Gunsmithing Someone for gun restoration needed

[Trevor300wsm]

I think this is the most appropriate place to post this.

I'm looking for someone that does gun restoration. I have two guns that have alot of special sentimental value to me that id like to see about getting restored. They have both been in my family for a long time.

The first one is a V model 1962 Marlin Golden 39A. It is a lever action .22 that was my late uncles first gun. It is not in bad shape, but I'd like to have it restored to as close to "like new" condition. It does not have any rust on it, but the finish is pretty well gone. The wood needs to be refinished as well. It will need to be stripped down, and cleaned internally and externally.

The other one is a Remnington model 1894 Hammerless Double barrel shotgun with a Damascus barrel. This gun is very very special to me. It belonged to my great uncle Pete, who is the man that introduced my father to hunting and shooting as a child. Uncle Pete has passed on as well as my father back in 2008. There is no rust on the gun and the stock is in fair shape, but the Purdy style forend is a lil rough.

I'm not a wealthy person so obviously I can't spend tons of money on these two guns. I might even have to do them one at a time spaced out over a time period to be able to afford it. If anyone on here would be interested in taking on this job, or knows anyone who is in this field of work still, please let me know and I'll get in contact with you to discuss it further.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Trevor.

 

[jasonZ]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

I think I'd look close to home for this, as you would have to pay to ship em to somebody and it would have to be shipped to an FFL first for legality purposes.

I would probably suggest posting pics if you're interested in a hide member as they could probably give you a better idea of cost with actually seeing the guns in question. It sounds as if they would need reblued and probably have the stocks refinished. I guess the other thing would be if they are blue or if they have some other type of finish on them? I personally don't really do this, but I have a friend (smith) that does reblue and refinish wood. He could also repair/clean any internal items, but he is about the only smith around here so he stays fairly busy with things. Plus it is his part time job, as he is a full time fire fighter.

All in all I'd make sure to speak to who ever you choose to get an idea if this person is who you want to trust with your family heirlooms! I'm not saying a hide member would rip you off or anything, but different people have different taste/ideas of what someone is thinking about. Goodluck

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

Yes, both guns would need to be re-blued and wood refinished. I assure you that I would be speaking with whomever was going to be doing it in detail.

As for local, there isnt anyone, that I'm aware of.

 

[jacq220]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

Post some pics. I have done many restorations, and they all vary in cost based on the condition of the gun. would say you would be lookin at around 450 for the marlin, and 600 for the shotgun. the reason the shotgun is more expensive is it is most likely a rust blue for the refinish and not a hot blue.

 

[LRI]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

If it were me:

Contact Horizon Machine in Sturgis, SD.

The Mac brothers have a smith on hand that specializes in high end double gun/shotgun work. (think $30K + guns)

Mark is a good guy. Former stock maker at Dakota Arms, guild member, etc.

He can do it right all the way.


Not sure if they would be willing to take this kind of thing on, but it never hurts to ask.

Good luck.

C.

 

[trilogymac]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

Turnbull does good work as well. They did a complete restoration on an old Ithaca double for me and it turned out great.

Hope this helps.
Trilogymac

 

[DMann]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

+1 for Turnbull. Champlin Firearms, Inc. is in Enid, OK - might inquire of them also: http://www.champlinarms.com/Default.aspx?tabid=28

 

[gunnergirl81]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

I hate to be "that girl", but I just can't hold back on this.

Great Uncle Pete lives in the marks, scracthes, dings, and blemishes on that double. When you touch it and feel the features of these imperfections you reach back and touch the hand of the man you loved. Erase them and you erase some of the signs of the mans existence, and lose a bit of his memory. New guns and new memories are easy to make with those still here. But the oldies, carried by those we cherish who have walked on, are all we have left, and are not replaceable.

Please consider what you are thinking of doing. Preserve them, and the memories of the loved ones who once held them. You only stand to lose here. You will not increase their value, you will only lose the memories.

Sorry. My $0.02

 

[671RTO9513]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

Kenda

You are absolutely right.

Gun restoration done properly is EXPENSIVE.

Why spend all that money to cover those memories? Every one of those marks has a story.

Haven't you ever looked at an old hunting rifle and wondered how a particular ding got there?

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

ah my mistake, I thought the functionality was the only issue.

If you only wish to make them functional, sure, send to a reputable smith.

If they have memories - leave em alone...

My marlin Mod 60, bought almost 30 years ago, has a broken trigger guard where it screws into the stock - still shoots fine though with that Tasco 4x scope...wouldn't fix that now...

When the buffer cracked and it didn't shoot - then it got fixed..

 

[Trevor300wsm]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[seanh]

Re: Someone for gun restoration needed

I understand the want to do this but think long and hard about it. I've seen people almost in tears because the refinished job turned the pride and joy into just another used gun. though it looked good, now it had no personality...the soul was gone.