New and looking for help

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by Stan Hoover

Ryan
The serialization book shows that serial number to be a 10 gauge with 32” Damascus barrels, no extras, pistol grip stock, and it is a Grade 3,

That is exactly what it was when it left the factory.

[B. Dudley]

It is a grade 3 lifter. The buttstock is a very poor replacement. And in rough shape on top of that. It should go right in the garbage if anything is done to the gun. Trying to put any effort into that piece of wood would be a complete waist.

Any restoration work would only be justified if the barrels are in good or restorable conditon.

Cost of “restoration” would depend on how much is done and who does the work. You could spend $5k or you could spend $10k. It is a big variable.

[Ryan Lux]

Wow....restorations can cost up to $10k? I had no idea......im actually kinda floored. If I did find a way to invest $10k into this and get it back into great shape, would it be worth anything more then the fixer up investment? I thought I would maybe display this in my man cave if I did restore. But for that amount it might be best kept in the safe.

[edgarspencer]

Confirm if the barrels are still 32". If not, forget the restoration route. You might consider looking for a donor gun. Even if the donor isn't also grade 3, a good stock guy can rework it to give drop points, and then properly finish and checker in Gr. 3 pattern. The 10ga guns are found in 2 and 3 frame, and a 1 frame 10 was reported here. Lots to digest, so don't be in a rush.

[B. Dudley]

A good stock guy wouldn't touch that stock.

[edgarspencer]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

A good stock guy wouldn't touch that stock.

Can I assume you're referring to the original stock the OP has shown? I'd have to agree if that's what you mean.

[ArtS]

The fly in the ointment is that replacement stocks for that period , in my experience, are not easy to find. I have several guns of that vintage and many have had stock issues even though the guns are quite presentable. I suspect that it is because they are sidelocks. Many have issues that are with stocks that are already replacements from many years ago. A couple of them are guns I have found at a really good price that were purchased because they may have useable replacement stocks for a better barreled action. They turned out to not be useable generally because of the running changes in lockplates and their fit. I regularly am on the lookout for lifter stocks or butchered guns with a decent stock, but just don't find any. Ditto for pre-inletted semifinished stocks. Several of the major old time stock people tell me they have ditched their patterns.

Bottom line is that for a pre-hammerless gun there is not much hope of finding a donor stock. So either some form of repair to make a stock at least useable (and often ugly) or a restock are the the only two options. I call them all or none. If you are going for a restoration, it is always cheaper to buy someone else's older restoration than do it yourself. I have often done that.

[Andy]

There is a reason people buy used race cars, customized hot rods and stick built custom homes. The original owner did the heavy lifting on cost. I'd be cautious of any thought of recouping your investment, it may never happen, or it may. Aren't you glad you're here now?

[Mike of the Mountain]

I'll never say never, so you will usually not recoup the $$ you put into restoring a shotgun. If you restore a gun and then want to move it, you'll have to just smile while chewing on the loss. As the saying goes, "It is what it is."

[Ryan Lux]

Thank you, everyone, for all your awesome information! I have had this gun in the family for so many years.....I guess for now it will just remain a treasured conversation piece