J. Stevens 22 long rifle

Question
 Dear Sid,
I have a J. Stevens single shot lever action 22 long rifle,  Patent date April 22 1913. It is missing the stock and some what pitted, I'm concidering having it restored to new condition. As it was left to me from my Father. I was quoated a price of 300.00 dollars to restore as all the original shooting parts are in tact. This would include removing the pitting , rebluing and a new stock. Do you think it would be better left as is or restored. My reasoning for restoration is purely sentamental. The person doing the restoration said it was a Crack shot Cadet model. As it is a rather small rifle. He said that not many where made maybe 500? Any comments would be appreciated.  

Answer
Michelle,

I actually have some mixed feelings about issues like this one. In general I advise to not put the time/money into this type of restoration and to instead just keep it as is due to its sentimental value.

What you need to consider is do you actually want the gun looking totally differently than when you acquired it? If that is OK with you, go forward. If on the other hand you end up seeing this firearm after restored as just another (different) rifle...... you have actually removed much of the "sentimental value". It will not come back to you looking much like it does now.

I realize that this is not a complete/direct answer. However please keep in mind that there really is no right answer to this. Having it appear the same as it did when new would be great if it were not for the history of the gun.

Maybe you could "split the difference" by just having a new stock (to match original equipment)put on it and then storing it as is with the new stock only. Its just a thought.

I hope this helps point you in the "best" direction. I will tell you that if it were my Dad's old rifle that he left to me, I personally wouldn't change a thing on it. But as they say....... "that's just me".

Sid Lark