Redo the blue?

[Jozenbau]

I’ve got in my possession a winchester model 37, single shot 12ga. Someone did somethin bad to it. For resale purposes, would you have it fixed to sell or sell as is. Will it lower the value?

 

[drillsgt]

I’ve got in my possession a winchester model 37, single shot 12ga. Someone did somethin bad to it. For resale purposes, would you have it fixed to sell or sell as is. Will it lower the value?

Rebluing it would likely cost more than it's worth.

 

[tribeofham]

Rebluing it would likely cost more than it's worth.

Yes, but the shotgun looks old enough that the original bluing may have been a rust blue? Rust bluing barely costs more time unless you want to buy a pickling solution, such as the one made by Brownells. Acid (solution) + humidity + time + steam/boil + carding + repeat as needed. Finish with a light coat of BLO.

 

[MCgrease08]

You could just keep it and change your name to Huffer.

Side note. That's a beautiful Betsy Roads flag table. Where did you get that?

 

[Jozenbau]

You could just keep it and change your name to Huffer.

Side note. That's a beautiful Betsy Roads flag table. Where did you get that?

I had the table already. It had cheap particle board inserts in it. Had a guy I know that makes signs replace them with real wood and do that on the top one.

 

[Jozenbau]

I am looking for someone near Wabash area that can look at it and give me an estimate whether it’s worth fixing. Book says good to very good condition is around $400

 

[drillsgt]

I am looking for someone near Wabash area that can look at it and give me an estimate whether it’s worth fixing. Book says good to very good condition is around $400

I wouldn't go by that, before i responded last time I checked gunbroker to see what they are being listed for. Really nice ones weren't even bringing 400.00, plus once you mess with it and reblue it it's just an old single barrel shotgun, not original.

 

[Mgderf]

I hate to break this to you, but a simple reblueing will NOT cover up that mess.
Those scratches are in that receiver for good, or at least that's how it appears.
I would not put money into that one.
You'll never get it back.

 

[Jozenbau]

Maybe I’ll just spray paint the dang thing and say f it.

 

[Squirt239]

As a guy in the business, I can tell you that you will spend a significant amount in prep work. The bluing is not the expensive part...it's the prep work involved to get it to the quality you desire.

If you wanted a flat blued finish, sandblasting and light stoning would be required to salvage the weapon.

If you're wanting high gloss, super pretty....well...you're going to spend a decent amount of coin. NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT...but I can tell you I charge $50 / hour for labor. You're looking a minimum of 4-6 hours of filing, sanding an polishing to get to a decent gloss.

My best recommendation would be to either leave it as is, Cerakote it, or brown it. With the existing patina, I'd brown it....but, I'm a fan of that.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Sigblitz]

For $30, you might just keep it.

https://www.onlinefabricstore.net/rust-oleum-specialty-camouflage-spray-kit-6-pack-.htm

 

[Jozenbau]

As a guy in the business, I can tell you that you will spend a significant amount in prep work. The bluing is not the expensive part...it's the prep work involved to get it to the quality you desire.

If you wanted a flat blued finish, sandblasting and light stoning would be required to salvage the weapon.

If you're wanting high gloss, super pretty....well...you're going to spend a decent amount of coin. NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT...but I can tell you I charge $50 / hour for labor. You're looking a minimum of 4-6 hours of filing, sanding an polishing to get to a decent gloss.

My best recommendation would be to either leave it as is, Cerakote it, or brown it. With the existing patina, I'd brown it....but, I'm a fan of that.

Best of luck to you.

I might look into this Browning you speak of. That would probably be appealing to me as well. I’m a fan of patina.

 

[Roadman]

As is it is not worth much. I would make it a learning experience and attempt to fix it myself. An investment of some time and a variety of steel wool might just smooth out the carving. Then you will get a chance to learn about browning or bluing. I have done a couple of jobs on low value firearms left behind by former tenets. The results were very good. The key is to take your time.