Reblue/restock Winchester model 71 deluxe question

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pharmseller
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1005
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:17 am
Location: Willamette Valley, OR, USA

Reblue/restock Winchester model 71 deluxe question

Post by pharmseller »

I bought a loading gate assembly for my grandpa's model 71 deluxe. The stock is still a huge issue, so I bought the stock and matching forend on eBay:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/ ... 5a5b_1.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/ ... 0_1051.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w84/ ... r/3484.jpg


Not a deluxe, but at least servicable. A gunsmith I know has the plug screws for the extra holes on the receiver. The big question now: reblue or no? And if I reblue, polished or matte finish?

The collector's value is gone due to the "customizing" my grandpa did. The gunsmith recommends matte finish, because he says that a polished blue will make any and every surface scratch and nick stand out like crazy. Price is a consideration but not a huge deal.

Any suggestions?

Quinn
We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand, of overwhelming power on the other.

General George C. Marshall, 1942
20cows
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 2278
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:55 pm
Location: East West Texas

Post by 20cows »

Since there does not appear to be any factory marking on the left side of the receiver, I believe I would polish out the extra "engraving". On the old forum, the One Sticky has a thread discussing how.

Maybe someday we can get back to it.
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marlinman93
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Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 3:40 pm
Location: Oregon

Post by marlinman93 »

Here's my opinion.
I'd leave the metal as is. Just put the filler screws in. I'd send the new and old stocks to a good checkerer and have them duplicate the original pattern from the old stocks on the new ones. (first make sure they fit well!)
Then I'd put it together and just enjoy it as-is. If I did refinish it, I'd definitely do the std blue, not a matte, as a matte finish wouldn't make it worth anymore than it presently is worth. A good gunsmith wont have any imperfections showing when he repairs those boogers. And a rust blue wont show the welded areas either.
There's my .02 cents.
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