Ruining a 114 year old Winchester: 1894 Restoration

I rust blue and make a new stock for a Winchester 94 chambered in 30 WCF (30-30) that was made in 1910. This was a long process and many would say that I ruined the history or shouldn't use a gun that old. After the "restoration" I use the gun just like I would a new one. These lever action guns are fun to shoot and are versatile in many hunting or target shooting scenarios.

[@bruceperry4770]

Enjoyed watching. Great work and patience. Use it, that’s what it’s made for. Thanks again for filming and letting us be a part of it.

[@jamess.829]

I did not expect to be blown away by this video. I really expected the opposite. First of all I must say that you are an extremely talented man and you did an outstanding job on this project. It sort of reminded me of how they probably did the work so long ago. I had to watch several YT videos before I took mine apart. Also had to watch videos for putting it back together again. You are brave. Great job. Your son watched you work on this gun so just imagine how special it will be to him someday. I have my father's 94 that he bought in 1948 and it is very special to me. I already let my son know that it belongs to him.

[@Makingitwild]

Thank you. I have a few guns that were passed on to me so this one will be passed along with those others.

[@jonathonmcmillan9410]

Good stuff!

[@davidcollins.firstplaceeve6005]

I like the wood work. It looks great.

[@Makingitwild]

Thanks. Not the ideal tools to use but you have to make do with what you have.

[@normanfrazier6695]

You done an excellent job

[@Makingitwild]

Thank you

[@robertnorth740]

Pretty darn good restoration if you ask me. I really enjoy your pack trips. I love the gila especially the black range.

[@Makingitwild]

@@robertnorth740 thank you.

[@155michaelx]

awesome

[@mogulrider]

Its your rifle. If it makes you happy then that is all that matters. Besides making a few 100 bucks by keeping it rough never made sense to me. Its a nice usable, safe rifle now. Enjoy

[@Makingitwild]

That was my thought as well. Even a real restoration would make worth enough not to use it.

[@leverfever375]

Rust blue is the correct finish for that era , they didnt hot blue untill later on

[@TheUncleRuckus]

Hey firearms are meant to be used not collecting dust. 👍👍 I shoot all my antiques including my WWII guns. I love Formbys tung oil finish, it used to be my go to wood finish for years until those dicks at minwax bought them out and shutdown the factory. Still think they should've kept it open and sold it under their name bc minwaxs tung oil finish absolutely blows, it will not harden up like formbys does. Made mistake of trying to use it the way I did formbys and it was still tacky over 6 months later in a shop kept at 40% humidity.

[@Makingitwild]

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be sure to stay away from the minwax tung oil.

[@ntme6506]

So that does not have proof steel and could have issues with high powered ammo. Shoot low powered ammo have fun.

[@jamess.829]

Any year of the 30wcf guns can shoot modern 30-30 rounds. They are fairly low pressure rounds which that gun was designed for. The only 94 that would be in question would be the first year 1894 models that were actually still designed for a black powder cartridge. 1895 and beyond were designed for the smokeless cartridges.

[@leverfever375]

I see nothing ruined, it was a rusty pile and now its not. Collectors need to stop calling pitting patina

[@Makingitwild]

@@leverfever375 thanks. I like old stuff but I like it better if it’s functional.

[@leverfever375]

I have a few here ive redone you cant even tell