Lanes Musketeer "rustoration" project valuation please...

[averageplinker]

Hi all,
I am having to review my shooting activities and inventory and have come to the inevitable conclusion that I have more than I need/want/have time for. First up on my list of items for disposal is a really rough Lanes Musketeer in .177 smoothbore. A few of you may have seen my intermittent threads on this airgun over the last few years.

With all my good intentions all I have done to it is treat the woodworm as soon as I got it, partially strip it and gently rub the metal work down with ultra fine wire wool and oil. I think the time has come to admit that it is beyond my tinkering skills and has been left virtually untouched for so long because frankly I am scared of finishing it off rather than rescuing it.

It is missing the front sight and one of the screws that holds the metal but cap on. One of the screws on the side of the trigger housing is seized and one is free. The trigger spring is kinked. The cocking link appears bent, possibly due to an overly stiff spring being fitted in the past? The spring in it now does not seem to be a monster? The bluing has been replaced by "browning" which some may consider to be patina and some may consider to be halted rust! The wood work is chipped dented and riddled with wood worm holes.

On the good side the numbers match and the writing on the breech and barrel are legible. Here are a few pictures I took today of the rifle in its current state....

https://imgur.com/h23Crmh
https://imgur.com/kx0CDqW
https://imgur.com/rdtNxnm
https://imgur.com/SBVXSjw
https://imgur.com/HJcro3S
https://imgur.com/dbjzet8
https://imgur.com/V2pQuos
https://imgur.com/wtaZdVo
https://imgur.com/kIPFtTw
https://imgur.com/jvZExW9

The shiny bolt is a modern item that I was hoping to use in place of the original stock bolt which has insufficient remaining thread to re-use.

So what is this little rifle worth as it is? Is it worth more split as parts? Is there a market for Lanes parts? I know some may consider breaking it as sacrilege but if it can help keep better examples working then it has to be considered. Anyway, over to you more knowledgeable folk than me for your vieww.
Cheers
Rich.

[pjbingham]

Could be a thing of beauty once again, my vote would be to save rather than break it.

[averageplinker]

Wow only one response, I must have done something to incur the wrath of the valuation gods! Or is everyone too distracted by thoughts of what they are hoping to buy at Binners' upcoming shindig

[pjbingham]

Wow only one response, I must have done something to incur the wrath of the valuation gods! Or is everyone too distracted by thoughts of what they are hoping to buy at Binners' upcoming shindig

Looks that way I’m afraid I wouldn’t really have a clue as to value, I think it’s genuinely one of those ‘worth what someone’s willing to pay’ times. It would be a labour of love I think, I read back through your past posts on it and I see you have owned it a while now. Sometimes projects that are slow burners can fizzle out and it takes abit of renewed enthusiasm to finish it. Personally I think it’s a very worthwhile project and certainly worth saving. Atb Phil

[averageplinker]

Cheers Phil. The lack of suggestions is strangely motivating me to have another crack at it. Now I wonder how it would look with a laminate stock and a hammerite paint job?

[pjbingham]

I am suprised at the lack of response,maybe it's just a little to far gone for some to be interested in although you had positive feedback on your previous posts so I'm not sure.
If you have the skills to finish it I say go for it. If it were me I would make another stock, I would always be worrying about one woodworm surviving and having fun at the expense of my other rifles. Although quite simple in design it's not a Resto for the beginner I guess but most that tinker would get it sorted. I'm hoping to pick up a few winter projects at Binners bash on Sunday

[averageplinker]

I may bump into you at Kempton then. I will be trying really hard not to spend much money but suspect I may fail :-)

[pjbingham]

I failed on that score last time. Yep barring any major disasters I will be there,I’m easy to spot I’m the devastatingly handsome one

[averageplinker]

We must be twins!

[Jimny4x4]

Am dipping me toes into the collecting lark , but from what I have read - not a lot - so nothing much to read is available on this gun - so rare ?
I'd keep it and do it up mate .