Last night while having dinner with friends, the husband mentioned that he was looking to pass on his 22LR rifle to someone who would give it a good home. (They have no kids, and are mid- 70's.) Of course, I volunteered that I had just the home, and he brought out an old Winchester 52 and asked how much I'd give him for it. I've only seen a few of these over the years, and couldn't hazard a guess.
In the near darkness on the deck, I didn't get to read the exact model number, so I'm shooting in the dark somewhat until Friday, when we're going to the range to play. It does have a bull barrel, and peep sights. No noticeable rust, bore looks good, front sight is good, rear Williams sight is missing the peep hole (not a big deal I think). Did not have the original leather sling, but he thinks he has that stashed somewhere. Big issue is the stock is busted. Right under the bolt. Not all the way through, but pretty bad. (He told the long story - short answer is don't loan your guns to friends...) Does not look like the accident bent the barrel, but I want to check that more closely on Friday.
My quandary is what is a fair price to offer him for the gun? Having done a lot of antique furniture repair (the kind you sit on) over the years, I am 50-50 that I can repair this stock (there is a lot of splintering in the break). Will never look new, but would certainly be a lot better than now, and fully functional. I could always watch the known sites for a replacement stock. I saw a stock listed for $450 on one site this morning...
I thought I'd post this and ask for opinions and advice from the experts here. Yes, I do want the gun, if nothing else as a nice project for next winter. I also want to offer a fair price.
In the near darkness on the deck, I didn't get to read the exact model number, so I'm shooting in the dark somewhat until Friday, when we're going to the range to play. It does have a bull barrel, and peep sights. No noticeable rust, bore looks good, front sight is good, rear Williams sight is missing the peep hole (not a big deal I think). Did not have the original leather sling, but he thinks he has that stashed somewhere. Big issue is the stock is busted. Right under the bolt. Not all the way through, but pretty bad. (He told the long story - short answer is don't loan your guns to friends...) Does not look like the accident bent the barrel, but I want to check that more closely on Friday.
My quandary is what is a fair price to offer him for the gun? Having done a lot of antique furniture repair (the kind you sit on) over the years, I am 50-50 that I can repair this stock (there is a lot of splintering in the break). Will never look new, but would certainly be a lot better than now, and fully functional. I could always watch the known sites for a replacement stock. I saw a stock listed for $450 on one site this morning...
I thought I'd post this and ask for opinions and advice from the experts here. Yes, I do want the gun, if nothing else as a nice project for next winter. I also want to offer a fair price.
