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To clean or not to clean?
The Winchester Model 1890 pictured at the following link got me to thinking about the subject of my thread:
http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1890/rare-winchester-1890-rifle-in-22-long-rifle.cfm?gun_id=100652869
When I first began collecting old guns there was a 28 inch barrel Winchester 1894 that was really a very good looking rifle, except the patina had been removed…unless one assumes that it had always been well cared for and in constant use during its life, and therefore there should not be any patina on it at all. I still wish that I would have bought it right to this day, but the fact that most people in the know at the time would have reduced the market value quite a bit caused me to not buy it. The owner of the gun shop was known to be a very honest and fair man, and in his opinion, he felt that the gun’s condition was a plus for its market value. Even to this day, there are people who would argue the point that he was correct in his belief that old guns showing such honest use would better represent what the gun looked like for the better part of its life, and also increase the value.
All comments greatly appreciated.
James
James,
There is nothing to clean off that gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
So, Bob, are you of the opinion that the gun has been cleaned, or that it has never had any patina on it?
James
James,
You asked if it should be cleaned or not cleaned, at least that is how I understood the question and they way the gun looks it does not need cleaning.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
Sorry. Let me ask the question a different way: Does the gun appear to have ever been cleaned or not, i.e. in a manner that would remove any patina?
James
James,
Its a very clean looking gun but I can’t see any signs its been cleaned at least by a novice. My impression of the gun is it was well taken care of.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
James,
Its a very clean looking gun but I can’t see any signs its been cleaned at least by a novice. My impression of the gun is it was well taken care of.
Bob
I agree that it was not cleaned by a novice and I agree that it’s a very clean looking gun, and one that I might buy had it not been cleaned to the degree that it has. I highly suspect that in a hands on inspection there would be no sign of patina at all evenly mixed in the remaining blue. Yet, the two schools of existing thought about whether or not to, for example, clean pappy’s gun exists not only among collectors, but laymen as well. Which is why I have asked the question that I have in connection with market value as well. To me, as nice as this gun is and as much as I would like to own it, I’m thinking the cleaning it received was overboard and diminished its value more than promoting it.
Thank you for the comments, Bob.
James
James,
Why do you believe that it has been cleaned (patina removed)? It does not have the appearance of a cleaned Winchester to my eyes.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hi,
The receiver looks flaked to me. I think James has an issue with the “brite metal” on the left side of the pump handle. Just my 2 cents.
Walter
Walter,
I saw that too but I figure its just a rub from the pump action.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob,
Pictures can be deceiving. That is a nice gun if you are looking for one.
Walter
It may have been cleaned from “household” dust, dirt, and grim. Then merely oiled up for the photos. But I wouldn’t consider that no more different than cleaning up some light surface rust.
I don’t believe it has been altered in a manner as to try to change its appearance of its condition to try to deceive or misrepresent it.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Looks like a nice model 90 that hasnt had more than an occasional wipe-down over its life. Wood looks in great shape, normal dents and stuff but not much, the loss of blue on the receiver looks to be from flaking or just a little wear over the years. If it did have a little rust that was cleaned I cant tell it from the pics, doesnt look like any resulting pitting.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
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