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From: decwrl!well.sf.ca.us!well!rsl@uunet.UU.NET (Roy Stuart Levin)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Value of Winchester 1917 Enfield
Message-ID: <35707@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 15 Jun 91 23:47:54 GMT
Sender: magnum@mimsy.umd.edu
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
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Approved: gun-control@cs.umd.edu



My brother just purchased an old bolt action military Enfield style rifle
in 30-06 which was made by Winchester and marked "Winchester of 1917".
These rifles were purchased by NRA members after World War II as part of 
their membership promotion which I understand later featured M1s and M1
carbines.  Anyway, a riflesmith claims it needs "slight" restoration in
that it was stored in gun grease and he says some metal was deteriorating and
some grease "soaked" into the stock.  He want's $200 for a restoration.
Is this way out of line?  Has anyone seen any of these military Enfields
around in Shotgun News or other price guides?  I think my brother paid
$100 for it and other than these blemishes in the appearance it is in
excellent working condition.  Anybody have any thoughts?
you can post replies here or email to rsl@well uucp

[MODERATOR:  Run this by us one more time, real slow ... he's going to
do *what* for $200 .... ?   I've cleaned up a couple oldies that needed
"slight" restoration at least at the level you've hinted at, and I think
I have *yet* to pay $200 for materials, and I get the fun of doing it
too.  Don't fail to have a good 'smith check your oldies for safety and
function, but for work on a stock like this, methinks you should shop 
around a bit.]