Most collectors will take a fine, nice bore over a messed up one. A "frosty" bore doesn't faze me, and you'd be surprised at how a shot out looking bore shoots great!
So, if you read the many assorted books, I think Jones stated that there are many types of collectors, some that could care less about the bore if the outside looks good and others that if the bore is even 'frosty" that they'll pass on it. I personally like a gun in as good as shape as I can get it, but like a gun with history. If it is a closet queen and is mint, that means it never saw action or was carried by a soldier, so yes, I love a mint gun, but given the opportunity to choose a 98% gun that costs $1800 and a $93% gun for $1200, it would be a tough choice.
Better quality overall equals more return on your investment down the road. But history is important to me, and a frosty bore (or worse) won't persuade me from a gun I want.
Ed
So, if you read the many assorted books, I think Jones stated that there are many types of collectors, some that could care less about the bore if the outside looks good and others that if the bore is even 'frosty" that they'll pass on it. I personally like a gun in as good as shape as I can get it, but like a gun with history. If it is a closet queen and is mint, that means it never saw action or was carried by a soldier, so yes, I love a mint gun, but given the opportunity to choose a 98% gun that costs $1800 and a $93% gun for $1200, it would be a tough choice.
Better quality overall equals more return on your investment down the road. But history is important to me, and a frosty bore (or worse) won't persuade me from a gun I want.
Ed