pre-war winchester-clean it or not ?

spookster

An elderly gentleman brought me a pre-war model 70 30govt06 to sell for him,,,ser # 2116,,,my question is: This rifle has hung on a wall for 40+ years and is coated in cooking smoke/dust and everything else that gathers in that amount of time,,,,should I clean it up for auction or leave it as/is ??
Everything I have ever read states the collectors like them as found,,,,and I am just wondering how it will affect the price.
Thank You,
Jim

sandwarrior

Clean it carefully so as not to damage it in any way. When collectors talk about leaving them the way they are it means don't change the configuration, i.e. barrel, sights, modify the stock. An uncleaned rifle with dust and crud all over it will give a buyer a chance to knock down the price.

Tailgunner1954

Think of it in terms of a car found after sitting for 40 years in a barn. It's OK to give it a bath and a wax job, and perhaps even a tune up and oil change, but you don't want to repaint it, re-upholster the interior, etc.

Collectors prefer them to be origional, IE no rebluing the metal, no refinishing the wood, no new repairs. Gently cleaning off cooking fumes and dust from the outside and dead bugs from inside the barrel is another thing.

MBK

That would be a Winchester 54.

Love to see a photo, especially a before and after set!

spookster

It is a Model 70,,,mfd 1936

Bert H.

Jim,

Carefully deep clean it. Remove the barreled action from the stock, apply a good quality gun cleaning solvent to all of the dirty areas, wipe it down real good with an old towel, and finally apply a very light coat of gun oil. Clean the stock with any of the quality wood furniture cleaners.

spookster

Thank You !!

brummiejim

Hi. Can you send me a heads up when you list this old timer on Gun Broker, or where ever you list it? I'm looking for a pre WWII Model 70. I'd actually like one made in 1937, but I'll settle for one made in '36. Thanks Jim jthomas98@prodigy.net