No. 7 — Restoration & heirloom work
Restoration and heirloom work.
Granddad’s deer rifle. The shotgun that came down through the family. Done slowly, and only after a conversation about whether it should be done at all.
- Starting at
- $75
- Bench time
- 4–8 weeks
When you need this.
- A gun came to you with a story and you’d like to shoot it safely.
- There’s rust on it and you want it stopped before it goes further.
- You don’t know exactly what it is, or what it’s chambered for.
- You’re wondering whether to have it refinished.
Refinishing a collectible firearm usually lowers its value to a collector, and it takes away the wear your family put there. Often the right job is to clean it, stop the rust, make it safe to shoot, and leave the rest alone. We’ll say so before any work is done; the heirloom evaluation (starting at $75) is all you’d owe.
The work and what it costs.
| Service | Starting at | Bench time | Drop-off or send |
|---|---|---|---|
Heirloom evaluation and written planWe look it over and write down what we’d do, what we’d leave alone, and what it would cost.What this involves: Heirloom evaluation and written planThe gun is identified as far as it honestly can be, and its condition recorded. The plan often recommends less work than you expected. | $75 | 2–4 wks | Drop off at the shop in Boerne. Ask before sending a whole firearm. |
Conservation cleanRust stopped, decades of old oil and dirt removed, the original finish kept.What this involves: Conservation cleanNo refinishing, no polishing, nothing that can’t be undone. It is usually the right answer for a gun with history. | $150 | 2–4 wks | Drop off at the shop in Boerne. Ask before sending a whole firearm. |
Make it safe to shoot againTired springs replaced, timing or feeding corrected, headspace checked, test fired.What this involves: Make it safe to shoot againThe mechanism is brought back to working order with as few new parts as will do. Old parts can take months to find, and we’ll tell you when we’re waiting on one. | $150 | 4–8 wks | Drop off at the shop in Boerne. Ask before sending a whole firearm. |
Metal restorationThe metal polished by hand, keeping edges and lettering sharp, and rust blued.What this involves: Metal restorationHand polishing is what separates a restoration from a refinish: a buffing wheel rounds corners and washes out markings. It is slow by nature. | $650 | 12–16 wks | Drop off at the shop in Boerne. Ask before sending a whole firearm. |
Stock restorationCracks repaired, dents steamed, the wood refinished in oil and the checkering recut.What this involves: Stock restorationAs much original wood as possible is kept. Old oil is drawn out, repairs are made, and the finish is built back up by hand. | $350 | 8–12 wks | Drop off at the shop in Boerne. Parts can be mailed. |
Complete restorationMetal, wood and mechanics brought back together as one job, to an agreed plan.What this involves: Complete restorationIt starts with the evaluation and a written plan you’ve approved, and it runs for months. You get a written record of what was done. | $1,500 | 16–36 wks | Drop off at the shop in Boerne. Ask before sending a whole firearm. |
Labor only. Parts and ammunition are extra. Confirmed once it’s on the bench.Refinishing a collectible firearm usually lowers its collector value. We’ll talk about that before anything is touched.
What changes the price.
- How much is left alone. Conservation costs far less than restoration.
- Parts for old guns. Some take months to find.
- Hand polishing, which keeps edges and lettering sharp and cannot be rushed.
In December 1875 a Texas Ranger named James Gillett paid forty dollars of his own for a Winchester carbine, the new Model 1873. He gave its number in his memoir, forty-six years later: “I got carbine number 13,401, and for the next six years of my ranger career I never used any other weapon.” Some rifles are kept for a reason.
How long it will take.
The shop takes one job at a time, and only work it can do well. When yours could start is settled at the consultation, and your dates come in writing when the job is accepted.
- Reply
- within3business days
- Bench
- 4–8weeks
The bench time is the work itself, for the usual job of this kind. Each job’s own figure is in the ledger above.
Restoration & heirloom work
Replies by email within 3 business days.
Questions about this kind of work.
Should I have my grandfather’s rifle refinished?
Maybe not. Refinishing an old gun usually lowers its value to a collector, and it takes away the wear your grandfather put there. Often the right job is to clean it, stop any rust, make it safe to shoot, and leave the rest alone. We’ll talk it through before anything is touched.
What’s the difference between bluing and a ceramic coating?
Bluing is the traditional finish: a thin layer of black oxide formed on the steel itself. It’s handsome, and it needs a little oil now and then. A ceramic coating is sprayed on and baked. It’s tougher against sweat and rain and comes in many colors, but it doesn’t look like a blued rifle. Neither is wrong. It depends on the gun and how you use it.
How long will it take?
It depends on the job. The time each one usually takes is printed beside it on the price list. The shop takes one job at a time, so when yours could start is settled at the consultation. You get your dates in writing when the job is accepted, and an email if they change.