapped in rust-blox paper and a plastic bag and I get some satisfaction knowing it's there and unfired and all. I get it out now and then and look at it. I go out and "shoot" my Belgian made 1860 Army pistol and my Uberti conversion/Open Top guns.
![Grin ;D](https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/Smileys/cowboys/grin.gif)
It would be easier if Grandpa was still around and I could give it(the 2nd Gen) to him to break in fer me for a coupla decades.
![Shocked :o](https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/Smileys/cowboys/shocked.gif)
I could pass the responsibility/dirty deed to him and then get the gun back in fired/broke in and ready to be used some more condition.
Anywhoooo......either way.....shoot the gun or not shoot the gun or convert or not convert it's right whatever the owner wants to do.....if the gun is not abused. Convertin the gun to a Richards or Richards Mason it's only right enough if the gunsmith is a master at it and adds to the gun and not takes away from it.
I do see yer point Hombre and....couldn't or wouldn't argue on it much. I'd rather use the debate time to go shootin.
![Cheesy :D](https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/Smileys/cowboys/cheesy.gif)
If it were a converted 2nd Gen I'd hope it was in original configuration shootin the heeled bullet 44 Colt cartridge with black powder.
![Wink ;)](https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/Smileys/cowboys/wink.gif)
I'd be hoping that the converter did a special artful master craftsman job on it too.
All things said though.....I wouldn't want to convert the 2nd Gen I have. I'd do that conversion with a regular ole Uberti gun instead. While at that I might be agonizing over whether or not to shoot my second Gen.
![Grin ;D](https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/Smileys/cowboys/grin.gif)