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model 54

abiggdan
I was wondering and hoping to get some input, I have a 1925 year made, Model 54 winchester, Chambered in 270 winchester. It was bought new by my grandfather. It has been custom stocked years ago but, the blueing is very worn.... no rust though. works and shoots great. i was wondering if i should reblue it... would it kill the value of the gun ? does it have any value ? I forgot to mention that the serial number is 35x only a three digit . your input would be greatly appreciated. thank you.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    The problem with rebluing it, is that once it is done, it can not ever be undone. Additionally, very few people (gunsmiths included) know how to properly reblue the old nickel steel barrels. Most of the time instead of being "blue" it ends up "purple".

    That old rifle is the way it is because of honest use... I personally would leave it as is.
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  • oneoldsap
    I do believe that if I had one of the first 359? .270s made , and it were grandpa's gun . I don't think I could sleep afterwords if I messed with it . That fact that it's not a collector gun lets me feel okay about hunting with it ! Every mark on that gun has a story !!!
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  • MP
    Because it was restocked it hurts the value for Winchester collectors but not necessarily for others.

    Many of the early 54's were restocked with different degrees of skill from utilitarian to great. The ones stocked by recognized master stockmakers can easily bring two to three times the value of an original 54.

    Pictures are about the only way to learn which category your rifle falls into.

    If you are unable to post pictures here you can send them to me at mjpetrov@acsalaska.net
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  • Rex Mahan
    why not find a correct stock and just clean it well
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  • abiggdan
    ok thank you.... i guess that i will leave it alone. my local gunsmith was trying to sway me towards a project.... as well as some income for him. i did not know that nickel steel blued any different than other kinds of steel.... makes sense though, now that i think about it. well thanx to all for the input.
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  • slumlord44
    Another vote to leave it as is and possibly try to find an original stock. As has been said before, you can never un-reblue it. I would also keep the custom stock with the gun. Family heirlooms should be preserved for what they are. Once you "restore" it, it is no longer grandpa's gun.
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