I inherited my grandfather's Winchester 88 in .308 a number of years ago. The stock is in need of refinishing. The finish near the butt pad basically has peeled/flaked away.  The butt pad is partially disintegrated.

To the best of my knowledge although 88's are held in high regard by some, they don't have the collector value of say a pre '64 Model '70.

My question is should I refinish the stock or leave it as is?

No –– they dont have the collector value of a Model 70,  that is because a Model 70 is a belly button gun –– everybody has one.      The Model 88 and companion model 100 are more collectible in some circles due to their niche design.   Its also a Winchester ––-   (the pre 64 Model 70 is a nice firearm, but so is a Colt Python ––- input either on Gunbroker and see how many hits you get ––––––- then enter the 88 and 100 and wait for the proverbial internet tumbleweeds to float by)  ––––––––––-  collectible doesnt necessarilly mean high dollar, but considering that those were 200 dollar guns 10 years ago and they are now 5-600 dollar guns,  i'd say their value is rising while more historically "collectible" pieces are remaining relatively consistent in pricing

  I wouldnt  F––  with it unless it is truly atrocious –– but pics would be great to better evaluate it  ––- replacement buttpad shouldnt be hard to get
 

Does the stock have cut or pressed checkering?  If it's cut chances are IT"S a pre-64.  I have no clue as to your abilities on stock refinishing and mean no disrespect, but if it is a pre-64 I'd have it redone by a stock specialist.

Rob

I'm in Baghdad and the rifle is back home, so I can't post pics.

It has a four digit serial number so I do think it's a pre-64.

No disrespect taken. I know how people with good intentions, but applying the wrong tools improperly have dicked up numerous firearms.

You take good care.  75th?

Rob

I'm not going to weigh in with an opinion, I'll put out a few figures found in the Standard Catalog of Winchester Firearms which bases the value on condition:

Excellent $850
Very Good $650
Good $350
Fair $250
Poor $150

Add 25% for pre '64
Add 15% for .243
Add 200% for .284
Add 300% for .358
Add 100% for the Gopher Special which came with no front or rear sights and was made for a few years prior to 1962.

The real question is whether or not refinishing will hurt the value more than its current condition does.

Edit: A 4 digit serial number means that your rifle was made in 1955, which was the 1st year of manufacture.

Doesn't matter if it's a pre-64 or not. Model 88's are enjoying a surpriseing big rise in values. Seeing in ranges of $850 - $1800 for 308's.
Don't refinish- each mar or scratch has a story and gives character to the rifle.

Funny thing about that, over at Gunbroker, folks are asking $850 - $895 for .308's in excellent condition, and the prices aren't being bid up. There is one guy asking $1750 for his .284, but it appears that nobody is interested.

Yeah, but take a look at GunDigest-the Magazine. Some of the 284's are bringing up to $3400. They are getting harder to find here in Alabama. I've heard they are plentiful in Tex, and Colorado.

You can ask for anything you want. An advertised asking price is not the same as an actual payment recieved. All it means is that somebody bought an ad and then the ad expired, it doesn't mean that the gun was sold at that price. At Gunbroker you get to see the price that's asked and you get to see what someone is ACTUALLY willing to pay.