Winchester Stock Finish
Bert,
I am Winchester Arms Collector Assn member no. 5210. David Kennedy has no information on restoration as he is interested in preservation. I see from your Board of Directors blurb that you enjoy historical research so I hope you can help me or offer guidance in whom to try next. I the interest or restoring antique Winchesters to period appropriate stock finishes, I have been on a fairly fruitless search. I have recently determined that many of the finishes were surface, not penetrating. That would make them lacquers as opposed to varnishes. I have found reference to the use of Herter's French Red filler and stain (newly manufactured). Watco makes a brushing lacquer. I will be doing some experiments to see how this works. I also read that the Model 70 had as many as 5 different finishes. Can you point me to anything definitive on the evolution of Winchester finishes, particularly '73, '85, '86, '92, '90, '03, '70, and '71?
I don't see any adds on the internet for refinishing or restoration by anyone who seems to know what they are doing.
I am Winchester Arms Collector Assn member no. 5210. David Kennedy has no information on restoration as he is interested in preservation. I see from your Board of Directors blurb that you enjoy historical research so I hope you can help me or offer guidance in whom to try next. I the interest or restoring antique Winchesters to period appropriate stock finishes, I have been on a fairly fruitless search. I have recently determined that many of the finishes were surface, not penetrating. That would make them lacquers as opposed to varnishes. I have found reference to the use of Herter's French Red filler and stain (newly manufactured). Watco makes a brushing lacquer. I will be doing some experiments to see how this works. I also read that the Model 70 had as many as 5 different finishes. Can you point me to anything definitive on the evolution of Winchester finishes, particularly '73, '85, '86, '92, '90, '03, '70, and '71?
I don't see any adds on the internet for refinishing or restoration by anyone who seems to know what they are doing.
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Does anyone know of a technique to bring back a worn finish on a mid 50's Winchester shotgun without doing a complete refinish? 0 -
Hello,
Unfortunately, there is very little recorded information about the various types of stock finishes that Winchester used over the many years. That said, the standard finish on all of the early models was hand rubbed oil (6 - 8 coats, carded between applications). The deluxe variants were often finished with what was referred to as piano varnish. I am not the right person to ask concerning the Model 70 (but I do know a few fellows who would know). Please contact me at Win1885@msn.com0
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