Savage model1899 25-35 worth restoring?
- Thread starter odsixer
- Start date
jaguarxk120
New member
Go on gun broker and find out what they are asking for them. You will restore it.
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.
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.
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.
If you are interested in selling it as is, I am in the market for an 1899.