Been a few threads lately that make me assess levels of "Collector".

#1- Brutally serious collectors whom only want absolutely as close to perfect specimens in the safe, no tolerance for anything less.

#2- One rung down from #1 collector, who will tolerate some cosmetic blemishes, but in original condition, no noticeable field use.

#3- Those who want original condition, but will live with cosmetic blemishes from being used for their design intent, rarity factored in, and will still hunt them with care as that is their intended purpose.

#4- Those who like original grey rats with field use and character, and can tolerate a few minor alterations and will regularly shoot them and hunt em.

I understand the mentality of the #1 collector, am am glad there are a few of them around to insure the future of totally unmolested Savages remain so future generations can see them in all their glory.

The #2 collector is barely distinguishable from #1, but still won't take them out hunting even if the weather and terrain conditions aren't conducive to a flawless outing.

#3 is what I consider myself. EVERYTHING in my safe WILL go out and fill my freezer. I shoot all mine in rotation on a regular basis. I have heard, and said " If only this gun could talk". I understand the need for #1 and #2, but can't help but feel for the #1 people whom have NEVER shot their dream specimens. What the hell good is a pristine Savage 1895, 1899 or 99 that won't shoot for sheit. How do you know if you never put lead down range? Last year I took flak from co-workers for filling my freezer with my 1899-B. They said how can you take a 115 year old sweet gun out to the woods? It filled the freezer, and you know what? I looked as good when it came in as it did when it went out. I guess a #3 could be considered an "acquirrer.

#4 are folks who don't have thick wallets and still appreciate Savage levers for what they are. Dammmm good looking and dammmm fine shootin irons. Won't hesitate to refinish a sadly in need of stock, or reblue etc... to make it look like its former self.

I might be way off base, but I'll bet a pound of bologna a majority of folks on this sight relate to #3 and #4. As previously stated, #1 and #2 have their place, but economic reality's and personal convictions prevent a healthy amount of us from being #1 or #2.

Just my 2 cents. I might ruffle a few feathers, but it won't change my attitude or thoughts as to what I have put in text, but welcome difference of opinion.
Jerry

Sounds about right to me.

I would fall under 3 and/or 4, as well. Although, it would be hard not to shoot a 1 or a 2.......

I have a #4 in my safe now. Its a 99G, made in 1925 and was reblued, refinished with class, and I sent the lever to Canada to a gent that did great old school case hardening. The checkering looks better than any original in my safe, and it shoots absolutely great. Proud to own it, but its far from a "collector" grade, but I love it as if it were an original.
I have a couple in the safe that might pass as a #2 grade, but still hunt/ shoot em. However, I do draw a line at extra holes in em. (my 99T is the only exception, but rarity price reflected that.)

3.5 to 4

I have lots of #2, a few in #3, and only a couple in #4. I really don't care for gray unless there's something special that draws me to the gun. Of the 5 1920's I have, all have been altered in one way or another,,,,,,,,,,,,,but they all make me happy!!!!!!!!!!!

I think most are Okay with the grey rat, honest used for its purpose but not abused or added to. In the beginning I looked past grey rats because the collector world seemed to talk poorly about them and then when pictures of collections started showing up seemed to me lots of grey rats became safe rats.

I'm probably a 4-1/2, just one or two guns above "accumulator"....it's good to finally have a metric for this.

We should require our rank(le) in our public profiles before any comments are allowed to be submitted to this forum!

I'd be a number 5.....Accumulator.

If it blows my skirt up, I'll bring it home. Condition and originality be damned.

I think your assessment is spot on.

1+ Jerry! If I own it Ill shoot it, and Hunt it! but the few I have now, are all altered in some way! even my grey 1901 engraved B 303, all orinal but for the 1895 butt stock and plate! in the past I had some Dandys that are now owned by Friends, and Collectors on here! Once a Friend took a few of us out to shoot, we had a ball, I belive the cheapest rifle out there that afternoon was a 300 "K" I got to shoot probly one of the few Engraved SRC 1899 30-30 ever made!

I'd like to be a #1 or #2 but am closer to a #3. I don't shoot them all...not enough time.

"But they all make me happy" is the bottom line. No truer words were never spoken.You summed up in one line what I tried to say in multiple paragraphs. Happy hunting to all Savage collectors, regardless of what category you fall into.

I have some #1's, but they really piss me off just sitting there waiting to get safe dings. I guess I'm a shooter.

yep, what gregintenn said...certainly don't begrudge #1 or #2...I now own "17" 99's after buying my first 5 years ago and I do my best to keep'm looking good and real clean but I'm hunt'n with everyone of them cause when I'm gone it won't matter to me what happens to them anyway. I guess that makes me a #6 or #7 but man I love to shoot and hunt with all my 99's

I'm glad you guys started throwing all those 1/2's in there. I'm a 2 1/2. There's no way I'm going to shoot some of my 99's. But I do shoot and hunt with some of them. Some of you guys may remember me falling on a really nice DL in 284 and gouging the lever, receiver and stock out elk hunting last Fall. Every now and then a gray rat comes home with me too. I got a first year production gun last Fall that looks really bad. It came from a Sheriff's sale in Sweetwater county years ago. It's still got the name of the criminal it was confiscated from on some brown paper dated 1955 glued to the stock.

I range from a 2 to a 6... Though I'll happily grab 1's for the right price.

Prefer the ones with character more than the safe queens, but too many to shoot them all any more.

I am definitely a 4 - I can take the guns out hunting or shooting with qualms whatsoever and enjoy it too! Mel Chung

I'm probably a 4 as I buy what I want that I can afford and shoot everything that I own. That doesn't change the fact that this is a collector's forum, many of whom are 1s and 2s and if someone shows up with a pigs ear and is trying to pawn it off as a silk purse he's gonna get some flak.

I'm a 4 and some day I hope to own a couple "1's". I think I got lucky and got one "special gun" with the Malcolm, and I plan on hunting it early this year. I'm gonna try for the "Savage Slam" this year. Four bucks with four cartridges. I don't know if I could own a gun and not shoot it. Maybe not hunt it, but definitely some range time. I'm kinda wanting a rat to make a 270 Titus. I'd really like to find one that Titus built himself. I guess I'm just a hunter and gatherer, Joe.

I'd be somewhere around a 2 1/2. I own a few 99s that I've never shot, but it's not because I have chosen never to shoot them; I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I hunt and shoot the majority of the guns in the safe. I've never been a fan of new in the box rifles and I have actually sold a few guns because they were just too nice to shoot.

Somewhere around a 2 1/2. I really like nice condition and go to great pains to take care of my 99's. Wish I could afford to be a 1. In fact I have a NIB R in 243 that I'm planning on selling because I'm not going to hunt it and it seems a waste (for me) just to have it because it's NIB.

Steve

Maddening huh? That's why I'm waaaaay down the list.

Maddening huh? That's why I'm waaaaay down the list. [/quote)


Maddening it is....but it sure is fun being on the hunt(pun) for them!!
Love them 99's.

Steve

I'll say I fall into the 3-4 range; but if a 2 comes along at a reasonable price, I'd probably work my way up the scale, on an exception basis. Here's a "3.5" I picked up yesterday (1957 99F, .308).

Nice. Hope that goes out in November!

Was working on my land this last weekend. Carried along a new to me toy... think he's a solid 4.

Neat fence post pic.....things look OK there?

Some 1's and 2's , mostly 3's and a smathering of eclectic 4's.

Count me in at a 3-4.

1-4 on guns and everything else i collect,my wife says i collect serial numbers!

Rory 1915 hammerless? 380? looks very nice!

I sold the highest condition post-war and post-mil rifles to buy a few 1899s, an M1920 and an 1895, all with a lot of character but retaining original condition. The handful of rifles that remain are crazy accurate for that day and age or any day for that matter. The rifle that I paid the most for had the best provenance and character - go figure

So then, how do you rate yourself as a collector or accumulator if character, provenance and accuracy mean the most to you?

PS. The only one I really miss is a 250-3000 "EG" that went about 96%. Dang pretty gun. :-(

1-4 Only have one 1 as have another in same model that I can shoot. Thinking I have to many but every once in a while I see something that says I don't have enough. Someone in Texas has an R in 358 that needs to come to s w Missouri. Guess I don't have enough after all. GW

For some a firearm represents a prized possession to hold and pamper but for others it's a tool of the trade called upon to perform in the field. In between there are guys like us that cherish our 99's no matter which side of the fence we are on.
It would be interesting to be able go back in the day and talk with the craftsmen who engineered and built these rifles to see how they felt. Probably just like us.

Steve

Since this thread was started, it has become apparent to me my own personal growth as a Savage acquirer. It happened so slow and gradually that I hadn't noticed. Going from many years ago anything 99 was of interest, to being more and more selective. Now I turn my nose up to 99s in years past would have had me salivating. I'm not quite to the point of being a Savage snob, but my more recent acquisitions are pointing in that direction. (still a long way to go) Getting ready to go to a show in an hour or so, and thinking of taking the least original of my 99s in hopes of brooming to upgrade. Five years ago this thought wouldn't have crossed my mind. So it goes.....

Yep, in this day and age that's probably how we all get started. Nice ones are getting fewer, as are rats. My first 99, R in 250 cost $187 at auction. My second, an F T/D in 303 was $140 at an estate sale. Now most everything I look at starts at $1000 and goes up. Those are the ones I look at, usually don't buy. I have Tiffany taste on a Sears budget. I'm starting to learn more, so I become more discriminate. A few years ago I'd buy a nice looking gun with a scope on it and think it was fine. Now I look to see where the Savage script is. I'm fine with an old rat, cheap. But good money needs condition now. I don't think it's snobbery, I think it's knowledge, Joe.

That pretty much says it all.

I don't know ?? I guess I'd be a 2-4 . I only buy guns that are original. I don't like any extra holes,pads,sling eyes etc.non original sights I can deal with.
I don't mind a gray rat, if it meets my criteria. Like some of you,I just don't have time to shoot 'em all.

plab

thats about where I fit ,and just too many to shoot them all...

What did I just say Too Many ------ YOU got to be kidding.

norm

I look for #1, but unfortunately I'm stuck with the pocket book of #4. So I get what I can.

I buy a gun based on where my head's at, at the moment- not to mention the state of my pocketbook. As far as shooting perfect condition "collector's pieces", it would be like having a gorgeous woman and being afraid to take her to bed. Give me one that's been around the block a few times.

I reckon the statement "... too many to bed them all..." doesn't apply either?

Damn, I hear ya. We just gotta find a way to MAKE time.