Help - Some advice please

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   I’ve  acquired a 50 year old springer as a project gun. I plan to refurbish the internals by replacing the mainspring, seals etc etc so that it shoots like new one. What I’m unsure about is do I also get the appearance looking like new.
Back in the day I’d have completed the cosmetic work along with the internals so the the gun looked and shot like a new one. 
However it’s  been some time since I’ve worked on a project gun and I’m wondering if  I still do what I’ve traditionally done  and get it looking like a new one - or is the modern trend to give the exterior a clean up and retain the patina built up over 50 years of use.
Your advice will be very much appreciated. Thanks. Declan.

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Declan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Nov 2020 Location: North Island Status: Offline Posts: 86	Post Options Post Reply Quote Declan Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Help - Some advice please Posted: 18 Feb 2024 at 8:13am
	I’ve acquired a 50 year old springer as a project gun. I plan to refurbish the internals by replacing the mainspring, seals etc etc so that it shoots like new one. What I’m unsure about is do I also get the appearance looking like new. Back in the day I’d have completed the cosmetic work along with the internals so the the gun looked and shot like a new one. However it’s been some time since I’ve worked on a project gun and I’m wondering if I still do what I’ve traditionally done and get it looking like a new one - or is the modern trend to give the exterior a clean up and retain the patina built up over 50 years of use. Your advice will be very much appreciated. Thanks. Declan.

Pauly5 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Moderator Joined: 10 Mar 2013 Location: Titahi Bay Status: Offline Posts: 1410	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pauly5 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Feb 2024 at 9:15am
	Sounds like good fun. I've never done a refurbishment like that. I like seeing what others do, but personally, I have no problem with "patina", opting for performance, or correct operation. Making it look new again is quite an art. So I look forward to a new thread hopefully.

kruzaroad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2022 Location: Hastings 4 now Status: Offline Posts: 2283	Post Options Post Reply Quote kruzaroad Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Feb 2024 at 2:16pm
	From 2021 https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=188610.0

J-S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Oct 2014 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Posts: 425	Post Options Post Reply Quote J-S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Feb 2024 at 3:10pm
	http://www.kiwiairgunners.co.nz/forum_posts.asp?TID=653&KW=hw77 This was my biggest restoration, and it would have been cheaper to buy a new gun… Edited by J-S - 19 Feb 2024 at 11:05am
	J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many..

RangerPete Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2023 Location: Cambridge. Status: Offline Posts: 884	Post Options Post Reply Quote RangerPete Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19 Feb 2024 at 10:22pm
	Getting an old rifle back into good functional/shooting condition is always nice. Restoring it to original condition… personally I wouldn’t. You’ll loose a lot of its character, it’s “spirit” as we say in Afrikaans.
	Walk quietly, but carry a big stick.

nunga Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Moderator Joined: 08 Mar 2013 Location: Pukekohe Status: Offline Posts: 1009	Post Options Post Reply Quote nunga Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 2024 at 8:43am
	I would leave it as original and just clean.
	2nd place HP springer - WFTF World Championships 2014

J-S Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Oct 2014 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Posts: 425	Post Options Post Reply Quote J-S Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 2024 at 10:05am
	What is the springer? that may also dictate what route to go down...
	J S Airguns Air Arms TX200('s) Theoben Sirocco HW77 FWB 300s Webley Patriot One or two others... Current projects: Too many..

Mic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 21 Apr 2021 Location: Auckland Status: Offline Posts: 27	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 2024 at 1:12pm
	My wife deals with antiques and says leave it as it is

kruzaroad Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 02 Jul 2022 Location: Hastings 4 now Status: Offline Posts: 2283	Post Options Post Reply Quote kruzaroad Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 2024 at 1:25pm
	I think a good question would be are you planning to sell it? If so original would be best in my view as you'll never get the original varnish or stains they used 50 years ago to keep it original, probly differnt bluing as well, nor are air rifles a huge collecting market. If your keeping it, do it to what ever standard you want. It is at the end of the day an air rifle and if you want it looking immaculate for your own personal use, then make it how you are happiest with it.

Deano Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 10 Jan 2024 Location: Tasman Status: Offline Posts: 21	Post Options Post Reply Quote Deano Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 2024 at 3:55pm
	Personally if I was keeping it I'd "refurbish" but use as much of the original gun as possible. Nothing wrong with removing a bit of rust here and there IMHO.