hi all,
i came into 2 old guns and need some advice. the first one is a winchester 1894 - by the serial number, it was built around 1920 - and it shows.  i have not fired it yet, but want to. the reciever is only 20-30% blue, the bbl and tube are about 70-80%, also, the wood is worn, rounded, chipped and scarred. i looked into the bore and found some light pitting.

the second one is a colt 1871-72 open top ??  converted to .38 centerfire. it has no blue (if it ever has) the grips look original (guess) and have been re-stained long ago (guess). the bore is filthy, dusty and i can't see the metal.

my questions are:
1) should i clean the revolver?
2) should i fire the rifle?
and
3) would the rifle be worth more in this "original" state? or should i send it to winchester for a re-furb, make it look good, but possibly lower the value????

thank you all in advance!

Clean em both real well, check them for mechanical reliability (or take them to a gunsmith if you're still not sure), and shoot 'em.

Don't refurb either one as it will definitely reduce their value (at least that's what I've been told).

There is a guy who goes by AntiqueDr who can really help you. He is usually at this site:
[url]http://pub49.ezboard.com/bthefirearmsforum[/url]
Or his website:
[url]http://www.apaxenterprises.com/sys-tmpl/door/[/url]

If anyone can help it will be him.
Ron

thanx guys!
hey slacko, i can't wait to fire them, they just ooze history, 'ya know? i guess i'll run the colt past an expert as i don't know what to look for.
Ron's Toys, great links! i'm sure i'll learn alot - and i will track down this AntiqueDr as well!

I have an original Model 94 myself.  Shoots fine.  Something about that ol' timer just feels right.