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I have been a visitor for a couple of years and enjoyed the info.
I have 3 old winchesters, two I have inherited and the 3rd I picked up dirt cheap as a possible restoration.
The first is my great great grandfathers 1873 made in 1889. It is a 38wcf with a 24 inch round barrel.
I have a 2nd 1873 that I purchased because it was cheap and I thought I might make a restoration project with someone like Turnbull or something. It is an 1882 model 44wcf that is rough. No bluing whatsoever and the wood doesn’t have much finish either. Its a 24 inch octagon.
The 3rd was another inherited gun from the other side of the family. It is a 1901 1894 model in 38-55. 24 inch octagon barrel.
None of these are what I am sure many on here would describe as collectors pieces but I like them. They are old. The 94 is probably in the best condition, the 38 has a nice patinaed receiver, but the barrel and the magazine are a little rough. The 44 is just about bare and worn. Still functions, but there isn’t much of anything left to it finish wise.
I am seriously considering sending the 44 to Turnbull and seeing what he can do with it.
I know from my parker and colt collecting its only original once, but there isn’t much left on this one.
I will try to post some pics this weekend
Thanks
Below are the pics of my 1894 and my 38wcf 1873. Will have to get pics of the .44wcf later. 
Both guns look to be nice original examples judging from the pictures. The 73 has a fair amount of blue for a 73, I like it. The 94 is the right caliber, configuration, and has condition, also a gun to be proud of. You have the start of a Winchester lever collection, the fact they came from family makes them special. They are only original once, do not try and improve them. If they were mine I’d shoot them. T/R
Oh I do. Messed up and forgot to clean the black powder out of the 73 once and had a big cleaning job afterwards.
Will post pics of the 44 when I get a chance. It has very little finish of any kind.
Here is the .44 I just purchased, found it on GI and offered the guy significantly less than he was asking and shockingly he accepted. LIke I said it doesn’t have much finish left to it and I think it might be fun bringing the old girl back.
If it were myself,I would just leave than as they are and enjoy them as such.
Very nice trifecta of Winchesters you have. If someone has a no history, no family connection, no condition Winchester, which he would enjoy more refinished, he might just be creating a gun which in 40 years will be great grandpa’s beloved Winchester. Go for it. IMHO
Vince
Southern Oregon
NRA member
Fraternal Order of Eagles
“There is but one answer to be made to the dynamite bomb and that can best be made by the Winchester rifle.”
Teddy Roosevelt
The 44 has been messed with, someone swapped the stock and put a late one on it off of a 32 . It should have a long tang butt plate with the cleaning rod door just like your 38.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I was curious about that. As I said it was dirt cheap and in poor condition so I truly do not think I risk much if I choose to restore it.
The 44 isn’t worth much the way it is, but if you pay to restore, you will be under water. When I see restored guns sell they never bring what it costs for the restoration. You can buy a good original cheaper than you can have the 44 restored by Turnbull. When you get the gun back it will look like new, because it has new wood, barrel, tube, and maybe a dozen other donor parts. I guess it’s part Winchester. T/R
From their website and the articles I have read they seem to reuse as much as they can. In an interview somewhere Doug said they are pretty good at reusing the barrels and tubes and such, wood is more variable for them then metal on replacing.
Not so much worried about value return. It would be bringing back a nice old gun for future generations.
Restoring a gun will not bring it back for future generations. It might look nicer but never real.
Yes, I understand. If you want to pass something on get a gun that isn’t messed with and pass that one on.
restoring a gun only pencils out if its a deluxe, heavy barrel or has family history otherwise your upside down in it. For the money you will spend on it to get it restored you can buy a gun with a lot of blue in original condition. Most restores are costing over $3500 and if you pay less than that you get back junk.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015
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KC-
I like your plans for the 44, I’ve considered doing the same thing if the right gun comes along. DT’s work is not cheap but his results speak for themselves. A quality restoration takes lots of skill, time and often a costly component or two, all are expensive these days. At this point in time a restored gun has little or no collector value but if that’s not a factor I understand. Owning a rifle that looks much like it did 100 or more years ago is pretty cool, especially if it was restored to your specifications. Your money, your gun, your call.
Mike
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