Gunsmith for Rusty Antique Winchester 1902

[SugarGnar]

Wife inherited a Winchester model 1902 .22 S/L/LR built in 1906 from her Grandmother. Her Grandmother won it or was gifted it (depending on the story) when doing shooting competitions during WWII, she was one of the P-51 Mustang "Rosie the Riveters". This rifle has some history and meaning within the family, unfortunately, it also has just as much surface rust. I can take it apart and internals are mostly shiny and functioning with exception of the feed tube is rust-locked in place. I doubt it'll see blued metal again but getting it rust free and fully functioning again is the goal. Anyone in the PNW area specialize in restoring something like this? I'm up in Blaine WA but willing to travel the area if need be.

TLDR; Need smith good with cleaning rust that can make old rifle go pew pew again.

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[Member 24198]

Go big or go home. Send her to Turnbull Restoration.

 

[orygun]

Talk to Tim at Copeland Custom Gunworks.
He's on this forum as @Velzey

 

[arrowshooter]

For surface rust you just might want to pickup some 0000 Steel Wool and go after it yourself with some gun oil. Start wiping lightly to preserve as much bluing as you can, then increase pressure from there if the rust is heavier. As for the feed tube, give the three mounting spots a good oil soak with your favorite penetrating oil, and clean the rust off as much of it as you can. After you remove the pin you can start working it out. It might take you a minute but you'll get it out. The two mounts on the barrel twist into place, but you'll be able to get them off with some pliers with padded jaws, or a small padded steel bar. Just be gentle. The mounts, tube and plunger have been available aftermarket if need be.

As for the bore, start with a few oiled patches to see what you have to work with in there. If it looks rough, use only a nylon brush to see if it is just gunk or if it is corroded out. That could be a whole 'nuther journey.

Have fun, it is definitely a worthwhile project.

 

[91558]

Wife inherited a Winchester model 1902 .22 S/L/LR built in 1906 from her Grandmother. Her Grandmother won it or was gifted it (depending on the story) when doing shooting competitions during WWII, she was one of the P-51 Mustang "Rosie the Riveters". This rifle has some history and meaning within the family, unfortunately, it also has just as much surface rust. I can take it apart and internals are mostly shiny and functioning with exception of the feed tube is rust-locked in place. I doubt it'll see blued metal again but getting it rust free and fully functioning again is the goal. Anyone in the PNW area specialize in restoring something like this? I'm up in Blaine WA but willing to travel the area if need be.

TLDR; Need smith good with cleaning rust that can make old rifle go pew pew again.

Have you talked to Tenex?They're close and might be able to give you some pointers.

 

[TKB]

Wife inherited a Winchester model 1902 .22 S/L/LR built in 1906 from her Grandmother. Her Grandmother won it or was gifted it (depending on the story) when doing shooting competitions during WWII, she was one of the P-51 Mustang "Rosie the Riveters". This rifle has some history and meaning within the family, unfortunately, it also has just as much surface rust. I can take it apart and internals are mostly shiny and functioning with exception of the feed tube is rust-locked in place. I doubt it'll see blued metal again but getting it rust free and fully functioning again is the goal. Anyone in the PNW area specialize in restoring something like this? I'm up in Blaine WA but willing to travel the area if need be.

TLDR; Need smith good with cleaning rust that can make old rifle go pew pew again.

Hi, I have been restoring guns for over 40 years including several of your Winchester model 1902's. Would be glad to help you . Problem is that I am in Sequim, WA. A 3hr trip from you. Here is a picture of a Savage model 1899 that I restored . It was also covered in rust. Call me at 360 683 9899. Tim

 

[arrowshooter]

Here is a picture of a Savage model 1899 that I restored

Dude, that's GORGEOUS!

 

[ORhutner]

Wife inherited a Winchester model 1902 .22 S/L/LR built in 1906 from her Grandmother. Her Grandmother won it or was gifted it (depending on the story) when doing shooting competitions during WWII, she was one of the P-51 Mustang "Rosie the Riveters". This rifle has some history and meaning within the family, unfortunately, it also has just as much surface rust. I can take it apart and internals are mostly shiny and functioning with exception of the feed tube is rust-locked in place. I doubt it'll see blued metal again but getting it rust free and fully functioning again is the goal. Anyone in the PNW area specialize in restoring something like this? I'm up in Blaine WA but willing to travel the area if need be.

TLDR; Need smith good with cleaning rust that can make old rifle go pew pew again.

Another to check out is McCluskey Arms in Eugene. I know they do a lot of rust removal/function work all the way to full restoration. They are also setup to work with you on shipping both ways. You can check out there website to get some ideas on their work and general pricing.

 

[Velzey]

Be careful who you send it off to. Don't want someone that going to take a wire wheel and steel wool to it. Allot of old Winchesters can be beautiful again with some TLC. I would start off by boiling all the metal in distilled water and converting the rust to red oxide. Then card off all the rust with a carding wheel. That might just take all the visible rust right off. Work the wood over if needed and assemble and enjoy.
But please don't just let someone take steel or bronze wool to it. That would be awful.

 

[Mark W.]

I'm confused there is no "feed tube" on a Winchester Model 1902 which is a single shot Bolt action .22 Also model 1902's were chambered in .22 short and Long Not until after about serial number 70,000 were they chambered in .22 extra long all three being blackpowder cartridges.If your rifle is stamped with short long long rifle then it is technically a model 1902A But still a single shot bolt action with no feed tube.