Old guns need restoring and identification

hodgepodge said:

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.


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Thanks for posting that picture. That's exactly what I was talking about.

Super pretty rifle.

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.

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Scotts is pretty much backed up now with work, unless something has changed in the recent weeks.

Id do a light oil up and a wipe down and linseed oil on the stock and be done with it.

You are lucky to have a real 1873

lee2 said:

Scotts is pretty much backed up now with work, unless something has changed in the recent weeks.

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FYI, I work a couple days a week for Scott...mostly counter work, sales, submitting paperwork to MSP, etc.

Basically Scotty has had a 6 week - 2 month backlog for quite a while. However, sometimes someone gets a job done quite a bit more quickly if they have something similar to other work he has. For example, when he is threading barrels he will often accumulate several jobs then set up and knock 'em all out at once. If you were the last one in the group, you might only have to wait a week or two or three. Same kind'a deal with installing recoil pads...he will usually accumulate 3 or 4 or more and knock them all out at once. In fact, when I was just a customer there, I had a recoil pad job knocked out in 2 weeks...he had three other jobs ready to go in a couple weeks and told me if I got my gun in there immediately so he could get my recoil pad ordered, it might only be 2 or 3 weeks. I got the shotgun in the next day and it was under 2 weeks as he knocked it out with the other recoil pad jobs. That was a year and a half ago and he was basically backlogged about 6 weeks then. FWIW, he will also try to push small jobs out faster for those getting ready for hunting season or a competition but doesn't make promises very often except for very cut and dried work. The OPs firearms will probably fall under the 2 month backlog because Scott will almost certainly do the work himself and he doesn't just do a generalized cleaning, he will do a complete teardown to the smallest parts and clean. Also, if they were to need parts, because of lack of availability, it could take longer than 2 months as we would have to search for them or Scott might have to make them. However, if you're not in a hurry, he is meticulous and excellent. But do be aware it COULD well be 2 months.

As stated, Scott doesn't do refinish work. Scott did some refinish work in the past, but there are many specialists in this today, most people don't want to pay the price for fine finishes, and he is backlogged with other work anyway. However, I have personally seen old firearms come in looking nearly trashed, some with fine orange rust on them go back out of the store not only well cleaned, but looking like the orange rust never happened.

Bring the guns in and have him look at them. He may even give a quick evaluation as to functionality and offer suggestions. Call before you come to ensure he is there (he is off on a weeks vacation soon and has taken a day or two off now and then to help his mother out or other personal issue). FYI, for those who worry his impending vacation will delay their work further, Scott will often work when the store is closed on Sundays and/or Mondays. He tries hard to keep the backlog under 2 months.

There aren't many good competent gunsmiths around. There are several who do basic jobs...scope mounting, sight replacement, etc...but few who are true gunsmiths in every sense of the word.

Store Hours are : 10 - 6pm Tuesday - Friday, 9am - 5pm Saturday. Because of paperwork (and we try to always do it before leaving for the day) please arrive at least 1/2 hour before closing if at all possible. Not only must we gather your info for the obvious reason of contact info, but even just bringing a gun in for cleaning, repair or upgrade requires entry into our ATF books we maintain for Gunsmithing. As previously noted, we are closed Sundays and Mondays.

Scott is definitely worth the wait.