doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Refinish or leave it alone?

I have a Winchester 21 that has seen its share of field use. Skeet model 20ga, 2 barrel set (26" ws1/ws2, 30" f/f) and made in '46 or '47.

The metal is all in good condition with normal bluing wear, but the finish on the stock needs some help. Since I am planning to sell it, should I leave it with all of its battle scars, or refinish it to make it pretty again?

The kicker is that it has a short stock (13-5/8 LOP) and any potential buyer would probably restock it anyway, unless it was acquired with a smaller person in mind.

Hello,

Welcome to the site on your first posting.

I do now know if you will get your money back that
you would spend on a refinish

Mike

If I were selling it I'd leave it as-is. If I were keeping it I might refinish it myself.

A 20 gauge Model 21 with 30" barrels is 1 of about 175. I own a Tournament grade 20 gauge with 28" Skeet barrels and 30" magnums.
A great set and pretty rare to boot. With only about 30,000 in all a refinished Model 21 is not as frowned upon as say a Parker would be.
Too bad about the wood but a $3000 bill will remedy your stock situation.
There's plenty of market out there for your most desirable 2 barrel set, in fact I know a guy...

Thanks for all of the replies. I posted the question here as I have been reading this forum for a long while and respect the opinions of those around here.

I'm going to give it some serious thought...with the hopes I don't talk myself into another full restoration.

That wood has some nice figure in it and it could look a whole lot nicer than it does with the old factory finish. And I'm not talking about the obvious scratches and scrapes.

That's the problem with the Winchester Model 21, after you refinish it and take a look at it you may not want to sell it.

I would like to see that stocks figuring after being treated with Alkanet, though not to every ones taste I know but I feel it would enhance the woods figure contrast then it is rather a Brit thing to like Alkanet.

This product is great for a temporary upgrade of a stock finish just like you have to get it in good enough cosmetic shape to sell. Works great and highly recommend. Get the Dark Walnut.
http://www.howardproducts.com/prod-restor-a-finish.php
JR

Leave it alone and let the new owner make any changes as he sees fit. He may like it more the way it is than refinshed.