Fellas:

I have a .50-100-140 that letters as a 50-100-450, octagon barrel, full magazine, takedown, checkered stock with pistol grip, shotgun butt. Made in the 1890s. The wood is fancy and in wonderful shape. The problem is all the metal has been reblued. And, it is not that good of a job. Questions for you:

1. How rare is this rifle?

2. Should I leave it as is or send to Turnbull for a proper and correct blue? Anyone know the cost and turn around time for this? Can others do this work?

As this rifle has been blued, I plan to hunt with it, shoot it (a lot), and maybe take it to Africa. My original goal was to find a .50 1886 with British proofs to go with my .50-95 and .405, both of which have seen use overseas.

Anyway, I appreciate your replies as this is an arena new to me. (My specialty is English double rifles and it is not blasphemy to refinish one of these as the Brits often refinished their guns and rifles after a year of hard use. But I know originality is everything in Winchesters and Colts).

Cheers from Alaska,

Cal Pappas