Model 1894 30 WCF serial number 28762

[tedmcgill]

Considering restoring my wife’s father’s Winchester 1894 and wondering if it’s better if I leave it the way it is. Also would restoring it deprecate its value. It’s low serial number 28762 indicates it’s really old. Any advice would be appreciated. It was manufactured in 1897.

 

[IronCanadian]

If it's safe and functional the way it is then leaving it will have more value than a restoration, typically, pictures of the rifle would help.

 

[okcorral1881]

Considering restoring my wife’s father’s Winchester 1894 and wondering if it’s better if I leave it the way it is. Also would restoring it deprecate its value. It’s low serial number 28762 indicates it’s really old. Any advice would be appreciated.

Are you sure of the serial number and/or the caliber?
OK

 

[9.3mauser]

Unless it's already been altered in some way I would leave it alone.

https://winchestercollector.org/dates/

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

It depends what you mean by “restore”. If you post some pictures you’ll get some good advice. An improper “restoration” is worse than being left alone in most cases.

 

[kamlooky]

Clean it, oil it up and leaf that old buzzerd alone.
It's made it this long and every ding, dent and scrub is a memory awf lore.

 

[tedmcgill]

I don’t know how to add a photo the serial number is correct

 

[Rugdoc]

I don't know what you might think it is worth, but you have to realize that there have been over 7,500,000 of those rifles made over the years, so even if you have a 1901 in "Dad's closet" condition, it is not particularly rare and you'll never be able to pay off your mortgage with the proceeds if you sell it.

It is generally considered a poor idea to start f**king with the wood and metal on a 119 year old rifle if it is still in unaltered condition.

But if you think it would be a good idea to sand the barrel and action down to bare metal and take some nice coarse sandpaper and sand the wood down until it shines, then paint the metal with black Tremclad paint and paint the wood with a nice high gloss Varathane wood stain, nobody will stop you but you'd hear gasps of horror on the Internet from Tofino to Bonavista.

 

[StoneHorse]

I would leave it as is. Any 'restoration' work will diminish its monetary value. Keep in mind millions of model 94's have been and continue to be manufactured. Just because it's old doesn't make it picticually valuable.

 

[Brutus]

Truth: if you touch it with any normal abrasive or paint you are most certainly going to devalue it.
Normal cleaning procedures only.
If there's surface rust to remove use 0000 grade steel wool and gun oil. If you are very careful you can cautiously remove the red stuff and keep most of the underlying blueing intact.

 

[tedmcgill]

I’m just going to leave it alone it’s in really good condition no rust I just wanted to strip the fore stock and butt and reseal it with linseed oil. The finish looks really dark. The rifle itself looks like it had a nickel plating originally. Needless to say I just wanted to get other’s opinions. Thanks for sharing always on smart a- - in the crowd but overall this is a great group always sharing valuable insight.

 

[marshall]

I’m just going to leave it alone it’s in really good condition no rust I just wanted to strip the fore stock and butt and reseal it with linseed oil. The finish looks really dark. The rifle itself looks like it had a nickel plating originally. Needless to say I just wanted to get other’s opinions. Thanks for sharing always on smart a- - in the crowd but overall this is a great group always sharing valuable insight.

Yes, this is the wise choice. A lot of nice old rifles have been buggered with " fixing them up"
I see a orignal henry that was buffed up one time, that took about $15000.oo off it and that was 40 yrs ago.

 

[sealevel]

if an old gun has sentimental value or is in good operating condition leave it alone ..but a good old restored operating gun is worth way more then a wall hanger