Gunbroker Bore Grading Help

[Cemetery]

Hey Everybody,

Got a question, when looking at rifles on auction sites like gunbroker, and selling has a nice looking rifle for sale, and rates the bore as 'fine with usual black powder frost' what would that mean??

Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Wolfgang]

- - - ? ? ? . . . . that is whut I'd figur that it means.   

Any time they obscure the condition ya can figure that it is worse.   Contact the seller for a realistic   1 - 10 evaluation, . . . and be SURE to have a three day inspection and return privelege.   

[JimBob]

Frost=euphemism for light pitting.

[Cemetery]

- - - ? ? ? . . . . that is whut I'd figur that it means.   

Any time they obscure the condition ya can figure that it is worse.   Contact the seller for a realistic   1 - 10 evaluation, . . . and be SURE to have a three day inspection and return privelege.   

I asked, and he said it was an 8 on a subjective scale.  Does come with 3 day inspection and return privelege.  Good reviews on gun broker.  Told me military rifles from this era do have light corrosion.  I leaning to understand that this is like my original Winchester 92 and 94.  My 73 is rough, but still shines and works great for cowboy.

It's been reconditioned, which is fine with me, since i don't want no safe queens.

[St. George]

Actually, military weapons from years gone by often have excellent barrels, since 'most' countries' weaponry was cleaned and maintained on a schedule.

The 'frosted bore' comes from improper cleaning and lubrication - and from shooting corrosive, and not cleaning well.

Much of this comes from the way civilians 'maintain' their firearms later on - when they discovered cheap corrosive 'shooting ammo' on the market, but didn't buy and use the solvents.

Refinished weapons are all right - so long as the lettering isn't buffed away and the corners and flats are sharp, but if they're not - then there are better things to spend money on, and the 'right' piece will come along at a better price.

A three-day inspection period is the norm - but you're on the hook both ways for shipping and maybe even FFL fees, so be prepared to factor that in.

Maybe a gun show's a better idea - at least you can actually 'see' what you're looking at.

Good Luck!

[Cemetery]

Refinished weapons are all right - so long as the lettering isn't buffed away and the corners and flats are sharp, but if they're not - then there are better things to spend money on, and the 'right' piece will come along at a better price.

Maybe a gun show's a better idea - at least you can actually 'see' what you're looking at.

From the photo's i've seen, the corners and flats are sharp, while the letters are not as clear as on a similar rife which is going for a WHOLE bunch more, they are not any worse as my original 73 which is my main match gun.  I am planing on use this for SASS, and maybe long range plinking. 

[Fairshake]

Cemetery, From what I have read and seen with my old 1898 Krag these type guns are still good shooters if that is your intent. I will agree that the word frosting has been used in place of Light Pitting. If you shoot BP then the gun will more than likely shoot well with BP and 20-1 lead bullets

[St. George]

One thing about a refinished weapon - it 'stays' a 'refinished weapon' and the value remains far lower than a similar piece in original-but-well-cared-for condition that may or may not still have much original finish.

This means that it's difficult to unload, when you're trying to up-grade, or swapping/selling in order to get something that catches your eye.

Folks just won't pay or trade well for a refinished gun.

I fully understand the idea of buying it to 'shoot' - and that's all well and good - but in my experience, I see often guys paying a decent sum for a piece, and then are crestfallen when the apple of 'their' eye is shown to be valued less than originally paid, with little hope of breaking even.

This is one of those 'Caveat Emptor' deals.

Best of Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Cemetery]

One thing about a refinished weapon - it 'stays' a 'refinished weapon' and the value remains far lower than a similar piece in original-but-well-cared-for condition that may or may not still have much original finish.

This means that it's difficult to unload, when you're trying to up-grade, or swapping/selling in order to get something that catches your eye.

Folks just won't pay or trade well for a refinished gun.

I fully understand the idea of buying it to 'shoot' - and that's all well and good - but in my experience, I see often guys paying a decent sum for a piece, and then are crestfallen when the apple of 'their' eye is shown to be valued less than originally paid, with little hope of breaking even.

This is one of those 'Caveat Emptor' deals.

Best of Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

I hear what you're saying, but after doing some research, turns out said rifle was just a wee bit more than a modern repro, and unfinished rifles, in any descent condition, in question started at quite a few grand more. 

They things are, I never assume I'll ever get any money from any of my guns when it comes time to sell.  For the most, they're like cars, as soon as you open you're wallet and finalize the sale, the value instantly drops. 

[St. George]

OK - you've piqued my curiosity.

What weapon are you considering?

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Cemetery]

OK - you've piqued my curiosity.

What weapon are you considering?

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

An original '73.

[St. George]

OK - thanks.

I'll still recommend a decent gun show - one where there isn't just the one '73, and you can actually see the finish and fit and condition of the bore - and do my dealing on a Sunday, when dealers want to go home with either money or with new stock for their business.

Best of Luck!

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[john boy]

Cemetery, here is the NRA rating chart for antique firearms - would include bore condition ... http://www.handloads.com/misc/firearm.condition.asp

Re: the frost statement ... If I was selling a firearm that had BP frost, wouldn't I clean the bore and remove it .... IF IT CAN BE REMOVED?