refinish Bruno Mathsson Maria table  

Do not hesitate
If the table is perfect for you, buy it.
Refinishing costs can vary depending on where you are located, but with a price tag of $200, you can add whatever it costs to restore it, and it is still a bargain.
The Maria table is very well made and incredibly versatile. A great Mathsson design that commands very strong prices in good condition.
Just be sure it is a real one with the branded mark. There are vintage copies out there.

Pegboard
From you experience, do all the authentic Maria tables have the Mathsson embossing.

original?
Interesting...thanks for your post. I have an original Maria that my father bought himself to use as his conference table. Inoticed tghat the one I found seems to have sharper corners. I've seen other, much less well made versions of the accordian table, but didn't realize that someone has attempted to copy the Maria table. I only saw the about a foot of the end of the closed table at the shop and so I asm not certian (I'll see it again next week). The legs were identical to my own table and the proprioetor noted that the table was "very heavy". I'll report next week on the results...

Marked
Every real one I have seen had a mark or label of some sort (the marking changed through the decades, but most I've seen were branded). I have seen copies that were very close and even well made, but once you have seen the construction, and in particular the hardware, of a real one you can discern the difference. The thin bar that holds the table shut in the center with the metal tabs is the easiest way to tell if it's a real Mathsson.

Thin Bar?
Thanks for your post Pegboard. You say the thin bar is the best indication. Meaning, if it's there... how it's made...hardware, etc.? The one I've found has the bar. Do any of the repro's have it?