So someone might buy a restored figure, but for less.
My concern was that with some antiques if you restore them the value completely plummets. Pinball machines I believe are one example.
M.
I wouldn't say that that's a hard and fast rule. First of all, it depends on the condition of your toy soldiers and how much paint loss and other wear or damage there is. From what you describe, it sounds like you're not going to lose anything by restoring them or having someone do it. A picture would help us give you more specific responses.
Second, as Al noted, if you're planning on selling your figure, or getting it insured, or involving it in any other kind of transaction where someone is going to give you money or insure the value, you want to identify the figure as restored.
And as Mike noted, there is a market for restored figures. There has been, almost since the original hollowcast era. People modified off-the-shelf figures back then, too. Those people make up one of the sources from which today's hobby of military miniatures arose. There are vendors who sell parts to restore figures, like old Britains, for example. If you have Britians, I recommend looking for such a vendor, and I'd make sure he's licensed or otherwise approved by Britains to sell the parts.
London Bridge Collector's Toys in Emmaus, PA is one such vendor. Other current makers provide parts for some of the other hollowcast brands. johnnybach can speak to some of those brands and sources for replacement parts. There are many among us who like to paint, or cast and paint, who like to restore old hollowcast figures.
If you would, please, I'm sure we'd all like to see some photos of your find, and if you work on them yourself, we'd certainly like to see your work.
Prost!
Brad
