Refinish Win 1894 or not

freddyfour

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I have an old SRC 30-30 that I have been contemplating refinishing the stock. I believe it was from the 20's and is in good shape. I know a lot of guys say it will ruin any collectors value but the tang has already been drilled. So any collectors value is long gone right?

Thoughts??

Anyways nothing is worth talking about if you cant see some pictures too:D

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Generally speaking, original finish is always more valuable than refinished. If it is a 90 year old gun, I'd prefer to see it as is, not improved. That is not to say, you shouldn't take the foreend and butt off and give them a thorough Boiled Linseed Oil rubdown. If you do that once a week until spring, you can't go wrong.

The post war, commemoratives and post 1964 models are sort of more expendable. The holes in the tang could be filled with blind screws and the patina matched patiently. It is not as tragic as you might think.
 
I have an old SRC 30-30.... I know a lot of guys say it will ruin any collectors value but the tang has already been drilled. So any collectors value is long gone right? Thoughts??

It's up to you, especially if you don't care about the value. I really like those Winchesters from the 20s, barrel band in front of the sight and flat stock. If you give us a partial serial number we'll give you the exact date, if you don't have it. Weather you keep it as is (honestly it doesn't look to bad) or refinish it, it will go good with your 3-4 other levers.
I got a similar one from 1921 that has been refinished in the 50s. Not exactly what I would have chosen but I like it anyhow!
OK
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I found a part bottle of Kirkland fish oil gel pills out in the shop.
Pricked one end and hit the stock of one of my Marlins.
Dang it if it didn't purrty that gal up.
Just watch out for bears sneaking up on you......... : D
Oil her up and go.
 
As long as you don't care about the value, go ahead and make her look purdy. A pretty gal is alway much eazier to look at. I don't care much for the no so good looking ones. It's fun (for me anyway) to do the best I can on restoring the finish. Remember she's your's to have and to hold until you see fit otherwise.
 
In that case maybe you can install a nice sight (if you decide to leave it as it is) and it would resolve the hole problem!

I have often thought about that, what does a Lymans tang sight go for?

Leave it. Its worn from good use and it looks great as is.

It definitely still looks good the way it is.

As long as you don't care about the value, go ahead and make her look purdy. A pretty gal is alway much eazier to look at. I don't care much for the no so good looking ones. It's fun (for me anyway) to do the best I can on restoring the finish. Remember she's your's to have and to hold until you see fit otherwise.

That's why I am thinking of doing it, I really like spending the time to refinish stocks.
 
Some people like new, refinished classics, some like old paint. I'm one who likes patina... If you could find a vintage tang sight somewhere it would be a real purdy vintage shooter, but it sounds like you're one that likes new paint.
 
Some people like new, refinished classics, some like old paint. I'm one who likes patina... If you could find a vintage tang sight somewhere it would be a real purdy vintage shooter, but it sounds like you're one that likes new paint.

I like both new and old, I guess maybe it's because it's winter and I need something to do to amuse myself.
 
I think you guys have talked me out of it..............I feel a bit of relief about it actually. Perhaps I will strip and refinish the nasty looking stock on my Rossi 92 instead
 
Can someone that has a Lyman tang sight tell me what the screw spacing is. It looks like the new ones use the tang screws? The holes drilled into my are spaced at 1.49"

Thanks
 
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