I would not put any $$$ into this, as they stated. Some wood glue, applied carefully, can repair the crack, and like was said you can tone down the look of the non professional job that was done to this piece to make it at least look presentable, and not trying to hide anything, or fool anyone. I'm pretty sure on the left top of the receiver, some pitting, under the distasteful re blue finish, is evident on the receiver. Zebulon is spot on with his recommendation, on how to save you're pocketbook from chasing this one down that infamous rabbit hole that will never please you. Bert's 3 times the cost is spot on. Spend the saved $$ on a real masterpiece, and just keep going as a lesson learned! IMHO!

Anthony

If the gun has no sentimental value - an inheritance,  for example,  I would not throw good money after bad. There is a market for shiny old Winchesters and cashing out of it makes the most sense, to me anyway.

If it IS an inheritance and the bore and mechanicals are good enough to hunt with, there are some things you could do yourself or might have done at modest cost to make the gun less painful.to the eye, although It will never be collectible:

With the rifle disassembled, taking care not to round any edges, knock the gloss off the wood with 0000 steel wool. Don't remove any wood, just flatten the top layer of finish. If 4-0 isn't enough, drop back to 000 or 00 but use a very light touch. With care, the finish can be made to approximate oil. It would help if you have seen the various Winchesters on display at Cody. 

The other step is more drastic and that is to age the steel, which requires flattening the existing blue and removing it realistically in places - sharp edges and at the carry point. This is at best fooling the eye because the real problem was overpolishing the bare steel. But it can create an imperfect illusion of an older finish. 

None of the foregoing will fool a knowledgeable collector but it would make the gun more appealing in appearance. More to a knowledgeable person's taste, I expect including you. 

I can say these things with a clear conscience because I've been down this road myself. Like the man trying to carry his tomcat home by its tail, I learned some lessons that will never grow dim or doubtful. 

bStrongTO said

bStrongTO said
I know this thread is older, but it’s a great title.
Unfortunately the lack of experience may have contributed to this disaster. When trying to confirm any markings on who or where the refurbishment, based on notes past down done in 1970, a little splitting of the wood.
SN shows 1911, I’m waiting for the letters.
I’m hoping to get this done by Turnbull case coloring. Any ideas? The blueing and finish on the wood is a little wrong dates?
Luckily we have a few other models, but in 1894 1 94’ 25-35 (1911)1 30 (1901). 
  

As you can see this one stands out and seems like it needs a little change?
  

The damage that was done to it when it was non-professionally refinished is too extensive to recover from.  The cost to have it properly restored will be approximately 3X what the gun would be worth.  Case color finishing it would only make as it is not the correct finish type for a 1911 production Model 1894.  Winchester ceased case color finishing in August of the year 1901.  All receiver frames were machine blued, and the barrels and magazine tubes were rust blued.

Bert

bStrongTO said
I know this thread is older, but it’s a great title.
Unfortunately the lack of experience may have contributed to this disaster. When trying to confirm any markings on who or where the refurbishment, based on notes past down done in 1970, a little splitting of the wood.
SN shows 1911, I’m waiting for the letters.
I’m hoping to get this done by Turnbull case coloring. Any ideas? The blueing and finish on the wood is a little wrong dates?
Luckily we have a few other models, but in 1894 1 94’ 25-35 (1911)1 30 (1901). 

As you can see this one stands out and seems like it needs a little change?

Unfortunately the lack of experience may have contributed to this disaster. When trying to confirm any markings on who or where the refurbishment, based on notes past down done in 1970, a little splitting of the wood.

SN shows 1911, I’m waiting for the letters.

I’m hoping to get this done by Turnbull case coloring. Any ideas? The blueing and finish on the wood is a little wrong dates?

Luckily we have a few other models, but in 1894 1 94’ 25-35 (1911)1 30 (1901). 

kevindpm61 said
Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong but, I think the 250-3000 was the first American cartridge to go over 3000 ft./s.  I believe it was the 280 Ross that went over 3000 ft./s first
  

I believe you may be correct, when you search it up, this is what I found. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Rick C said
Very nice rifle and great photos mrcvs. I was always intrigued by the first commercial cartridge to reach 3000fps(70gr bullet) and wanted one. The 1899 was well ahead of its time. 🤐
  

Those are auction house photographs, as I’m not nearly that good.  Another one came up for auction recently, not quite as nice as mine, but almost so, and the hammer price was attractive.  I didn’t bid on it as I was chasing down something else later in the auction.  Had I to do it over in retrospect, I would have bid on it.

Rick C said
Thanks.
Top to bottom:
First year 1899 250-3000 perch belly made in 1915 TD, pg, 22" bl checkering,
99F TD 22" bl feather weight, 303 made in 1928.
99E 22” bl scarce solid frame 22 Hi Power made in 1932
99H bl band carbine 20" bl 30-30 made in 1934.
Also have a scarce high condition Savage model 1895 with octagon bl and has the bolt cocking indicator and shot indicator 5000 serial number range made in 1896.
Ammo came from gun shows and GI.
  

I also have a .250-3000 from 1915.  What amazes me about this cartridge is that it’s not a necked down .303 Savage, but, instead, the parent case is .30-06.

Top to bottom:

First year 1899 250-3000 perch belly made in 1915 TD, pg, 22" bl checkering,

99F TD 22" bl feather weight, 303 made in 1928.

99E 22” bl scarce solid frame 22 Hi Power made in 1932

99H bl band carbine 20" bl 30-30 made in 1934.

Also have a scarce high condition Savage model 1895 with octagon bl and has the bolt cocking indicator and shot indicator 5000 serial number range made in 1896.

Ammo came from gun shows and GI.