A neighbor of my father's found out that I have done some refinishing on various firearms. Before I even think about it, I wanted to come here to see if this has any exceptional value. As the title states it's a1955 (serial number 2213###) and it's chambered in 30-30. The wood is in great condition for it's age and I would not be touching that. The barrel bands are almost white and the barrel is about 30% white. I can see pitting as well. There are some good sized scratches on the receiver. I suspect that this was a bit on the rusty and in an attempt to remove it, that's where the bluing loss occurred. I should have taken some pictures, but I only recorded the serial number to get it's age. Thoughts?
Winchester 94 1955 30/30 refinishing?
- Thread starter weasel1
- Start date
Good rifle but not rare by any means. I would refinish it if the owner is so inclined. Value with a first class reblue would be about the same as it is in original condition maybe a tad higher. I assume the owner is hanging onto it for sentimental value so no harm done in prettying it up. My 2 cents.
I would buy a birch wood cold blue kit and redo it.
If nothing Elsie , it will get a good cleaning and remove any small bits of service rust.
The cold bluing is cheap($50). And it will protect the parts and it don’t look to shabby.
Remember,$50 ish for supplies and a few hrs elbow grease.
If nothing Elsie , it will get a good cleaning and remove any small bits of service rust.
The cold bluing is cheap($50). And it will protect the parts and it don’t look to shabby.
Remember,$50 ish for supplies and a few hrs elbow grease.
Really?
I could see that happening with a post 64 as the metal is different than a pre 64.
It didn’t take to well on the receiver,( post 64)so I could see it coming off a bit.
Maybe it needs to cured more?
I couldn’t remove any with a white cotton cloth .
Good to know though
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The bluing I typically use is "express rust bluing" from PJ's. Really rich deep black and very durable. I'll have a chat with the owner in a bit and see what he wants to do, but I have a feeling that I have some work ahead of me!
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I do not know about cold blue coming off on hands, but I do know that Casey Birchwood "Super Blue" and Brownell's Oxpho "cold blue" will fade with time - like after 10 years, one here looks like it never had any finish applied - has never been hunting since I re-did it - mostly just standing in the gun cabinet.
I do have part of a bottle left of "express rust blue" also from PJ's - boil part in water - slosh on the juice - back into boiling - then card it, then boil again, more juice, etc. until dark enough for taste - then, soak in oil overnight to "set" it. That might be mixed up a bit - I do whatever the instructions on the bottle say to do. I do not have a "sweat box" - I would one day want to try the true old school rust blue. But, from what I read, "cold blue" is NOT rust blue.
I do have part of a bottle left of "express rust blue" also from PJ's - boil part in water - slosh on the juice - back into boiling - then card it, then boil again, more juice, etc. until dark enough for taste - then, soak in oil overnight to "set" it. That might be mixed up a bit - I do whatever the instructions on the bottle say to do. I do not have a "sweat box" - I would one day want to try the true old school rust blue. But, from what I read, "cold blue" is NOT rust blue.
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Even if they have surface rust etc?
At the end of the day it’s a $500 gun as is , put $60 - $100 it’s now a $650 -$750 gun.
I’d clean it up and do the rust bluing and keep it as a nice shooter. Only because it’s a pre 64
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Kinda, sorta my thought - if it was allowed to rust - then what was done (or not done) is over - is what you have now. I would be very disappointed to receive a firearm with obvious prior rusting that was "cold blued" - is not the same as micro-TIG filling pits, then polish, then real "re-blue" that matches up / blends with original stuff. Putting lipstick on a sow does not make it into something else - is still a sow - if well done job with the cosmetics, might be a "pretty" sow - but is still a sow ...
From what the OP said it is a family heirloom and unlikely to be resold so anything done to improve it's appearance is a win. A pre 64 model 94 carbine IS NOT a rare gun nor particularly valuable. Especially in well worn condition. Sounds like the present owner wants to preserve it and maybe use it so a refinish will not hurt. Not everything is about dollars and cents.
