Then, I would begin the tedious process of re-bluing the metal, using Winchester’s original process. I told the customer I would disassemble the gun completely, strip the incorrect blueing and carefully re-polish the metal, straightening the edges, flattening the screw and pin holes, and re-marking the nomenclature on the barrel and tang with the correct text used by the factory. Also, because of this gun’s rare caliber, the value increases further to $17,500.00! All I could do was advise the customer that a quality restoration could minimize the impact of the shoddy work done before, and bring up the value. Had it been in “Very Good” condition, with 90% original finish, and had a letter of authentication from the Winchester Museum in Cody Wyoming, it would have been worth at least $14,000.00. Not bad for a gun that cost about $7.00 in 1894, right? Wrong. I had to tell my customer that the gun’s current value was about $1250.00. To an untrained eye, the gun may have looked ok, but it earned a “Poor” rating due to the shoddy refinishing. ![]() With a heavy heart I checked the “Blue Book”. The gun should have been worth a fortune, but because of bad decisions and sloppy work, it wasn’t. I nearly cried when I saw the 3-digit serial number that indicated the gun was made during the first 1-3 months of production by Winchester in 1894. The metal had been badly prepped and polished, the edges were rounded, screw holes dished, lettering nearly buffed off and the metal had been blued incorrectly. But I promptly noticed that the gun had been poorly refinished. It was a pre-1964 Winchester Model 94- in my eyes, a masterpiece. When I saw the rest of the gun my jaw went slack. As I unrolled the rug I spotted a crescent shaped butt plate on the stock, and my heart started beating faster. A few weeks ago a customer came to my shop carrying a gun rolled up area rug. I’ve seen some heartbreaking results in my line of work. The results of a poor decision can be very costly. Restoration of a gun can be tricky because of the potential impact on value. Once reassembled, you should have a great looking gun that reflects your taste and will be protected against the ravages of time. Gold leaf, engraving, or checkering can be used to further customize your gun. ![]() The stock can be finished with a thin layer of polyurethane, or it can be coated and decorated with Cerakote, paints, and even hydrographic designs. The wood would be stripped of its old finish any cracks or nicks repaired or filled. The metal parts can be restored to their original factory finish via whatever process was being used at the time that it was manufactured. It’s vital that the metal preparation is done correctly to preserve the original nomenclature, serial number, proof marks, maintain sharp edges, and retain sharp screw and pin holes. During refinishing, the gun is disassembled and cleaned the metal is polished and prepped. ![]() If you want to make it look new, or create a custom look, refinishing may be your best choice. A good cleaning can do wonders for the look of a gun in this category. If the gun has low intrinsic value, or if it has been mass-produced by modern manufacturing methods, your goal is likely going to be guided by your plans for the gun, it’s sentimental value, or how you want it to look. It is crucial to understand how each process would impact the value of your gun. This could range from a simple cleaning to repair, refinishing, or restoration. If the value of the gun is impacted by the condition, your next decision will be whether or not it needs improvement. Blue Book of Gun Values, published by the NRA, is my favorite resource. There are many reference books that rate the value of antique and modern firearms. Thorough research will help you know what you are dealing with, and will help guide your decision. Age alone does not determine value: condition, rarity, provenance and desirability to collectors all impact value. The first step is to determine the value of the gun. So, you have this old gun and you’re wondering, “Is it worth anything?” Should it be refinished, restored, cleaned, or left as is? The decision may seem daunting, but with good information you will be able to make the choice that’s right for you. H and r revolver parts.By Jim Majoros, President, Viktor’s Legacy Custom Gunsmithing LLC
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