To cut or not to cut... that is the question.

dfritter1

dfritter1

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So, I'm selling my Winchester 1897. Not surprisingly, since these things just aren't too common on the EE right now, most of the responses have been from cowboy action types that want to turn it into a CAS gun.

Here's the dilemma I have. The most common complaints about the gun is the inlay in the stock (it's not stellar, but lord knows how old it is) and the cost of the work required to turn it into a coach gun for competition. I, being pretty experienced with this sort of stuff, can easily cut the barrel down myself, thread it for a larger bead, lengthen and polish the forcing cone, give it a true 2-3/4" chamber, swap out the stock, etc etc. The only reason I haven't done any of this yet is that it has what I have to assume is a 30" factory modified choke barrel attached to a gun from 1913, and sticking something that old into my lathe just to hack it up seems like a shame... all that being said, I don't want the thing any more, and I don't want to give it away for a song and a dance.

So, I'm just looking for some thoughts from you folks. What's better; an old gun in original condition that gets dragged out to the skeet range occasionally, or an old gun that's been modified and enjoyed more regularly?
 
I think so many of these guns have been cut down that long barrel versions might become quite desirable. Short barrels are stylish at the moment, which may or may not last. If you do cut the barrel, threading it for choke tubes might not be a bad idea.
 
I sold a Remington double hammer to a fella a few years back, and he told me later that he had cut it down for cowboy action - I was DEVASTATED!!
BUT, I had SOLD the gun, it was no longer mine, it wss his and his decision.
That being said, if you are not going to use it for other than C.A., and want to keep it, maybe try and find another barrel?

Or cut it and enjoy it. People mod old cars all the time, and guns as well, with no problems sleeping at night, I wouldn't worry about it myself.
Sure wish I hadn't sold that Remington, but only because I decided i could use it later, not because the fella cut it down!:p
Cat
 
It is like any antique. If you want to keep it at it's max value. Don't alter anything.Collectors want them as originally supplied not reblued, wood refinished or tubes fitted
If you want to keep it forever and are not concerned with resale some day make it fit your needs and enjoy it.
 
you have it for sale, if you cut it you will reduce the # of buyers willing to buy. If the new owner wants to cut it so be it. Just sell it as is where is & let the new owner decide. You can offer to do the work on it after the sale, for a few $$ more. Aj
 
Personally I would leave it as is. There are a few around that are no longer original if someone wants to modify one. I could not take a hacksaw to an original 97, just don't have it in me. BTW, three 97's just popped up on the EE however they seem priced high though I think one has 2x or 3x wood.
 
Leave it. If you cut it then it is only desirable to CAS shooters. In unaltered form you might still sell the gun to someone who wants one in orginal condition and the CAS crowd could still cut the gun down after they'd bought it.

As you have the ability to do the work yourself you could offer a potential buyer that you will do the work to modify it to his specifications at only a modest extra charge. ;)
 
I cut down my model 12 and put on some iron sights. It stood collecting dust for years before I did. At least now it gets some use. It's only a few hundred bucks no matter how you look at it.
 
Cowboy Action Bubbas have butchered more vintage shotguns than you can shake a stick at. They aren't making any more 100 year old guns. There are replicas.
 
I personally would keep it the way it is. I don't have it in me to cut down a original 100 year old gun. I have older guns I have kept as original as possible.
If that was my gun, I would keep it the way it is.
But...... since its a take down model, find another barrel and chop that one up. Then you still have a original shotgun you can swap the barrel and have fun with it.
 
I would leave it alone and hope whoever you sell it to would do the same. I've picked a couple old ones up myself that are meant only for display at home. But that's the kind of guy I am.
 
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