Restore or not restore ??

[froggy]

Salut,

Here are some of the seller's photos of a 22LR Mauser MM 410B .
The bore is very good but the original finish, or what is left of it, is quite damaged ...








I tend to shoot those 22Lr trainers so it will go to the range but I got this one mainly because it is just such a beautifull piece of early 30's Mauser production.

Unfortunatly I applied, as it is my first FAC in the UK, for only two 22lr slots, one Semi-Auto for gallery type of shooting and one bolt action for 25/50 yards "target".

The rifle is currently abroad - Question is :

- does it travels to England to fill that 22LR bolt slot and get shoot twice/month maybe more. I feel that if it gets out frequently it might benefit a new coat,

- or does the 410 goes to France and stays "as it is" and get only get shoot once in a blue moon and I look for an other 22lr Trainer for the UK . I have my eyes peels for a ES 340B or, if I find, an MS 420B,

My gut instinct as with all old weapons or collectors objets is to leave it "as it is" with just minimal work to prevent further dammage. But I am really sitting on the fence with this one.

So I am curious of hearing what would you do ?
Leave it as it is or take it to the gunsmith for a re-bluing ?

thanks,



NB - On this page you can see a pristin one ... :shock:
http://www.k98k.info/index.php?p=showto ... e-mm-410-b

[dromia]

Me I'd leave it as is, its condition is its own honest story.

[tikkathreebarrels]

I had all my historic training rifles on "collect and occasional use" condition on my FAC and, unless I couldn't avoid it, in as found condition rather than as new.

[John25]

Froggy,

Clean it, love it, shoot it please, please, don't 'restore' :shock: it.

[ovenpaa]

I agree. clean it and cherish it.

I had a shotgun with some surface rust many years ago, I oiled it using very very fine wire wool, it removed the roughness of the rust but did not damage what was left of the finish so it felt a lot nicer to handle. A gentle touch is required if you really feel you want to do this.

[huntervixen]

I agree,

Clean very carefully with very fine wire wool and gun oil and enjoy!

Cheers, John.

[bobbob]

Clean it, love it, shoot it please, please, don't 'restore' :shock: it.

Totally agree, clean it and preserve the history but stop any more decay and enjoy it. Bit like wrinkles, earned through age and experience.

[ovenpaa]

Remember Froggy, we are the custodians of such rifles, we are maintaining and storing and cherishing them until the next custodian takes them over for safe keeping

[froggy]

Re-

The verdict seems unanimous

we are the custodians of such rifles, we are maintaining and storing and cherishing them until the next custodian takes them over for safe keeping
I like those words a lot

[Dave 101]

I always find this question a bit strange if it was an old car or a peice of fine furniture it would be restored to like new and people would pay a fortune for it but when it comes to guns many say leave it as is . I think it all depends on its rarity a No 4 Enfield isnt exactly a rarity and if you wanted one that looked like new well thats your choice . I have had several .22 target rifles a couple I thought warrented a complete restoration and some just a serious clen up . Its funny because the Yanks seem to restore to like new or just customise the hell out of it . Horses for coarses , its what you feal is right at the time .

Dave

ps for me theres no room for cabinet queens whatever I choose to do it has to be usable . As for your Mauser buy it and enjoy it .