Rechecker a pre 64 model 70?

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Ok guys, I inherited from my dad a 1952 winchester model 70 in .270. Its in pretty good shape, some scratches on the receiver as my dad sheep hunted with it. My question is whether or not i should resharpen the checkering. The original hand checkering is dull, rounded, and gummed up by whatever finish they put on it at the factory. Im an experienced checkerer, and Im confident I can do an good job, im just curious if this is a big no-no for the value of this rifle. I plan on using this rifle and will likely never sell it anyway, but i want opinions. I will go over the pattern once lightly with a 60 degree single line cutter, and do one light final pass with a 90 degree single line cutter, or more as needed to bring the diamonds back to a sharp point. I will likely leave the rounded border alone unless i can acquire the correctly profiled cutter. Finish sealing it up by brushing in tru-oil. By the way my dad did not die, he just prefers his featherweights nowadays. Thoughts?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Your stock is extremely dirty. Most hunters never clean the stock on their rifles. Give it a good cleaning before you do anything else.
Pick up a bottle of Howard’s Feed-N-Wax to clean the stock. Start on the checkering on one side. Apply Howard’s to the checkering and let it do it’s work. The orange oil will soften the built up crud. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the checkering. You will be amazed at what comes out of the checkering.
Once you have all the checkering finished apply Howard’s to the entire stock. You want it wet. Let it sit a little then hand rub the stock. After rubbing wipe it dry with a clean rag. Let the stock sit for about 30 min. Then buff it with a clean cloth.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Ill give it a shot, thanks gunny

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Ill give it a shot, thanks gunny

 

[Bushpilot]

Nice rifle either way you decide....

 

[joed]

That's a nice rifle. Not sure that I would even mess with the checkering other then cleaning it. If you sharpen it eventually it will wear again.

 

[Milt1]

That's a nice rifle. Not sure that I would even mess with the checkering other then cleaning it. If you sharpen it eventually it will wear again.

Yup, leave it as is except for the cleaning!