I'd very much appreciate people's comments on what to do with a nice Winchester Model 94 in 25-35?

I won't ever sell the rifle, and don't wish for any of my heirs to either. The rifle was my grandfathers, and by the serial number, was manufactured mid-way through 1907 (A.D.!).

The barrel and reciever and all the metal is in good condition overall (little if any bluing left, but no rust either). But the stock, while in good condition structurally, has significant wear.

Do I "refinish" the stock or just let well enough alone? Again, I'll never sell the gun, but I also don't want to do something which will diminish the value of its antiquity, if that makes any sense.

The gun shoots well and has taken many deer. I fully intend to hunt with it from time to time, though it will not be my primary weapon for that purpose.

Again, thanks for the input!

friar

Just keep it clean and shoot it. That and start working on a following generation who will also cherish it and use it.

Hog Killer

No refinishing please, no matter how bad it looks.

Just shoot it once in a while to remind yourself that old guns are cool too.

I agree with Hog killer and 500grains, do not refinish.
Just use and cherish it as it is.
If the stock was unusable I would have a new stock fitted, saving the original.

I would suggest that you get another stock, nothing super fancy but a good stock. By doing this you will not be taking a chance of damage to the original. You can shoot it all you want and then when you pass it on or "retire the rifle you can put the original back on or pass it on.
Whatever you do, shoot that thing. You can really enjoy it when you get over the feeling that you are "wearing it out". You aren't and grandpa would approve.
Don't know about yours' but my granpa and my granddaddy never cared to own anything they weren't using reg'lar.
Frank

Leave it as is!

I once asked my mother why she didnt get all of the scratched and dings buffed out of her wedding ring? She answered that those were the memories that made the ring special.

Well I think it is the same with a rifle-stock, unless just screwed with. In this case the scrath may have been something your grandfather did, something that was a special time. It is the roadmap that makes it a special rifle.

Okay I am off the soapbox!

Thanks for the good advice, everyone--it was pretty much what I thought knowledgeable folks would recommend.

And the good news is that I will be able to pass it along, and I'm confident it will be properly appreciated, to my son or daughter. Until then, you can bet it will be shot every year, and every year it will make the trip to the North woods of Wisconsin!

Again, many kind thanks,

friar

I would even check out some of the cheap synthetic replacement stocks available and save the wood. I believe they make them for pre-64 Model 94s.

quote:

Originally posted by 333_OKH:
Leave it as is!

I once asked my mother why she didnt get all of the scratched and dings buffed out of her wedding ring? She answered that those were the memories that made the ring special.

Well I think it is the same with a rifle-stock, unless just screwed with. In this case the scrath may have been something your grandfather did, something that was a special time. It is the roadmap that makes it a special rifle.

Okay I am off the soapbox!

Agreed.....good replies all....leave it a piece of family history.