EmptyDub
Full Access Member
Bama, keep that thang!! Even if you're not interested in family history or heirlooms, keep it for future generations. Items that are kept in the family for that many years (especially w/ that much lineage & history) are becoming few and far between! Ask ALL family members that might know something about the history of the gun and WRITE DOWN names, dates, places, anecdotes, etc., and put in a folder that is kept WITH the gun!
Also, take it by a gunsmith (not just a hunting shop that sells guns) and see what they'll charge to restore it or what kind of advice they'll give you. It won't cost anything to show 'em the gun, and you might be surprised at how little it might cost. I recently had a Mauser 7mm bolt-action rifle from the late 1800's completely restored. My dad kept it hidden in the hot water closet, when a water line burst and rusted the rifle top-to-bottom. The stock had some mold on the surface, etc... it was BAD! Dad told me if I fixed, I could keep it. The gunsmith told me he'd completely refinish (parkerized it) the gun for $200 if I refinished the stock ($400 if he refinished that too). The gun turned out GREAT! I didn't really know what the gun was worth, but it was worth that much to me to keep it in the family. I ended up giving the rifle to my brother for Christmas (he's the hunter/gun nut of the family). The look on his face was definitely worth the $200 and even better- it'll be in the family for many years to come!
Also, take it by a gunsmith (not just a hunting shop that sells guns) and see what they'll charge to restore it or what kind of advice they'll give you. It won't cost anything to show 'em the gun, and you might be surprised at how little it might cost. I recently had a Mauser 7mm bolt-action rifle from the late 1800's completely restored. My dad kept it hidden in the hot water closet, when a water line burst and rusted the rifle top-to-bottom. The stock had some mold on the surface, etc... it was BAD! Dad told me if I fixed, I could keep it. The gunsmith told me he'd completely refinish (parkerized it) the gun for $200 if I refinished the stock ($400 if he refinished that too). The gun turned out GREAT! I didn't really know what the gun was worth, but it was worth that much to me to keep it in the family. I ended up giving the rifle to my brother for Christmas (he's the hunter/gun nut of the family). The look on his face was definitely worth the $200 and even better- it'll be in the family for many years to come!
