Restore this rifle or not?

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

OK, picked up a 1973-made Marlin 39M (mountie version is the 20" barrel version). This one is a rough looking shooter grade - bluing is around 55% if lucky, with some light rust on the barrel. Wood is fairly cut up, too.

What I want to do is restore this - work the wood up with sanding and a nice oil finish job, and have someone polish & re-blue the metal. I know this would increase MY enjoyment of ownership of the rifle, and it would be an interesting project along the way, but would this raise or lower the value, do you think?

I think that if it was 1968 or prior in this condition, that this would reduce the value, and I'd leave it as is. But since it's a later model, I believe it will increase the actual street value, making it comparable to a recent manufacture one in looks. Paid $255, BTW.

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

well, IMO a gun is meant for personal use and satisfaction. I don't plan on ever selling any of my guns. If it were me, I would restore it if it looks crappy, but if it just looks well-worn than maybe not. Any pics?

 

[saltydog452]

Sounds like more fun that painting the house and doing yard work.

I'd go for it. Experiment with various mfgs of Cold Blue. Do all this very, very slowwwwly, at least to November or so.

salty

 

[35Rem]

The reblue alone would cost as much, but most likely more, than what you have in the gun ($255). You may not be happy with the finish when it's done. You definately want to see some examples of work done by the 'smith that's going to do it.

One option may be to wipe it down (properly) with some Brownell's Oxpho Blue cold blue. Not just any cold blue. This is about the best out there and it supposedly has good results in touch up work.

Bottom line: Your gun, your time, your money.

Don't expect to get out of it what you put into it (speaking purely of money here).

 

[jmr40]

My first instinct is to say "leave it as is" The Mounties, even the newer ones have more collector value. As long as nothing is broken and it functions properly I like the looks of a rifle with a lot of character. It is hard to say however without actually seeing the rifle.

 

[jim in Anchorage]

If it is a nice piece of walnut,I would want to refinish that with GB linseed oil. Easy to do,and it really brings out the figure. As far as a re blue,as other posts said,I would differently want to see examples of the smith's work. I would rather have lack of finish than funneled screw holes,rounded off edges,etc.