Hello,
I have a couple of the Winchester lever action rifles, such as the Illinois and Golden spike models, that have suffered some stock and butt plate damage due to water.
I would like these restored but have not had much luck in finding a local gunsmith. I thought this would be a good. Place to find some help.

The Winchester gallery in Ft. Worth might be a good place to start. Good gunsmith on premises.

Welcome to the Winchester Owners Forum !!

Where are you located...??

OK...I'm going inject my two cents here, and it's probably not exactly what you want to hear....For what its worth, here's my opinion as a Winchester collector. I am assuming that pre-flood, these rifles were new in the box in perfect condition... Although you may be able to get these rifles "restored", their collector value was lost when they touched the water. Commemorative models are normally valued higher than standard models provided they are in unaltered and remain in their original new condition, have not been cycled or fired, and still have their original boxes. If a commemorative rifle is altered in any way or used its interest to collectors is lost completely. The resale value of used or modified commemoratives is reduced to nearly the same as a standard model or less. If your flood insurance is "fixing" these for you, then both of these rifles should be replaced with new in box rifles. I would not accept any alterations or repairs to a commemorative model unless you are planning on having them for a keepsake rather than an investment.

Very well said!

Here's a site that might give you an idea of commemorative rifle current values etc.
This guy is a commemorative collector, and knows them very well, probably good to talk to someone there if you want another opinion before you begin restoring your rifles.

http://www.doublegun.com/roth.htm

Wonder why we haven't heard any more from Piper 87c ?

If you decide to go ahead with the restoration, here's a useful contact. This is right from the main page link on Winchester's website.


James Buchanan
16335 Lima Road #5
Huntertown IN, 46748
Phone: 260-338-1894
Fax: 260-338-1585
Website
Email