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Post by dcmayo311 on Oct 12, 2010 9:18:34 GMT -5
I have just inherited a 1907 with a serial number that dates the gun back to 1918. It has not been shot in 30+ years. There is significant pitting and rust, and the fore end is cracked. The gun is in an overall condition of "poor". I would like to restore this gun so that it can continue to be passed down. I was thinking about replacing the stock and fore end with Macon replacements. I would also like to get the metal components re-blued and an overall tune up to make sure the gun is in working order and safe to fire. Is this recommended or would you protest this action. I want what's best for the antique gun so that it will eventually be a family heirloom. All suggestions are welcome. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Daniel
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Post by Hardrada55 on Oct 12, 2010 10:23:12 GMT -5
Value for Winchester Self-Loaders is not very high. They aren't that common, but the collector interest is just not that high. I don't think you're going to spoil the value of an extremely valuable, rare and collectible firearm if you get your gun refinished. If you can't stand to see it in it's present condition, then get it fixed (up).
That being said, my prejudice for MOST vintage semi-auto rifles would be in favor letting them alone. I had a 1907 which was a brown gun. I bought it cheap, got the firing pin fixed and it was my shooter for many years. Now yours....with significant rust and pitting...and a cracked forend. Yours, if you were to sell it to someone else, would only be minimally valuable as a shooter, if it is able to do that. It's value to you is as an heirloom. So if improving it's appearance cosmetically (refinishing) would increase it's value to you, then go right ahead.
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Post by wsl49er on Oct 13, 2010 11:36:46 GMT -5
I'm a relatively new 1907 owner (purchased last year) Mine was in fair to good condition but the fore-end was cracked. This is typical of a lot of 1907 Winchesters. I opted to repair my original fore-end. If you are not a reasonable woodworker you may want to find someone who does stock repair or restoration. As to the rust a little bit of light oil and some extremely fine steel wool used very lightly (no pressure when rubbing) may remove some of the surface rust. Keep the oil off the wood. If you want to preserve the gun after cleaning or repair I'd suggest using Ballistol, it's non-damaging but very protective of wood and metal without the harmful effects of some oils. Can't tell where you are located but if you want replacements or repair there's a fellow near Ocean City, New Jersey, Joe Goldberg. I couldn't find the link. Does good stock replacement and repair work with all levels of firearms, including high end shotguns. He could repair your fore-end so it would be unnoticeable. You can clean the bore easily enough by breaking the gun down to it's two components.
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Post by kwasiemoto on Mar 31, 2011 11:49:16 GMT -5
I repaired my forend, which had 3 cracks, with a layer of 6oz fiberglass cloth and west system epoxy. It is now strong and shows no signs of distress.
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