Winchester Model 120 Refurb Advice

[benharding]

Hi there guys, seeing as this is my first post on here (long time lurker!) and i’m about to ask for some help (which is GREATLY appreciated in advance I might add!) I thought I would add a bit about myself before rudely just asking for help.

Firstly, I’m Ben, from Norfolk, and i’ve been into shooting for a good 3 years now, however in the last year or so i’ve been greatly interested in some mild restoration of any gun I could get my hands on, be it just the woodwork, or barrels, etc. Had some success with an old AYA Cosmos I picked up cheap which i’ll post about at some point, along with an old Bettinsoli I did, also which i’ll post some photos and some info from my discoveries when undertaking the project(s).

Which brings me to my question, I recently acquired this rather interesting Winchester Model 120, which seems to be in fact very similar to the Model 1300 albeit just a bit cheaper and crappier. Haha.

Being my first pump action, i’m very excited to own it, all except the colour which I am not too much of a fan of.

Seeing as i’m not planning on going to war anytime soon, my question is this, whats it going to take to restore this gun to some semblance of its former glory? With regards to removing the paint from the metal, and refinishing it a sort of stock black colour?

The wood i’ve got covered (open to suggestions though, of course!), its just the rest of it i’m concerned about. I don’t just want to throw it in a barrel of Nitromors and hope for the best. Haha. I’ve looked in the pump owners sticky, and have seen some lovely examples of what I’d like it to look like, that and looking up the gun itself on various internet sites, so sort of black metal, and a nice wood finish if possible as close to its stock look if poss.

So, ultimately i’d like some suggestions and some advice on this from people, if thats alright?

Worst comes to worst and you guys just suggest to leave it, i’ll just keep it to shoot pigeons and leave it as-is, or if anyone wants it, feel free to let me know.

Thanks a million in advance, and I look forward to any advice you can give!

A photo of the gun is attached.

[Scully]

Personally I'd leave that. I think it looks good as it is. The 120 if I recall was made from spares from the Model 12; the wood is generally a plain nondescript beech and isn't one of Winchesters more desirable pumps. Saying that it is a perfectly good and well made serviceable gun.

Whatever you do isn't going to add anything of great value to it, but again, it's entirely up to you.

[benharding]

It wasn't really to add to the value, it was just to bring it back to the way it used to look. If it's going to be mass loads of effort I will probably end up selling it. Cheers for the response though bud.