model 74

Big Faulky · 01-20-2008, 09:47 PM

i have a model 74 made in 1950. the gun needs to be re-blued and re-finished. this will be my first gun to attempt this with. i was wondering if this is a good gun to start with and if i will hurt the value of the gun. also i need a little direction on what type of stripping techniques to use on barrel and wood also what is the recomended type of re-finshing products to use. all help will be appreciated

win39 · 01-21-2008, 06:10 AM

I have seen these guns from $100 to $400 depending on the condition. To answere your question (Yes) anytime you change the gun in anyway it hurts the collectors value. If I were you I would go buy a junk rifle or shotgun and attempt the refinishing process. It sounds like you just want to learn, but to me a Winchester is the wrong gun to start with. (Just my oppinion) I went through the same thing years ago , and all I can say is I decided to leave that work to the pro's.

Big Faulky · 01-21-2008, 06:55 PM

thats about the same coclusion i came to. its not in bad conditon or anything and its one of my plinkers. i decided to look around the pawn shops today and figured i'd find somethin but couldnt find anything. thanx for the input. i did find a guy here that would re-blue a bbl for $65, on that particular gun, and his work looked real nice.

win39 · 01-22-2008, 02:30 AM

I'm glad I could help. I't must have been a pawn shop day because that's what I spent my day doing. The one pawn shop did have a 30/06 pre 64 model 70 but I think they wanted to much for the gun.

nathangdad · 01-22-2008, 08:26 AM

Personally, I would fix it up as I do not feel you are going to gain all that much holding it for future sale. For the stock I would strip it, use alternate coats of boiled linseed oil, drying, working with extremely fine steel wool pads, and then begin again to have a stock that is waterproof, looks like the natural wood, is smooth as glass, and if you get a scratch just treat the scratch with mor boiled linseed oil.

Bluing is something in a wide range from do it yourself kits to expensive custom jobs. I find it more difficult than woodwork but you can get a nice blue from a kit if you pay attention to the instructions and carefully follow them.

01-20-2008, 09:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Big Faulky Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Carhtage, TX Posts: 32	model 74 i have a model 74 made in 1950. the gun needs to be re-blued and re-finished. this will be my first gun to attempt this with. i was wondering if this is a good gun to start with and if i will hurt the value of the gun. also i need a little direction on what type of stripping techniques to use on barrel and wood also what is the recomended type of re-finshing products to use. all help will be appreciated

01-21-2008, 06:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Big Faulky Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Carhtage, TX Posts: 32	thats about the same coclusion i came to. its not in bad conditon or anything and its one of my plinkers. i decided to look around the pawn shops today and figured i'd find somethin but couldnt find anything. thanx for the input. i did find a guy here that would re-blue a bbl for $65, on that particular gun, and his work looked real nice. Last edited by Big Faulky; 01-21-2008 at 06:57 PM. Reason: add info.

01-22-2008, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,639	Stock work Personally, I would fix it up as I do not feel you are going to gain all that much holding it for future sale. For the stock I would strip it, use alternate coats of boiled linseed oil, drying, working with extremely fine steel wool pads, and then begin again to have a stock that is waterproof, looks like the natural wood, is smooth as glass, and if you get a scratch just treat the scratch with mor boiled linseed oil. Bluing is something in a wide range from do it yourself kits to expensive custom jobs. I find it more difficult than woodwork but you can get a nice blue from a kit if you pay attention to the instructions and carefully follow them.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-21-2008, 06:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
win39 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 201	I have seen these guns from $100 to $400 depending on the condition. To answere your question (Yes) anytime you change the gun in anyway it hurts the collectors value. If I were you I would go buy a junk rifle or shotgun and attempt the refinishing process. It sounds like you just want to learn, but to me a Winchester is the wrong gun to start with. (Just my oppinion) I went through the same thing years ago , and all I can say is I decided to leave that work to the pro's.

01-22-2008, 02:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
win39 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 201	I'm glad I could help. I't must have been a pawn shop day because that's what I spent my day doing. The one pawn shop did have a 30/06 pre 64 model 70 but I think they wanted to much for the gun.