I have a L C Smith 00 grade ejector gun with 30 inch barrels and a 61xxE serial number. The gun came to me as part of an estate and I have started the clean up process and now realize that the project is more than I can handle. The stock is not cracked but needs the checkering recut, refinishing and perhaps some glass work. The metal needs the remaining surface pits removed and the receiver case hardened and the barrels blued. The bores of the gun looks good and will not need attention. My question is how much $ can I put into this gun with some hope of not ending too far in the hole. I am not looking to make money on the project but I would like to avoid a money pit.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
jlb
If the gun is mechanicly good and ready to shoot,,you don't need to put anything into it to enjoy it.
A long bbl'd 20ga ejector LCS is a very desirable shotgun both as a shooter and as a collectible.
It's checkering is worn right now as well as it;s stock finish,,so what,,it's 100+ yrs old.
Bbl finsh worn?,,no kidding,,so it got used,,but the bores are great. That means great for you to shoot. A few pits in the frame and other metal parts,,so do they make the gun unsafe or otherwise compromise the mechanics of the piece. They get that way from use and sometimes misuse. But that's the guns history. It didn't sit in a gun cabinet I'd bet.
It may need some attention as far as glass bedding but does not have a cracked stock. Then do the repair to satisfy what ever the need is and leave it at that.
Then take it out and gently enjoy it as it has already been for the last century.
Making it 'like new again' is way over done IMO. Just 'cause it can be done doesn't mean everything in sight should be shined up and made glittery.
Leave it as original as possible. I'm sure someone else would be more than willing to take it off your hands in that condition should you get tired of it.
jmo
