Alright so I got a killer deal the other day and managed to snag a C.G. Haenel for $400 from a gun dealer who did not know what he had. It's a beautiful rifle built off of a 88 Commission rifle, chambered for the 8x57J cartridge (.318 bore) and is in rather good condition. The blued portions of this rifle are in rather good condition. Now for my dilemna, the reciever and magazine box/trigger guard were color case hardened and although it still retains a little bit of the blue hues, most of it has been worn off. I'd really love to get it refinished however I am unsure if it will lose value if it was re-color case hardened. Any help would be appreciated!

I definitely would NOT recase it. I know it has become a fad in the past few years to include new case colors when refinishing a gun, but case hardending/coloring a reciever is a world of differene from rebluing and refinishing the wood. There is nothing to be gained other than fragile colors that will wear off. Much could be lost. You are actually screwing with the molecular structure of the steel. THis is partly the anal mechanical engineer in me saying this. It definitely is not a sound engineering thing to do.

As far as value, for some reason Americans are hung up on "original condition" and pay serious premiums for it. Way serious premiums sometimes. For what you have, it is a great historical rifle and does not have a cult following over here that would seriously ding you if you go to sell it. And any of the "value" questions if you plan to sell it fairly soon. Are you going to flip it? If not, then don't worry about anything and do whatever you want.

those are REALLY cool rifles in my book!!! I would love to get one some day. Go ahead and refinish the blue and wood if she needs it and take her in the field.

Thanks for the info, you talked me out of it. I'm aware of what happens during a color case hardening but it kinda skipped my mind in the midst of either holding onto it or selling it. In all actuality I'd probably kick myself in the rear for selling it. Swear the thing was built for me a long time ago!
And talk about neat, you are very correct sir! The most interesting I thought was that it has a unusual setup for a rear peep sight, in that it's mounted to the bolt release and can rotate out of the way of the bolt if needed.
Hah, as for the original condition hangup, I've got a old Winchester pre-64 model 70 in 30-03 (it's a actual factory chambering oddball) that I was offered 8,000 for! I declined, it's a rifle that'll remain in the family as long as I can keep it with me.
Well thanks for the advice, think I'll hang onto it and go whack a couple of deer in September!