Restoring grandpops rifle

nocternal

nocternal

New member
I'm lucky to have my grandfathers marlin 30-30 with octagon barrel made around 1910. It looks like a well used gun from that era,back when they more of a tool then a toy. It's in fine shooting condition but has a little rust and character . Would you get it restored or would that ruin it?
 
Other than lightly/gently removing any rust, leave it alone and keep it oiled...It will last for another hundred years....

My first Deer hunt was with one that sounds identical...Shot really straight and well balanced....
 
The more you strip away the less grandpop you'll have left in the rifle. Just keep oiling it and making memories with it.
 
Gotta agree - refinishing it and removing that character would ruin it for me if it was from my family. Will most likely reduce the monetary resale value also.
 
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Originally Posted By: Mike BGotta agree - refinishing it and removing that character would ruin it for me if it was from my family. Will most likely reduce the monetary resale value also.


Unless it's in really really tough shape, refinishing it will reduce monetary value by about 50%. Antique guns are supposed to look like antique guns, unless they were safe queens.


I'd clean it up a little, oil it down good, and keep it as is.
 
Good advise above. They are only original once. Use a good rust preventing oil and remember your grandfather had that rifle in his hands as a young man out on his hunts. It would never be the same refurbished.
 
I have been through this dilemma countless times. If the antique value is significant, then you will likely not want to restore it. If is in pretty sad shape, the collector value will be greatly reduced.

If you want it for an everyday shooter that the grandkids will appreciate, then restoration becomes more appealing by someone who knows what they are doing. Here are a few examples of what can be done. Of course, if you prefer the old "rust bucket", then don't look at the following photos.





This gun was restored to this.
 
I've never understood people with the logic of leave it alone. I won't own a ragged, ugly gun. With that in mind more often than not I've had guns refurbished.

Look at the value of the gun. Find out what it's worth in it's present state. And then see what it costs to have it restored.

If you want to have it refurbished weigh the value before jumping in. A gun refurbished by its maker will have better value than a gun refurbished by Fred Smith the local gunsmith.
 
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Quote:I've never understood people with the logic of leave it alone. I won't own a ragged, ugly gun. With that in mind more often than not I've had guns refurbished....First, nothing has been said about the firearm in question being ragged or ugly....It's just his grandfather's...Quote:It's in fine shooting condition but has a little rust and character ....If the interest is in sentimental value, it shouldn't be touched past a good cleaning....Since it's a circa 1910, it's a classic, just by itself, so refurbishing may cost a bunch in value to another collector...

If you just want a 'pretty' firearm that has no real personal value or history, then consider a good, professional, restoration project...

I recently acquired a 1946 Remington .22 pump rifle that belonged to another member's grandfather...It has minor bluing wear and a couple of small dings in the stock,,,,Shoots lights out with every ammo that I've put through it...I can refinish the wood and it will cost me approximately $200 for a professional reblue job,,,If I choose to go that route, it will be for something extra nice to hand down to one of my grandkids, rather than selling on the open market as the restoration will not increase the value much above what I could get for it now in the current market...
 
Originally Posted By: OldTurtleIf you just want a 'pretty' firearm that has no real personal value or history, then consider a good, professional, restoration project...



I disagree, I have my uncles Python that he carried while he was a LE. It was sent back to Colt and refurbished about 9 years ago. Just because the gun was refurbished it hasn't lost anything. If anything I think it's a fitting tribute now that it has been made factory fresh.
 
Originally Posted By: joedOriginally Posted By: OldTurtleIf you just want a 'pretty' firearm that has no real personal value or history, then consider a good, professional, restoration project...



I disagree, I have my uncles Python that he carried while he was a LE. It was sent back to Colt and refurbished about 9 years ago. Just because the gun was refurbished it hasn't lost anything. If anything I think it's a fitting tribute now that it has been made factory fresh.


I would also have to agree with joed. I restored a Winchester Model 12 pump with a 2 barrel set for my mechanic friend last year shortly before he and his wife passed away. His oldest son inherited the shotgun, and he has turned down offers of $4,000+ for it. The gun isn't worth that much to a collector, so it must still have considerable sentimental value. The fact that the shotgun looks way better than a new one might have something to do with that too. This old Winchester not only looks good, but it is way more pleasant to shoot with the new Limbsaver recoil pad.

My friend knew he had terminal cancer when he asked me to restore it.
 
"Will I be glad I did it? Or will I wish I hadn't?""
"What would I advise somebody else to do?"
I've "refinished", and seen others do the same.
That's why I have to say, quietly, don't.
You can always ring that bell later. But you can't un-ring it.
 
More important than the gun, put a picture of grand pop on the TV or other place that you will remind you of the sacrifices that he made to bring up your dad, uncles, etc.

Try and make him proud in the way you live your life and the man you have become.
 
Sodak Jim, I might have to rethink my comment on leaving the gun alone. That model 12 looks REAL NICE, I have my dads model 12 16-gauge that is in 90%+ condition, but that gun you redid for your buddy looks sweet.
 
A model 12 in 90% condition may be better left as is. This model 12 was about 50% to start with, so there was little doubt that it needed some work done. It looks more like a Browning now than a field grade Winchester. It's very difficult and time consuming to remove a lot of deep pitting and corrosion without altering the original contours of the gun. if it wasn't for the fact that it was for a good friend, I doubt I would have taken on the job.
 
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