I inherited my grandfather's L.C. smith sxs when he passed away, and I would like to restore it. It is noting too fancy, he was a poor farmer, but he never missed with it. It is pretty sentimental, but in bad shape after all these years. I think he would like it if I restored and used it. Where should I start? I realize that doing this right will take a lot of money and time. Not that I have either, but some things are worth it.
restoring an L.C. Smith
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3,036 Posts
Ryan,
Sometimes restoring a firearm can destroy it's value. Collectors like them untouched. Seeing how this was handed down and has sentimental value, the firearm would be worth more to you reconditioned. Some things to look at:
Do you want to have screw in choke's installed(what make)?
Do you want the barrel shortened?
Different sights(beads) installed?
What of type of blueing(dark,light,luster)?
New wood or refinnished(checkered)?
Install a pad?
Want engraving with/without gold inlays)?
Do you want all the work done together?
You can have some work done, then when money comes available have some more work done. I saw the Shotgun TV show were they had a Winchester model 21 redone, had to resolder the barrels, engraved with gold inlays, reblued added new wood. On another show they had screw in chokes added. Turned out to be a nice looking shotgun. Hope this helps. Good luck on your project. Keith
Sometimes restoring a firearm can destroy it's value. Collectors like them untouched. Seeing how this was handed down and has sentimental value, the firearm would be worth more to you reconditioned. Some things to look at:
Do you want to have screw in choke's installed(what make)?
Do you want the barrel shortened?
Different sights(beads) installed?
What of type of blueing(dark,light,luster)?
New wood or refinnished(checkered)?
Install a pad?
Want engraving with/without gold inlays)?
Do you want all the work done together?
You can have some work done, then when money comes available have some more work done. I saw the Shotgun TV show were they had a Winchester model 21 redone, had to resolder the barrels, engraved with gold inlays, reblued added new wood. On another show they had screw in chokes added. Turned out to be a nice looking shotgun. Hope this helps. Good luck on your project. Keith
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380 Posts
Ryan,
It may not be that bad, if the wood is savable there is still hope, without getting in to customrebuild , you are probibly looking any were from $500.00 to $900.00 depending.
RON KONTOWSKY
ACTIONS BY R.A.K.
It may not be that bad, if the wood is savable there is still hope, without getting in to customrebuild , you are probibly looking any were from $500.00 to $900.00 depending.
RON KONTOWSKY
ACTIONS BY R.A.K.
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1,156 Posts
Ryan,
I'm with Ron,have a good gunsmith look at it to see if it is,or can be easily made "safe". If so,then have it slowly brought back to the condition Grandpa used to have it in. It wouldn't be the same gun if you customized it. My grandfather had an old damascus Francotte that my youngest brother now kind of just sits on,as is. This is fine,but I'd love to have it reconditioned and hunt with it occaisionally.
Good Luck,
Jim
I'm with Ron,have a good gunsmith look at it to see if it is,or can be easily made "safe". If so,then have it slowly brought back to the condition Grandpa used to have it in. It wouldn't be the same gun if you customized it. My grandfather had an old damascus Francotte that my youngest brother now kind of just sits on,as is. This is fine,but I'd love to have it reconditioned and hunt with it occaisionally.
Good Luck,
Jim
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3,036 Posts
There's nothing wrong with having it returned to factory finish. I just offered some things to think about. Heck, Ryan might just want it factory looking. Even having IN LOVING MEMORY OF with Ryans grandfathers name engraved might be a nice touch. What ever work Ryan has done, I hope he has as much or more fun with that gun as his grandfather did. Hopefully the memorys can be passed down to Ryans grandchildren one day. Keith
Yeah, I tried to type a reply, but I guess it somehow was lost. I don't want it customized, but would like to get back to something like it was when new. It isn't really a fancy gun, and I am not worried about killing the collector's value. It isn't going anywhere except down the line. I have several shotguns, but I was taught to hunt by my gradfather, and this one deserves to be hunted with.
The wood is not salvageable in my opnion. A nice piece of mid grade american walnut from wenig or somebody ought to be perfect. The question that comes up is the mechanism and metal work mostly. Does anyone know of someone who can do this without costing an arm and a leg? I might consider having screw in chokes added, but that can wait until the rest is done.
The wood is not salvageable in my opnion. A nice piece of mid grade american walnut from wenig or somebody ought to be perfect. The question that comes up is the mechanism and metal work mostly. Does anyone know of someone who can do this without costing an arm and a leg? I might consider having screw in chokes added, but that can wait until the rest is done.
G
Guest
·Ryan Try calling George Spencer at Spencers Reblue Service. He does great work. He will rust blue the barrels and have the action case colored, and it will look like new and wont cost that much. He also does stock work. Tell him Dave said to call.
517 694 7474
517 694 7474
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