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1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 9:46 pm
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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Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 9:48 pm
by Zee
Wow! That’s beautiful!!

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 9:51 pm
by Wambli Ska
Damn!!! 😍

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 10:15 pm
by Diver43
That looks Really Nice.

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 11:08 pm
by sakodude
Very nice work!

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2026 11:24 pm
by Elk Creek
Wow!!! Those old stock are awesome. Nice work

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 12:21 am
by JunkCollector
Did that one have the recall ?
It was for the 12 gauge ones.
Pretty serious recall so take heed
Pretty stock

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 11:18 am
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/

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 2:54 pm
by Big Al1
Turned out great! Good looking wood for an economy shotgun!

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 4:44 pm
by GrapeApe
Looks good Freezer

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 5:13 pm
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

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 7:58 pm
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.

Re: 1948 JC Higgins restoration

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:32 am
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.