Restore Broomhandle Mauser

[dblscale]

Anyone in the Nashville area that restores broomhandle Mausers? This is a family piece handed down to me and it's in rough shape but I'd like to try and restore it. Any recommendations will be appreciated.

Edited May 23, 2018 by dblscale
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[No_0ne]

From strictly a collectability and value perspective, leave it alone.  Unmolested, unrestored pieces are typically sought after by collectors more so than guns that have been "prettied up". As an heirloom, you may have a completely different objective for it, and that's understandable, just be aware that the next person who owns it may not feel the same.  In that case, it's likely that any restoration done to it now may highly reduce its value in the future.  In regards to your original question, you might have better luck on some of the collector boards, like gunboards.com. Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it ...

[1gewehr]

It depends on what you mean by 'rough shape'.  If its really rusty and pitted, it may not have much collector value unless its a rare variation.

If its just lost most of its finish and is dirty, I'd gently clean it up and replace the springs with a new set.  Wolff Springs sells a complete kit.  Do your best to clean without harsh chemicals or anything that would remove original finish or markings.

A web search will lead to lots of information.  Fascinating old pistols with amazing history.

[MikeW]

Pic's?

I'd leave it as is... even if it is just going to be a shooter.

[No_0ne]

On 5/24/2018 at 9:09 AM, MikeW said:

Pic's?

I'd leave it as is... even if it is just going to be a shooter.

"Leave it as it is. You cannot improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it."

-Theodore Roosevelt

[Mike.357]

I'd leave it as is.    You ought to post pics of it.

[Garufa]

2 hours ago, Mike.357 said:

I'd leave it as is.    You ought to post pics of it.

I agree on both.

[Moped]

We'd love to see it!

 

[dblscale]

On 5/23/2018 at 2:09 PM, No_0ne said:

From strictly a collectability and value perspective, leave it alone.  Unmolested, unrestored pieces are typically sought after by collectors more so than guns that have been "prettied up". As an heirloom, you may have a completely different objective for it, and that's understandable, just be aware that the next person who owns it may not feel the same.  In that case, it's likely that any restoration done to it now may highly reduce its value in the future.  In regards to your original question, you might have better luck on some of the collector boards, like gunboards.com. Good luck with whatever you decide to do with it ...

Thanks for the advice. I hoped to make it functional, less worried about cosmetics, I just wanted to shoot the thing. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board. Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

[dblscale]

Thanks for the tips and advice, everyone. A broken arm (Friday) has back-burnered my Mauser project for now. I’ll post pics as soon as I can aim a camera. Thanks again to my TNGO friends!