1948 JC Higgins restoration

General firearm discussions that do not fit in our specific firearm-related forums.
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Freezer
Posts: 859
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2023 9:51 am

1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Freezer »

I know they're not collectable or even desirable but I can't help myself. This one belonged to my hunting partners BIL's father. He bought it new and the family wanted him to have it when the ol boy passed. Tom passed it on to his son. It had been used a lot and looked it. the bluing was gone, the stock had cracked but was repaired well. Someone sprayed it with varathane, then Tom started to refinish it, He lost interest. This gun came out well and the stock has some serious grain. My great nephew Ryan, Tom's son wants to get a turkey with it this year then use it as a wall hanger.
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Last edited by Freezer on Tue Feb 03, 2026 9:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Zee
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Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 2:23 pm

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Zee »

Wow! That’s beautiful!!
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
Wambli Ska
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Wambli Ska »

Damn!!! 😍
Diver43
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Diver43 »

That looks Really Nice.
sakodude
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by sakodude »

Very nice work!
Elk Creek
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Elk Creek »

Wow!!! Those old stock are awesome. Nice work
JunkCollector
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by JunkCollector »

Did that one have the recall ?
It was for the 12 gauge ones.
Pretty serious recall so take heed
Pretty stock
Freezer
Posts: 859
Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2023 9:51 am

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Freezer »

It might be, I'll have to dive a little deeper into this one. My research showed it was because of the screw that retains the bolt. If that bolt is damaged or broken the bolt could travel backwards though I can't see how if the bolt is in its correct position. This is the second I've restored and the first had a bolt that Bubba broke half the head off the screw. IIRC this is a copy of the High Standard model 10. This shotgun was used a lot the lack of bluing and cracked stock were evidence of it.

Information on the recall: https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/jc ... ad.174734/
Big Al1
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Big Al1 »

Turned out great! Good looking wood for an economy shotgun!
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GrapeApe
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by GrapeApe »

Looks good Freezer
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
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CPJ 2.0
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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

That wood is so nice it makes me wonder if it wasn’t replaced at some time. That’s a nice piece of wood for a nice gun, let alone a budget shotgun!
And I’m a total sucker for bolt action shotguns. I have no reason why, but it’s true
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Freezer
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Joined: Sat Jun 24, 2023 9:51 am

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by Freezer »

I don't think this was a replacement. The stock was cracked at one time on the top of the grip. Someone removed a little wood, opened the crack and repaired the area with epoxy, a very good repair. The finish on it was not the same quality of the repair so I think this gun was tinkered with at least twice before I put my hands to it. I need to work on the recoil pad a little other than that I'm happy with it.
T'owd Mon
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Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2023 10:52 am

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Post by T'owd Mon »

I remember many years ago getting hold of one of those old bolt action Marlin goose guns with the enormously long barrels and doing it up just for fun. I passed it on so can't remember what happened to it. Never used in anger and just shot a few clays with it to see how it performed.
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