1893 Marlin…..should I or should I not

[Royzo]

Picked up this 1893 Marlin and it functions/shoots great. I’m trying to decide how far I should go with cleaning it up and possibly redoing the bluing. Not something I normally like to do to an old rifle but I’m thinking this one is border line. Not sure if redoing this one will hurt any value. It’s definitely not a collectible by any means. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Any

 

[porpoise]

I have a few 93's, never payed a lot even for a pretty nice one, do what you want with it, they are nothing special except for how much I like them, plus yours looks relatively like crap, although you know how much there is to like about it

 

[Arcosdad]

Super cool old piece. If it were me I'd work the metal over heavily with wd40 and fine steel wool first. Take off all surface rust and freckling. See if you end up with a nice patina, not as patchy. Maybe that would look more authentic than a bright blue.

 

[struff55]

lightly with wd40 and 0000 steel wool if it starts shine you have gone to far
other than that a proper restoration costs more than its value
please do not use cold blue

 

[HuskyDude]

Depends if you're gonna keep it or maybe some day sell it.
If it's the latter of the two, I would just clean it up a bit so it functions properly...
And that's it.
But if you're gonna keep er. I'd restore it!
Found a Win 94 that was neglected to say the least, could hardly move the lever.

Here's how it turned out, Love this old girl!

 

[boxhitch]

more important is to check the bore and the headspace, that will tell if its a shooter or not
I have one 1893 thats older looking but a more even finish, with some rust in the bore and a very slight bend to the 26" barrel but it still shoots...
good enough

 

[kamlooky]

Soak it in Fluid Film, wood too.
Let it soak overnight.
Tackle it with oooo steel wool and see what you end up with.

Great old rifles.

 

[Royzo]

Mechanically and bore wise it is great. Quite accurate considering my old eyes and that fine front sight. The chamber needed a real good brushing out. Now it feeds and ejects perfectly. Should also mention that it’s a 25/36M.
Think I’ll do a real good steel wool job and see how she looks. Can’t see any case colors or bluing at the moment.
Just wicked neglect and not much shooting over the years.

 

[Cteve]

Choooot it!!!!

 

[450yukon]

Fairly uncommon find in the 25/36 and with limited collector value in its present condition but shooting good I’m pretty sure what I would do. 32/40-1906.

 

[JoshPeters]

I would clean it thoroughly if I were you, unless of course you're doing it for yourself.

 

[fingers284]

I love old guns in their "working cloth's" leave the ol' girl as is and shoot her to your best ability.