Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Determine the condition of the antique musket, and if it is truly an antique; an antique gun dealer should be able to help you with this-and they can be found in the phone book.
Figure out what the extent of the restoration will be. A restoration could be defined as rebuilding or replacing parts of the antique musket using replacement parts or ones that have been cast in the manner of old, antique musket parts. Companies such as The Rifle Shoppe specialize in custom cast replacement parts.
Examine the musket carefully. Does the antique musket need only minor parts such as ramrod furrels, nosecaps, or another part that does not impact the style or importance of the antique musket? Or does it require more detailed restoration, such as the patch box, a signed barrel and more.
Repair an original part of an antique musket that's cracked, or replace a small missing piece-these repairs can be considered minor. Stretching the barrel or stock would be a more involved or even major repair.
Do not attempt a complete re-creation of an antique musket by yourself. As the antique musket would be recreated from whole cloth, so to speak, based only on the knowledge of antique weaponry, this would require the skill of a gun expert.
Look for a restorer who specializes in your musket's type. This is important, as gun restorers will work only with the guns with which they are familiar. These can be found in the phone book, or by going online. The value of your antique musket depends on the work of the gun restorer you choose. Be sure to take your time finding someone to do the work for you.
Inform any potential buyer of your antique musket if any repairs or restorations have been completed. As Ronald G Gable said, "Very few 'all original' arms survive as many firearms were altered even within their periods of use". If the restoration of your antique musket is done properly, you will find that your antique musket "will have a value relatively close to that of an 'all original arm.'"