Gentlemen...I acquired a NIB "1 of 500" marked new production 1886 Winchester last night - 26" OBFMTD. Horrible satin finish blue but nice fitting standard rifle stocks and forend (no gaps at wood to metal fit!). I feel compelled to have this gun casehardened and rust blued. My question is: I do not like the tang safety, spring firing pin and lack of a tumbler on the hammer. This is due to my collecting and ownership of multiple original Winchesters - I must be a purist. Has anyone done a modification to their modern 86 Winchester with maybe Browning 1886 parts to return it to original type configuration? Does anybody know if it can even be done? I got this modern 1886 model as an original 26" TakeDown with Nickle Steel barrel is very rare and very expensive with the hopes that additional investment over the $1200 purchase price will make it appear and function as an original. Any help and advice will be most appreciated...even constructive criticism. Thanks! TXSGT

PS...I forgot to add, I placed this thread in this forum as the caliber is 45-70 and I will convert it to 45-90.

The hard part will be finding a gunsmith that is both 1.) highly skilled, especially with a TIG welder, and 2.) willing to take your money for a lot of unecessary work. If he is highly skilled he has a big backlog of real work to do. Also some will be suspicious you will grind "Made in Japan" off when they are done and try to pass it as the real thing.

All in all you will spend $1,500 to turn a $1,200 gun into a $500 gun. Have fun.

I have to agree with Hangfire. The only way that rifle will maintain its value is to leave it in original condition; not trying to make a sow's ear into a silk purse. There were only 500 of them made. Some of those will be shot, others modified. That will make the ones in original condition more valuable some time in the future. If you do the modifications then you have made the others more valuable.

I have LWR version and made several modifications to make it into a hunting rifle. I did not intend to maintain the value, only use it. You have make that choice.

David

If i were you I would contact Doug Turnbull restorations in upstate New York. I paid them a visit a few months ago and was absolutly dumbfounded at the quality of their work. Im sure they could do or advise you on the work you are interested in. the quality of the polish,blueing and colorcase harding must be seen to be appreciated. they work with model 86's and handed me one they converted to .50 alaskan. WoW.!!! good luck, Jim. www.turnbullrestoration.com

[QUOTE=hangfirew8]The hard part will be finding a gunsmith that is both 1.) highly skilled, especially with a TIG welder,

Hangfirew8...was your reference to a TIG welder applicable to modifying the firing pin and hammer to a traditional/original configuration? I am not sure what a TIG welder is for, surely not for refinishing??? As it applies to the refinish work desired, I understand the potential of future value and collectability, but since I have original versions already, I wanted one that I would not have to worry about for shooting, hunting, hauling around, etc. Since there is no rush on my part, I can certainly take my time in this decision and carefully weigh your advise. Thank you!

If i were you I would contact Doug Turnbull restorations in upstate New York. I paid them a visit a few months ago and was absolutly dumbfounded at the quality of their work. Jim. www.turnbullrestoration.com

Jim...I have seen examples of Turnbull's 1886 restorations and have viewed their website. Alas, they are very, very expensive. I have a local restorer who quoted me $450 for case and rust blue. I have seen his work too and it is acceptable, of course it not up to Turnbull standards! I can also wait until my oldest son finishes gunsmith school. If I could ever afford a Turnbull restoration, I would use that on an original vice a modern version. What did you get from them...a nice SAA maybe? :)