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Colt, Luger, Mannlicher-Schoenauer, Marlin, Mauser, Merwin-Hulbert, Parker, Remington, Savage, Sharps, L.C. Smith, Smith & Wesson, Stevens, US Springfield Armory, Webley, Winchester and more. . .

Repair & shipping information

REPAIR ESTIMATES, ESTIMATE FEES & etc.

What kinds of guns do we repair? Basically, all firearms of quality manufacture, from matchlocks to perussion to early cartridge single shots and repeaters to modern semi-automatic weapons.

How much will this cost? Each gun and each job are usually quite different, usually it depends on how the weapon has been treated and this will often dictate the extent of the work involved. We cannot give sight-unseen estimates for repair, refurbishment or restoration projects without having examined the project first in-person. Photos may help to give you a "ball-park" guess but there is no substitute for hands-on inspection. Our shop is not open to the public and we work on a mail-order basis only, so you will need to send us your project for evaluation. Pricing?

Are there any fees involved for the repair estimate itself? Yes. We charge a minimum fee of $20.00 per weapon for the repair estimate. The minimum fee will cover almost all estimates, unless considerable custom work or extensive restoration is involved. If you decide to have work performed, the estimate fee is deducted from your total bill. Estimate fee(s) should be included with your project, along with basic shipping & packing charges, as outlined below.

Please be sure to include you full name and shipping address, telephone number and your e-mail address if you have one.

For customers who have access to the Internet: Your estimate will be published on a web page at my web site and with a private address which only you and us will have. In this way you may view and download your estimate at your liesure and you have the option of starting the work much quicker by paying with a credit card.

How long will the antique work take? If you are in a hurry to get you project done, I will tell you right up front that I probably can't help you. The antique side of the shop is a one-man operation and demand is heavy. Depending on what sort of work is involved, work can take some time to get back, perhaps several months for mechanical repairs to a year or even more for really extensive work. An estimated turn-around time for your job will be included with each repair estimate.
How long will modern and military work take? This all depends on our workload when your job arrives, as well as on how extensive the work on your gun is. Normally, we try to get minor repairs and cleaning work out in under 60 days, heavy repair and refinishing will be on quotation when we estimate your job, but it is almost always faster than antique work.
Do you offer a guarantee? While it is not possible to guarantee any antique or obsolete firearm or its parts; since we did not manufacture either, we do stand by our workmanship 100%. If for any reason you are unhappy with any of the work we do, you have the option of sending the gun back, explain what you are unhappy with and if it is within our power to do so, we will make it right for you. I have stood by this simple policy for 35 years and can count the times I have had to honor it on the fingers of one hand.
Why don't we list a telephone number? For the simple reason that this is a two-man shop and we want to keep it that way. Experience has shown that If we had to answer the volume of telephone calls the Internet brings, we would not get much work done. If you need to chat or to ask questions before you ship that is fine; if we can handle it by e-mail that will be great (please try, we prefer it), if not, e-mail me your phone number along with an idea of what you require, I try to return calls in the late afternoon eastern time.
How can you pay for the work? We accept cash, personal checks, money orders or Visa/MasterCard/DiscoverCard or Amex as payment. On larger jobs (over $1000.) we have offered the option of cash or check time-payments and if you are interested, depending on the amount we can perhaps spread the payments out over 3 to as long as 6 months. Time payments will slow down the turn-around a bit, on the other hand; we don't charge interest on the balance due, nor do we make a service charge for the extra paperwork we have to account for. We are delighted to have your business and would be more than happy to work with you to see that your project gets done.

SHIPPING INFORMATION, BE SURE TO INCLUDE:: Basic shipping & packing charges and the estimate fees with any weapons you send for repair estimates. Please make your check payable to David R. Chicoine, NOT to oldwestgunsmith.com.; Basic shipment includes charges for shipment and to cover our costs for packing. Insurance costs are additional, shipment by FedEx is also available.; When you ship to us: Be sure to request a return receipt or an adult signature at delivery; this mandates the delivery person to actually hand the package to one of us at delivery. We suggest you also insure the weapon against damage or loss for at least its replacement value.
E-mail me for a shipping address before you ship your weapon and/or if you need to chat before you ship.
dave@oldwestgunsmith.com
Basic shipping & packing: check with the carrier to determine insurance costs.: include a minimum of $35.00 each antique hand gun / $40.00 for 2 guns in 1 box. Plus insurance costs.; include a minimum of $40.00 each long gun. Plus insurance costs.; include a minimum of $45.00 each modern hand gun from an individual for FedEx, or $35. if dealer to dealer. Plus insurance costs.

How do you ship a firearm? Under the 1968 Gun Control Act, an individual may legally ship their firearm(s) to a manufacturer or a licensed Federal Firearms dealer for repair or customization. We are a licensed Federal Firearms (FFL) dealer. Firearms manufactured before 1898 are classified by the BATF as antiques and are not subject to regulation, firearms manufactured 1899 and later are subject to federal regulation.

For valuable antiques, we highly recommend using USPS Registered-Insured Mail. In our experience this service offers the safest delivery method for a treasured antique and insurance on Registered Mail is very reasonable. This service requires that you close all package seams with brown paper tape but the added trouble is well worth the safe, dependable service.

Antique firearms may be legally shipped by any method you chose.

Modern handguns may not be shipped using the Postal Service (except dealer to dealer), an individual has to use FedEx or UPS overnight services. Free overnight shipping containers are available from either service.

If you are having trouble getting your local UPS or FedEx depot to accept your firearm shipment; get yourself a free FedEx overnight box, pack the handgun well in that box and contact me; we will arrange to have FedEx send a driver to your home to pick the box up.

Addressing: Never put any mention of firearms, guns or gunsmiths on the outside of the package! You should address the package directly to David R. Chicoine at the address we will give you when you e-mail prior to shipment.

Packing: Pack your firearms well, wrap them in thick padding so they cannot move around inside the container. When guns are poorly packed they are more likely to be damaged or lost and (with some justification) the carrier may not pay your insurance claim. As examples of poor packing, we have had several boxes delivered with a rifle or shotgun muzzle sticking out several inches from one end of the box.