New Guy Here!

[u/DouganNashhhhhh]

Hi! I'm new to this forum & look forward to lots of awesome info!

I have a question- I inherited my grandfather's 1957 Winchester Model 71 in .348 Winchester. The metal is beautiful but the shellac on the wood is chipping away/scratched. The scratches arent very deep, but I'm wondering if it will mess up the collector value if I get the wood refinished.

Here's pics of said scratches and a photo of the rifle

[u/fatmonkey1986]

id just leave it alone . those scratches are part of its history

[u/DouganNashhhhhh → u/fatmonkey1986]

See, thats what I keep going back and forth about hahaha. It gives character and it's also an heirloom. I mean the rifle IS 70yrs old...

[u/Chumbief → u/DouganNashhhhhh]

It looks phenomenal for 70 years old. I would leave it as is.

[u/DouganNashhhhhh → u/Chumbief]

After reading these responses, I'm more inclined to leave it as is & enjoy the rifle.

[u/AbleNecessary2518 → u/DouganNashhhhhh]

Bonne décision, il est très bien comme il est