winchester model 55 lever action restoration

[Loud by design]

hey everyone, its been a while since ive been on here but im taking on a new project. ive recently inherited a Winchester model 55 from my grandmother when my grandfather passed. this gun was made in 1929 and bought new by my great grandfather who then passed the gun down to my grandfather who then passed it down to me. the gun was left inside a plastic bag many years ago and is in pretty rough shape. there is some pitting and rust on it though nothing it rusted enough to where it could jeopardize the guns structural integrity, all of the damage is strictly cosmetic besides the magazine tube which had to be replaced. though this gun has lost most of its monetary value because of its condition it still has a ton of sentimental value to me because it has been passed down through my family and was given to me by a man that i admired greatly growing up. anyway im looking for a gunsmith to bring this gun back as close to its original shape when it came out of the factory as possible. i have seen some of the work of turnbull and other restoration specialists but unfortunately i do not have room in my budget for anything like that. im looking to hopefully get the metal of this rifle restored and the rifle back to functioning condition for around 600 and maybe a full restoration for 1,000. if anyone has any suggestions on what i can or should do at this point let me know. also if anyone knows of a gunsmith or company that does good work for the price range im trying to stay in please let me know. if anyone needs anymore information please let me know and i will try to clarify it as best i can. thanks again

 

[Loud by design]

No one on here does restoration work or knows of someone who does good work?

 

[shortgrass]

No one on here does restoration work or knows of someone who does good work?

Some do restorations. $1000 is NOT a realistic figuer for what you want.

 

[Loud by design]

What price range would be realistic.

 

[shortgrass]

You've said you checked into Turnbull. What he does is have you send him the firearm. He evaluates what an approximate cost of the work you are requesting. You then can either accept his cost estimate or decline it and he'll ship the firearm back at your expense. Restoration work is best approched in this manner. The person or company who will do the work needs to know what is involve and how long it might take before any estimate can be given. Most restorations take alot more work than the owner can relay with an e-mail or a picture. Those that take on restoration work without examining it in person, usually end up working for $2.50 an hour. Even WalMart or McDonalds will start you out at $10/hr. and you won't have the overhead all business do. "Good" and "cheap" don't go together in the same sentence very well. I used to do some restorations, but that's why I won't hardly look at one, anymore.