Model 1897 Winchester Pump

[OakArm]

Had a model 1897 winchester given to me in rough shape and would like to restore it. Have no gunsmithing skills as of yet. Does anyone have any suggestions who would do a good job on it. Will post a pic soon.

 

[straightshooter]

How much are you willing to spend? You can buy one in mint condition for around $600.

 

[M12shooter]

Had a model 1897 winchester given to me in rough shape and would like to restore it. Have no gunsmithing skills as of yet. Does anyone have any suggestions who would do a good job on it. Will post a pic soon.

Salvaged my 97 from a barn in Saskatchewan 20 odd years ago. Farmer sold it to me for 24 pack of Bohiemian beer. Wood was almost black with decades of dust and grease on it and the metal was completely covered with a smooth layer of rust and dirt.

As a winter project I stripped down the gun completely and removed all the lumber. Cleaned the metal with brake cleaner and buffed all surfaces to a light silver patena. To my suprise no pitting had occured. Local giunsmith re-blued to a slightly brighter than factory finish and buffed all bolt/action parts like new. Also opened up the choke to a "light modified"... as he said.

Cleaned stiock and fore end with soap and water. Later bleached stock several times with alcohol as per instructions from an old O'Connor book in my personal library. The stock looked absolutely stunning when hand finished with tung oil and hours of rubbing. Any grease stains that remained only added to the character of the wood.

Gun looks almost new in box as I'm sure when I got it it had never had a hundred rounds through it but was terribly neglected. Wish I would have had a before pic but those were per digital days! Whole project cost about 200 bucks...a bit of money 20years ago.