Old guns need restoring and identification

Vburggator · Aug 29, 2015

I have three old guns (Rifle, Pistol and a shotgun). I think the shotgun is unrepairable. Best I can tell:
Rifle is a Winchester Model 1873 (Marking include: Winchester Repeating Arms New Haven Conn USA Kings Improvement Patented March 29, 1866 Oct 16 1860..... Also 38 WCF, I think the serial number is 5570433.

The pistol is a Smith and Wesson 38 Special CTG.

The shot gun is a H. Pieper Shotgun Belgium in really bad shape.

I want to restore the guns...they where given to me by the father recently. Pictures below. If anyone know where I may can get them repaired/restored, please advise. I live in Southern Maryland area.

iH8DemLibz · Aug 29, 2015

Turnbull Restoration & Manufacturing Co.

Personally, I'd leave the rifle alone.

Looks to be in nice shape.

engineerbrian · Aug 29, 2015

Leave 1873 the way it is. Its a classic and looks great!

j8064 · Aug 29, 2015

iH8DemLibz said:
Turnbull Restoration & Manufacturing Co.

Personally, I'd leave the rifle alone.

Looks to be in nice shape.

engineerbrian said:
Leave 1873 the way it is. Its a classic and looks great!

This ^^^

Messing with the rifle would be like taking silver polish to a 19th century coin.
Let it be. It's earned its age.

engineerbrian · Aug 29, 2015

Double check the serial # on the 73. It doesn't match up on the list

http://gun-data.com/winchester_73.htm

iH8DemLibz · Aug 29, 2015

Would be 1901.

Maybe the OP typed the 3 twice.

ohen cepel · Aug 29, 2015

Turnbull as mentioned. He is not cheap though, depending on what you want done it may be $3k going up into the $10k's. However, his work is amazing.

I would leave them alone if they function and enjoy them as is.

303_enfield · Aug 29, 2015

LEAVE THE WINNY ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the Smith, replace springs and check/fix timing. Rattle can it or $90 Moly coat it. http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/350601935/m/6480024643/p/1

The double, I like to sleeve them or just leave them as wall hangers.

Vburggator · Aug 29, 2015

Thanks, hard to read the serial number on the Win...it appears to have a little surface rust. I like the idea of hanging the double on the wall in my an cave. Thanks.
Again thanks for the info.

Threeband · Aug 29, 2015

"Restoring" collectable guns is the quickest way to destroy their value.
Those guns don't appear to need any "restoring" at all. The rifle and revolver appear to be in good condition.

rfawcs · Aug 29, 2015

I would concur with everyone else, the rifle and the revolver may need a good cleaning but otherwise I would leave them alone. You should talk to Curtis Miller at Precision Gun works in Nanjamoy, 301-743-5483 about the shotgun. He cleaned up and repaired a Colt 1878 double-barrel shotgun for me and it looks a lot better than when I got it, and it actually functions now. I saw some rifles he restored that had been in a fire, what he did was magic.

jimbobborg · Aug 29, 2015

Soooo, are you planning on keeping that Winchester? :innocent0

engineerbrian · Aug 29, 2015

jimbobborg said:
Soooo, are you planning on keeping that Winchester?

I was thinking the same thing, i just didnt want to be to pushy with the new guy.

May i suggest that the OP buys a reproduction 1873 and puts that gem in the classifeds for us

Threeband · Aug 29, 2015

I'll give ya' a hunnert-fiddy for that junky old Winchester. Throw in the six-gun, and I'll add a ham sammich.

Drmsparks · Aug 29, 2015

Scott at Scott's gunsmithing has done some pretty awesome "no harm" restorations. There were some pictures on here of some of the work he did, although I'll be darned if I can find them.

By "no harm" I mean not re-bluing, not sanding, just clean, remove rust and pretty up the wood bits. That kind of restoration can only improve value as opposed to reducing it.

You need a guy with the subtle touch.

Baccusboy · Aug 29, 2015

Yup. Have Scotts massage a little oil into your bits.

hodgepodge · Aug 29, 2015

Drmsparks said:
Scott at Scott's gunsmithing has done some pretty awesome "no harm" restorations. There were some pictures on here of some of the work he did, although I'll be darned if I can find them.

By "no harm" I mean not re-bluing, not sanding, just clean, remove rust and pretty up the wood bits. That kind of restoration can only improve value as opposed to reducing it.

You need a guy with the subtle touch.

Scott in Glen Burnie cleaned up an old 1889 Marlin lever action, and some other guns, for me. He cleaned them, which is what you want. You do not want them restored.

I'd say it's worth the trip.

-Z/28- · Aug 29, 2015

Like the others said, leave that rifle just the way it is now.

Rick3bears · Aug 30, 2015

Yup. I tell my clients that restoring, rebluing etc., is a great way to have a "pretty" gun with no value. I just recommend cleaning, lubing, and a safety function check. I just finished a 1890's Stagecoach gun for a guy. He was disappointed that I wouldn't re-blue it, but when he got it back clean, and with the wood prettied up, he realized I was right. He now has a great "mantle" gun that LOOKS like an old original stagecoach gun.

SRD · Aug 30, 2015

That rifle is sweet. :thumbsup:

Old guns need restoring and identification

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