rsl@uunet.UU.NET (Roy Stuart Levin) (06/16/91)
My brother just purchased an old bolt action military Enfield style rifle in 30-06 which was made by Winchester and marked "Winchester of 1917". These rifles were purchased by NRA members after World War II as part of their membership promotion which I understand later featured M1s and M1 carbines. Anyway, a riflesmith claims it needs "slight" restoration in that it was stored in gun grease and he says some metal was deteriorating and some grease "soaked" into the stock. He want's $200 for a restoration. Is this way out of line? Has anyone seen any of these military Enfields around in Shotgun News or other price guides? I think my brother paid $100 for it and other than these blemishes in the appearance it is in excellent working condition. Anybody have any thoughts? you can post replies here or email to rsl@well uucp [MODERATOR: Run this by us one more time, real slow ... he's going to do *what* for $200 .... ? I've cleaned up a couple oldies that needed "slight" restoration at least at the level you've hinted at, and I think I have *yet* to pay $200 for materials, and I get the fun of doing it too. Don't fail to have a good 'smith check your oldies for safety and function, but for work on a stock like this, methinks you should shop around a bit.]
rsl@uunet.UU.NET (Roy Stuart Levin) (06/19/91)
I forgot to mention, regarding the restoration work on this 30-06 Enfield made by Winchester, that there was some rebluing to be done as some of the metal surfaces had some minor rust. So the bottom line is that this "riflesmith" wanted $200 for some rebluing and restoration of the wooden stock from soaked in oil or gun grease. Does this still sound way out of line? I appreciate the moderator's and other replies. I'm sending a copy of this to my brother who had purchased the weapon for $100. [MODERATOR: Hmm, sounds better than before but still not great. Now it more or less depends upon what manner of rebluing is to be done. I know that some folks will use a cold blue on just some spots -- better protection than nothing, I suppose, but generally not a nice as a hot bath for the gun. (To be fair, I've seen one bluing job, done cold on the whole shotgun by a retired tool and die maker --- my father --- that was produced a quality result. But I don't know how many people have either that experience or patience!) Can you fill us in on what he plans to do? Also, as a consumer, have you seen other work the guy has done, and do you like it?]
JCEHC%CUNYVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu (06/21/91)
In article <35801@mimsy.umd.edu>, decwrl!well.sf.ca.us!well!rsl@uunet.UU.NET
(Roy Stuart Levin) says:
#
#I forgot to mention, regarding the restoration work on this 30-06 Enfield
#made by Winchester, that there was some rebluing to be done as some of the
#metal surfaces had some minor rust. So the bottom line is that this
#"riflesmith" wanted $200 for some rebluing and restoration of the wooden
#stock from soaked in oil or gun grease. Does this still sound way out of
#line? I appreciate the moderator's and other replies. I'm sending a copy
#of this to my brother who had purchased the weapon for $100.
#
This is STILL too much, and besides, a Model 1917 Enfield should be
Parkerized, not blued. Miner rust, pits and dings in the stock are
signs of honest wear. Nothing looks more phoney than a completely
refinished 75 year old military rifle.
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MICHAEL F. GORDON JCEHC@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
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