Savage model1899 25-35 worth restoring?

odsixer · December 19, 2010, 05:28 PM

So I've inherited this savage takedown with a curved butt plate. It sits in pieces in a box, in pretty rough shape, the bluing is gone and theres a bit of pitting, the stock is pretty dinged up.
How do i find out when this gun was made and if it is worth repairing?

Thanks

jaguarxk120 · December 19, 2010, 08:45 PM

Go on gun broker and find out what they are asking for them. You will restore it.

odsixer · December 19, 2010, 11:42 PM

It was made in 1910 according to the serial #, and someone has apparently already started sanding it down

odsixer · December 19, 2010, 11:50 PM

odsixer · December 19, 2010, 11:56 PM

The stock is pretty beat up also

HiBC · December 20, 2010, 05:14 AM

I'm just another shooter,not an expert,so,just an opinion.
It is what it is,how you received it.You will get some unhappy feedback about "If only....." Whats done is done.Now what?
Condition is very important on collector rifles.It was not pristine.The wear of it's honest history lowered the value,but it may have still been best to not sand on it.An honest original may still be a shooter,and there are ways to gently optimize the original patina.
Even a careful,well done reblue won't quite go with the original wood.
You will need a gunsmith to see if it will be mechanically safe and sound for a shooter.
From there,I think I would go with trying to restore an aged patina look,not doing any harm,letting it be what it is.
If I was doing it for myself,I have used a Mark Lee browning solution for muzzle loaders,but wih a boiling water tank,and carding the rust.I get a rich black coffee finish.I would not try to polish out all the flaws,maybe just deal with any sanding scratches.Murphy's oil soap,without getting the wood water soaked,or even a little acetone or laquer thinner to just clean some of the old oil off the wood,then some fresh oiling and rubbing.

Scorch · December 20, 2010, 10:40 AM

Stop and consider whether or not you want to take the time to do it right. Your rifle needs new wood, and it needs to be reblued. Total for that will run about $400 if you do some of the work yourself ($150 for wood, $100 for rebluing, and a few parts, and lots of work), more if you just farm it out. You will likely have more invested in the rifle than it is worth (reblued 99s sell for about $350).

If you are interested in selling it as is, I am in the market for an 1899.

steve99f · December 22, 2010, 04:29 PM

A well done restoration will never return your money from a collector in North America. It's a shooter if the barrel isn't roached and is otherwise safe to shoot.

December 19, 2010, 05:28 PM	#1
odsixer Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Location: great white north Posts: 316	Savage model1899 25-35 worth restoring? So I've inherited this savage takedown with a curved butt plate. It sits in pieces in a box, in pretty rough shape, the bluing is gone and theres a bit of pitting, the stock is pretty dinged up. How do i find out when this gun was made and if it is worth repairing? Thanks

December 20, 2010, 10:40 AM	#7
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Stop and consider whether or not you want to take the time to do it right. Your rifle needs new wood, and it needs to be reblued. Total for that will run about $400 if you do some of the work yourself ($150 for wood, $100 for rebluing, and a few parts, and lots of work), more if you just farm it out. You will likely have more invested in the rifle than it is worth (reblued 99s sell for about $350). If you are interested in selling it as is, I am in the market for an 1899. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 19, 2010, 08:45 PM	#2
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	Go on gun broker and find out what they are asking for them. You will restore it.

December 19, 2010, 11:42 PM	#3
odsixer Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Location: great white north Posts: 316	It was made in 1910 according to the serial #, and someone has apparently already started sanding it down

December 19, 2010, 11:50 PM	#4
odsixer Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Location: great white north Posts: 316

December 19, 2010, 11:56 PM	#5
odsixer Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2007 Location: great white north Posts: 316	The stock is pretty beat up also

December 20, 2010, 05:14 AM	#6
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,288	I'm just another shooter,not an expert,so,just an opinion. It is what it is,how you received it.You will get some unhappy feedback about "If only....." Whats done is done.Now what? Condition is very important on collector rifles.It was not pristine.The wear of it's honest history lowered the value,but it may have still been best to not sand on it.An honest original may still be a shooter,and there are ways to gently optimize the original patina. Even a careful,well done reblue won't quite go with the original wood. You will need a gunsmith to see if it will be mechanically safe and sound for a shooter. From there,I think I would go with trying to restore an aged patina look,not doing any harm,letting it be what it is. If I was doing it for myself,I have used a Mark Lee browning solution for muzzle loaders,but wih a boiling water tank,and carding the rust.I get a rich black coffee finish.I would not try to polish out all the flaws,maybe just deal with any sanding scratches.Murphy's oil soap,without getting the wood water soaked,or even a little acetone or laquer thinner to just clean some of the old oil off the wood,then some fresh oiling and rubbing.

December 22, 2010, 04:29 PM	#8
steve99f Member Join Date: November 25, 2010 Posts: 19	A well done restoration will never return your money from a collector in North America. It's a shooter if the barrel isn't roached and is otherwise safe to shoot.