Small restoration project.

[Kev18]

I asked a few questions on the gunsmiths thread awhile ago so I decided to share what came out of my adventure here.
I always like my rifle but was never fond of the rust all over it. Then it accord to me that I could attemp and little restoration project.
Let me know your thoughts. Im not sure if il keep the light brown color or even the blued loading gate and mag cap. Maybe a darker brown could look better, Im not sure.

https://i.imgur.com/rhNzgTF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/U0cL0KW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/vQbHy4W.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/000AF8Y.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YHxw7D0.jpg

[45workhorse]

IF, it where mine I would keep clean, oiled, and fed a steady diet of cast bullets. Would not change a thing, just me.

[Kev18]

IF, it where mine I would keep clean, oiled, and fed a steady diet of cast bullets. Would not change a thing, just me.

Ya I do that already. Im just not sure of the color. .. Do you think a darker brown would be nice?

[veeman]

I wouldn't do a thing to it but shoot it, clean it, oil it, shoot it, clean, oil, ect, ect. Leave it be as is.

[Battis]

Many years ago I stripped and plumb-browned a repro Colt cap and ball revolver. I was the same way as you - I kept wondering if I really liked the brown. Eventually I restripped the brown and lightly blued it (cold blue) and it came out an antique looking gray/blue. Yours looks fine as is. It's all a matter of taste.

[Shawlerbrook]

Looks fine to me, unless you are going to go for a full on professional restoration.

[Kev18]

Im not a huge fan of cold blue. I know the finish you're tlaking about. I did it on my lever. For now two get a dark black on my hammer, levée and mag cap. I browned it lightly, then cold blues it. Also make sit hold better I find.

[Kev18]

Only thing I'm doing next is buffing out the barrel, then I should be done. And i dont even know when that will be.

[Kev18]

Looks fine to me, unless you are going to go for a full on professional restoration.

I might just do that. Looks decent now.

[Jeff Michel]

Depends a lot on what changes you implement and what effect it would have on any resale value on your firearm. I've sworn to never sell an awful lot of firearms over the years that for some reason or another suffered that very fate. If I modified an original firearm, I always got pinged when I peddled it. In my defense, I've re blued, cut dovetails in the receivers of .22 rifles, re barreled, restocked, refinished and about everything you can alter, I altered. I didn't care, to me, a gun is primarily a tool, if it needs adjusted in some manner to make it more practical from a user standpoint. I don't have guns that "sit" I use them all. Collectors are a picky lot and will undoubtedly consider my comments a blasphemy. Do what you want, it's your firearm but there will likely be a price sacrifice when of if you go to sell it. Just my opinion. Nice rifle by the way.

[Kev18]

Depends a lot on what changes you implement and what effect it would have on any resale value on your firearm. I've sworn to never sell an awful lot of firearms over the years that for some reason or another suffered that very fate. If I modified an original firearm, I always got pinged when I peddled it. In my defense, I've re blued, cut dovetails in the receivers of .22 rifles, re barreled, restocked, refinished and about everything you can alter, I altered. I didn't care, to me, a gun is primarily a tool, if it needs adjusted in some manner to make it more practical from a user standpoint. I don't have guns that "sit" I use them all. Collectors are a picky lot and will undoubtedly consider my comments a blasphemy. Do what you want, it's your firearm but there will likely be a price sacrifice when of if you go to sell it. Just my opinion. Nice rifle by the way.

I'm the exact same way. I change everything and with this rifle, I don't care about value. It's my first rifle I bought so il hopefully die with it.

[Wayne Smith]

Personally I'd put another coat on it if it will get rid of some of the yellow. But that's my opinion, and worth exactly what you paid for it!

[JoeJames]

I ain't ever been much in favor of banning anything, but I might consider it when it comes to grinders, sand paper, and varnish. I have seen some firearms that might have been quite high priced, if one or two of the previous owners had just left them be. Worst I thing I ever saw was a WWII issue MI Garand obviously owned by a feller with money burning a hole in his pocket. He had removed/ground off the rear sight assembly, removed the upper handguard, put a buck horn rear sight on it, and changed out the lower stock for a schnabel stock that ran to near the barrel end with an end cap. He had a table regularly at local shows, and we'd all go by to look at it and shake our heads. Dropped the value from say $1,000 down to what $150 maybe. The above restoration is certainly not near as radical as that one, just saying - be careful and think about it.

[Baltimoreed]

I used to see a rare Johnson Rifle made into a sporter regularly at the Raleigh show many years ago. Damn shame. Guess it finally sold, hopefully it got put back right by whoever bought it and didn’t get parted out. People do stupid things to historic firearms sometimes. When they do it gives us something to do. I’ve remilitarized two 1903 Springfield sporters in the last few years. They look pretty good now. To the op, I’d leave well enough alone. You have a nice rifle there, you don’t see them with half mags too often.

[Kev18]

Personally I'd put another coat on it if it will get rid of some of the yellow. But that's my opinion, and worth exactly what you paid for it!

Thats waht I was thinking, the light yellow or orange is what bothers me.

[Kev18]

I ain't ever been much in favor of banning anything, but I might consider it when it comes to grinders, sand paper, and varnish. I have seen some firearms that might have been quite high priced, if one or two of the previous owners had just left them be. Worst I thing I ever saw was a WWII issue MI Garand obviously owned by a feller with money burning a hole in his pocket. He had removed/ground off the rear sight assembly, removed the upper handguard, put a buck horn rear sight on it, and changed out the lower stock for a schnabel stock that ran to near the barrel end with an end cap. He had a table regularly at local shows, and we'd all go by to look at it and shake our heads. Dropped the value from say $1,000 down to what $150 maybe. The above restoration is certainly not near as radical as that one, just saying - be careful and think about it.

To you it might seem stupid, but maybe to the man that had the rifle it was the best thing that he ever laid his eyes on. To each their own. If you buy something it stays yours :)

[JoeJames]

To you it might seem stupid, but maybe to the man that had the rifle it was the best thing that he ever laid his eyes on. To each their own. If you buy something it stays yours :)I understand that, but sometimes I've had a feller's heirs drop by for my opinion on their daddy's firearms. It is kind of tough to explain that if nothing had happened to it, it would be worth so much, but now ... On that Garand it was a professional job, and he must have spent a chunk getting it done, but it was kind of a shame. Like you said, just my opinion. I took a picture of an M1 Carbine customized front sight at a gunshow a few years ago. It would be tough to restore it.

262148

[Drm50]

I’ve got several old Wins and Marlins that are brown patina. Excellent mechanical shape and bores like a new dime. Wouldn’t touch them for the world. I learned my lesson with a original muzzle loader. Gun had been painted to use in Thanksgiving pageants and I bought at church sale. Some of the ladies were in 80s and said they used it as kids in 30s & 40s. Anyway I took great pains to get metal separated from stock and the whole project in general. It was a signed gun from an Ohio Smith. Collector gave me $650 for it and told me he would have doubled price if I had let it be. He sends them to professionals to be restored, not refinished as I did.

[Kev18]

I’ve got several old Wins and Marlins that are brown patina. Excellent mechanical shape and bores like a new dime. Wouldn’t touch them for the world. I learned my lesson with a original muzzle loader. Gun had been painted to use in Thanksgiving pageants and I bought at church sale. Some of the ladies were in 80s and said they used it as kids in 30s & 40s. Anyway I took great pains to get metal separated from stock and the whole project in general. It was a signed gun from an Ohio Smith. Collector gave me $650 for it and told me he would have doubled price if I had let it be. He sends them to professionals to be restored, not refinished as I did.

I wouldnt tinker with anything if I would want to sell it. I have alot of rifles and I wouldn't touch them.

[Shawlerbrook]

Luckily, I love the looks and character of old, well used guns. Unless something has been abused or bubba’ed , I like to keep them as original. I have actually modified more new or newer guns than old, vintage ones. But I do agree, it’s your gun to do as you see fit. I do wish that all shade tree gunsmiths would live by Dirty Harry’s words....a man’s gotta know his limitations.

[Drm50]

I wish Bubba, the Gun Noid and the Artful Stock Carver would be caught and be sentenced to have their hands mashed in a vice with a cheater bar. Last seen headed SW in a puke colored YUGO.

[bisleyfan41]

It is your rifle, do as you choose. But since you asked, there is no way on God's green Earth I would in any way alter or change the finish of that stunningly beautiful rifle. You can't apply a finish to make it any better than what it is right now. That is a beautiful finish, earned through years of use and passing time. Just say NO!

Sorry for my beating around the bush and the vagueness of my reply ;)

[Kev18]

Luckily, I love the looks and character of old, well used guns. Unless something has been abused or bubba’ed , I like to keep them as original. I have actually modified more new or newer guns than old, vintage ones. But I do agree, it’s your gun to do as you see fit. I do wish that all shade tree gunsmiths would live by Dirty Harry’s words....a man’s gotta know his limitations.

Some people do ridiculous stuff sadly. Goes for alot of things in life.

[Kev18]

It is your rifle, do as you choose. But since you asked, there is no way on God's green Earth I would in any way alter or change the finish of that stunningly beautiful rifle. You can't apply a finish to make it any better than what it is right now. That is a beautiful finish, earned through years of use and passing time. Just say NO!

Sorry for my beating around the bush and the vagueness of my reply ;)

Thats not the original finish. I made it like that on purpose. Gun looked pretty bad before.

Here are pictures of rust that had been reduced a few years ago. I got tired of the remaining pits and rust eating the rifle. When AI got the rifle, It was terrible.
https://i.imgur.com/N5hWtU6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qVbuacx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jTXBg0m.jpg

[JoeJames]

I just heard the other shoe drop. Counselor you have just moved for a summary judgment and it is granted.

[Kev18]

I just heard the other shoe drop. Counselor you have just moved for a summary judgment and it is granted.

Alrighty then.

[sharps4590]

They're only original once. After that, anything other than a professional restoration, it simply becomes an altered rifle. Alter away...

[No_1]

Any modification other than the way it was originally manufactured makes it an altered weapon. Any restoration including a “Professional restoration” makes it an alerted weapon.

[Ramjet-SS]

It has some good look to it. A man and his rifle they are one in the same....a reflection of your self. Utility and function it’s your rifle do with it as you please. To some of us a rifle is more than just a value in dollars and cents. I own some nice guns I make them mine and I shoot them. Those who criticize this are way to materialistic. In reality investing in guns is a joke unless you have the rarest of rare you (will) can make much more in the market even today.

I like it but I would brown it more to a deeper rich looking brown and get rid of the streaks.

[northmn]

I do not run a museum so will alter a rifle on occasion. As to deepening the brown, check with a muzzle loading supply. I used Laurel Mountain Forge with good results.

DEP

[Wayne Smith]

I remember the pics of that rifle when he got it. It had absolutely no value and is amazing that it looks as nice as it does now. This has nothing to do with altering a collector grade rifle and everything to do with rescuing a pile of rust. I am hugely impressed. But I'd still deepen the brown!

Did you end up replacing the hammer or did you rescue it?

[Kev18]

Well boys... I couldnt look at it anymore. I had to darken the brown.
THIS IS IT! THIS IS THE COLOR I WANTED. Looks alot better to me.
https://i.imgur.com/4WpAuSK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/933F2hP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rr4XalL.jpg

[No_1]

Looks very nice. I guncoated a 50’s Belgium Auto 5 because it had heavy rust pitting and also refinished the stock/forend for better weather resistance. With a new spring kit she is now an excellent functioning, fine looking shotgun that I am not afraid to take out in the weather.

[Kev18]

Looks very nice. I guncoated a 50’s Belgium Auto 5 because it had heavy rust pitting and also refinished the stock/forend for better weather resistance. With a new spring kit she is now an excellent functioning, fine looking shotgun that I am not afraid to take out in the weather.

Nice, get them out where they belong. Outside!

[super6]

I saw the original pics you offered, That rifle was dead,or dieing. I commend you for salvaging that old piece! I would own it.

[Wayne Smith]

YES! That's the color I was imagining as well. Very well done.

[Kev18]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I didnt want to let it die or just let it be eaten over the years.

[Traffer]

IF, it where mine I would keep clean, oiled, and fed a steady diet of cast bullets. Would not change a thing, just me.

^^^^^^^^^^
It's beautiful...what he said!

[Texas by God]

It looks great, Kev18! Now brown that tang sight:-)

[Kev18]

It looks great, Kev18! Now brown that tang sight:-)

Yeah, I thought about it. I just wasnt sure about how it would affect the light reflection. I didnt want it to mess up the sight picture. I should do it tho because its starting to rust already.

[Baltimoreed]

Didn’t know the backstory so...I will reverse my previous suggestion. I like the plum brown also, did a couple ml’s that way. Looks fine as frog hair split 4 ways.

[Kev18]

Didn’t know the backstory so...I will reverse my previous suggestion. I like the plum brown also, did a couple ml’s that way. Looks fine as frog hair split 4 ways.

I find it gives it a nice look. Changes things up from seeing black guns everywhere.

[JoeJames]

I find it gives it a nice look. Changes things up from seeing black guns everywhere.It’s prettier than a speckled pup under a red wagon compared to a black gun. They certainly have their uses but are plumb ugly!

[Kev18]

It’s prettier than a speckled pup under a red wagon compared to a black gun. They certainly have their uses but are plumb ugly!

To each their own but still. I dont find a gun should rot away.

[BigEyeBob]

If you brown it and dont like it juststrip it and boil the metal parts ,they will turn black .Degrease first ,and make sure to oil it good after boiling in distilled water.

[Doolin-Dalton]

It's a nice looking rifle as is. Here is my .02 on this as I've done a few over the years.
1) The wood appears perfect, don't touch it and be very careful if/when you remove it.
2) Hammer and Lever appear to retain traces of original case color, leave them be.
3) Receiver color appears to have already been polished with a brown patina added, not sure Winchester ever had any brown like that? It's interesting but I'd prefer a blue or a blue-gray faded bluing.
4) Doing a worn blue-gray patina is pretty easy, using cold blue. Do a few coats, rub it down using 000 Steel Wool and then oil it. I've always preferred this because it is visually a good way to keep it looking original. You can get it to the point where it still appears to be the original bluing that has faded and worn over time, the nickel steel is protected and your rifle looks nice.
5) Going with a complete re-blue, Cold or Hot Bluing, this one will take alot of time to do it right, must make sure to use blocks when you are polishing your metal, keep the polished areas as flat as possible. You need to polish to some extent to make it a flat, new looking surface. If you don't, it is imho, not such a good look to have new bluing on top of old worn, nicked, pitted metal.

[.45Cole]

I'll throw in my $0.02 and it sounds like it may be contrary to the mainstream. *If it were mine* I'd decide whether it would get saddle use or just soft plinking use. If the latter, I would see about a Turnbull or Runniniron case color on the receiver and lever, and fire blue the trigger, hammer, butt plate, loading gate as well as the receiver screws. Might be able to french grey the screws for more contrast.

On most of the things I do now I have them engraved before the refinish (it's actually very affordable) but I'm not sure that engraving would be tasteful on this. If you want pics of the case/fire blue combo I'll post pics of my .45 BH I had done with engraving. Looking to complete all this and more on a 1893 marlin, just need to get the rifle first.

If you go this route please pm me pics of the completed gun, love me some levergun porn

[Kev18]

I'll throw in my $0.02 and it sounds like it may be contrary to the mainstream. *If it were mine* I'd decide whether it would get saddle use or just soft plinking use. If the latter, I would see about a Turnbull or Runniniron case color on the receiver and lever, and fire blue the trigger, hammer, butt plate, loading gate as well as the receiver screws. Might be able to french grey the screws for more contrast.

On most of the things I do now I have them engraved before the refinish (it's actually very affordable) but I'm not sure that engraving would be tasteful on this. If you want pics of the case/fire blue combo I'll post pics of my .45 BH I had done with engraving. Looking to complete all this and more on a 1893 marlin, just need to get the rifle first.

If you go this route please pm me pics of the completed gun, love me some levergun porn

I already did the rifle, with a browned receiver. I would of liked to get it engraved but no one here does that.

[bisleyfan41]

Thats not the original finish. I made it like that on purpose. Gun looked pretty bad before.

Here are pictures of rust that had been reduced a few years ago. I got tired of the remaining pits and rust eating the rifle. When AI got the rifle, It was terrible.
https://i.imgur.com/N5hWtU6.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qVbuacx.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jTXBg0m.jpg

I did not realize this had already been altered, so I take back my response. This actually looks pretty awesome now with the darker brown. And MUCH better than your before pics. Congrats on a fine old rifle that won't die in a pile of rust.

[Kev18]

Thanks :) if you want to see the rifle in action:
https://youtu.be/JGIUKchDspk