Winchester 1901 10ga restoration

[Chaz88]

I have a Winchester 1901 lever-action 10ga. I live in Iowa and was wandering if anyone knows of someone within a reasonable distance that is a specialists in restoration of this type of gun. It is mechanically sound, mostly looking for cosmetic work. Thanks for the input.

[TsocketslugK]

pm sent

[carpshooter]

Hope you are aware of the value of your Winchester ,it will drop if redone restoration is done to it ,unless it's real bad now !:eek:

[Lee Lapin]

Patina = $$$$ on a gun like yours. Maintain it, don't "restore" it.

lpl

[Chaz88]

Good points! Guess I did not think it through. I was sort of thinking that if it was professionally done it would not be a minus. But extend the life of it for many more years. It is not likely to be used again. I don't think modern amo would be safe and the original size shells are hard to come by. Is there a better way to maintain it, other than keeping it oiled?

[jaguarxk120]

You used the key word "Professional", many call themselves pro's but arn't. The real pro will tell exactly what everyone has said, don't touch it just maintain it as it is. Keep it oiled and stock waxed. Check the condition every so offten.

[oneounceload]

You might call Turnbull Restorations in NY and ask them their opinion. They are professionals in this arena and the work they do has typically increased value regarding the guns they started with.

http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/

After that, you can make an informed decision as to what the best course of action is for you and your gun.

[DG45]

Sure would like to see a picture or two of your 1901 Winchester lever action gun.

[Beentown71]

^^^Me too.

Beentown

[Chaz88]

Some pics of my 1901. The third one shows the original ammo belt with one of the brass shot shells. The leather pieces I removed from the stock. The small one was a felt lined cheek pad and the bigger one had a state of the art goose down filled recoil pad. That is appropriate since all it was used for was goose hunting. I have a few more pics if you want them.

[jaguarxk120]

From your pictures, the shotgun is in excellant shape for it's age. Keep it as it is. The leather pieces I would not put back on but have them to go with the gun. The leather can be treated with neatsfoot oil compound to restore the dried out oils. Right now it is very brittle and dry. The neatsfoot oil will restore the lost/dried oils in the leather.

[Chaz88]

I have decided you are all correct. I am just going to maintain it as is. I am a fourth generation owner of it. Hopefully there will be many more.

[DG45]

How cool! Thanks for the pictures. I love the gun, love the belt, love it all. I'd keep it together just the way it is is. Whatever battle scars it shows are from honorable wounds. If there's any little rust spots, I'd remove them by lightly rubbing with a well-oiled very fine steel wool pad until they were gone. Maybe I'd put a little neatsfoot oil on the leather too, and a touch of linseed oil on the stock, and certainly I'd put a little gun oil on the metal to keep future rust away. But to me, "restoration" is just another word for "ruination".