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I was having a discussion with a friend the other day about a rifle that he owns that once belonged to his uncle. It is a model 64 30-30 that his uncle sent back to Winchester in the early 70s to have reblued. He also has the supporting receipt from the job.
My question is, does this add any value to an otherwise common rifle. It is not for sale as he considers it a family heirloom. He and I were curious as to what the thought regarding value.
One of the, if not the worst thing you can do to an old Winchester or any collectable gun for that matter. Going to stay in the family, I guess it doesn’t make any difference, but it did reduce the value of the rifle over 1/2. I have a beater Colt Woodsman that my Dad used in civilian matches and I would never even consider a reblue. It has character the way it is. Big Larry
Personally, I don’t think it adds anything or takes anything away as long as it was done by the factory. Take a look at some of the high dollar guns that were sent back to the factory and have a documented R&R.
My thoughts are the same as Mike’s… if it is documented as factory work, it will have very little affect on the collector value.
Bert
p.s. do I have the serial number for the survey?
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
But in the future (if kept like new) I think its like new condition will be a plus and add to the desirability if it is documented as a Winchester factory refinish , not to the extent of what a mint completely original might be worth , but more than what it may have been worth in its worn condition
To me, I think that if it looks to have been refinished in any way that it could be detrimental to some extent.
James
Bert H. said
My thoughts are the same as Mike’s… if it is documented as factory work, it will have very little affect on the collector value.Bert
p.s. do I have the serial number for the survey?
Bert, I will see it one of these days. What info do you need?
Bert H. said
My thoughts are the same as Mike’s… if it is documented as factory work, it will have very little affect on the collector value.Bert
p.s. do I have the serial number for the survey?
Bert, I will see it one of these days. What info do you need?
Serial number, caliber, and variation. If it is a pre-WW II, which type of upper tang marking does it have, and does it have a "W" stamped under the serial number. If it is a real early serial number, is it drilled & tapped for a receiver mounted peep sight.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hello , I am trying to find if Winchester can reblue the receiver of a Winchester Model 70 1937, in 30/06 . I would only reblue at the Winchester Factory .
Larry Dayton said
Hello , I am trying to find if Winchester can reblue the receiver of a Winchester Model 70 1937, in 30/06 . I would only reblue at the Winchester Factory .
Hello Larry,
Unfortunately the “Winchester” company that manufactured your Model 70 rifle has not existed since late 1980. It was in December of 1980 that Olin Industries (the owner of “Winchester”) sold the original Winchester factory in New Haven CT to the newly formed U.S. Repeating Arms Company (U.S.R.A.Co.). The U.S.R.A.Co. got into financial trouble in the early 1990s and was purchased out of bankruptcy by FN (Fabrique Nationale) Herstal. FN continued to operate the New Haven CT factory up until March of 2006 when they permanently shuttered the factory doors in a dispute with the EPA, the Commonwealth of Connecticut, and the Labor Union that was controlling the workforce at the old factory. FN move the Model 70 production to Columbia SC for several years, then moved it overseas to Portugal (where it still is). Today, the “Winchester” trademarked name (still owned by Olin Industries) is leased to the Browning Arms Company (which is a subsidiary of FN). Accordingly, there is no “Winchester” factory that can reblue your Model 70.
Bert – WACA Historian
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I didn’t snap to the fact that this thread was started in 2014 – until I saw JWM’s post.
I very rarely regret passing on a reblued rifle. There is one in my history – never forgot it – even though the chance came and went 40 years ago. It was a M1894 .32-40 with a 36 inch barrel. It was in super high condition and there was documentation that the refinishing occurred at the factory. I do recall the seller had a more difficult time attracting interest because of the refinishing. Many other collectors felt it reduced the value/desirability.
It was in December of 1980 that Olin Industries (the owner of “Winchester”) sold the original Winchester factory in New Haven CT to the newly formed U.S. Repeating Arms Company (U.S.R.A.Co.). Bert H. said
Did USRA continue to advertise as “Winchester”? (By leasing the trademark, as with FN.) Not being interested in “new guns,” I never noticed.
clarence said
It was in December of 1980 that Olin Industries (the owner of “Winchester”) sold the original Winchester factory in New Haven CT to the newly formed U.S. Repeating Arms Company (U.S.R.A.Co.). Bert H. said
Did USRA continue to advertise as “Winchester”? (By leasing the trademark, as with FN.) Not being interested in “new guns,” I never noticed.
Yes they did. They advertised themself as “Winchester” by leasing the trademarked name for a 25-year period (which coincidently expired in March of 2006). Shortly after they began doing business under the U.S.R.A.Co. nameplate, they refused to do any warranty or service work on the pre-1981 manufactured “Winchester Arms Company” firearms. That is why Olin had to establish authorized Winchester repair dealers, To give you an example, when the Model 100 was recalled for the faulty firing pin issue in 1990, Olin provided a list of authorized repair shops.
“IMPORTANT Recall info:
WINCHESTER MODEL 100 FIRING PIN RECALL – A notice dated 7-1990 relates the following
“PRODUCT SAFETY WARNING AND REPLACEMENT NOTICE.
Attention owners of Winchester model 100 rifles and carbines please read this notice. In July of 1990 the following product safety warning was issued by Winchester. It has come to our attention that the firing pin in the Winchester Model 100 Rifle or Carbine may break due to use and metal fatigue and become lodged in the breech bolt face. If this occurs, the firearm may fire before the action is locked causing severe damage to the firearm and possibly injury or death to the shooter and bystander.
WARNING DO NOT SHOOT YOUR WINCHESTER MODEL 100 RIFLE OR CARBINE.
Repair and replacement. A new firing pin has been designed to replace the firing pin originally made for the Winchester Model 100 Rifle and Carbine. The new firing pins will be available in April 1991. If you own a Winchester Model 100 Rifle or Carbine, please send your firearm to one of the authorized Winchester Model 100 Firing Pin Replacement Centers indicated below.
Your Winchester Model 100 firearm will be inspected, the firing pin replaced and tested and the firearm returned to you. The inspection, replacement/testing and return postage will be accomplished at no cost to you. If other repair or maintenance work is authorized by you to be performed on the firearm when the firing pin is replaced, such work shall be at your cost.”
R. Long Gunsmiths
2007 Brook Road North
Cobourg, Ontario K9A4W4
Canada
Frank LeFever & Sons
RD 2 Box 31
Lee Center, NY 13363
USA
Bolsa Gunsmithing
7404 Bolsa Avenue
Westminister, CA 92683
USA
Nu Line Guns
1053 Caulks Hill Road
Harvester, MO 63303
USA
If you have any questions concerning this notice, call Winchester Product Service 1-800-852-5734 or write to Winchester Firing Pin replacement Notice, PO Box 10 Cottage Hills Illinois 62018 Attention Product Service Dept.”
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I wonder what a model 64 refinished in the 1970s would look like. I’d think the bluing process used in the 70s would have been quite a bit different
25-20 said
But in the future (if kept like new) I think its like new condition will be a plus and add to the desirability if it is documented as a Winchester factory refinish , not to the extent of what a mint completely original might be worth , but more than what it may have been worth in its worn condition
Depends on how badly worn. Really beat up? Then perhaps better the refinish. Merely moderate, typical wear, “used but not abused,” better left alone. Of course, some love “shiny”; I hate it.
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