Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Mirror Blue or Brite Blue finish

Years ago I remember reading a little about these finishes in this forum. Now I can't find it. Could someone shed a little light as to when and what models it was used on. Was it an option? What is proper nomenclature for this finish? Would a factory letter show it?

Mirror blue has a lot to do with the mirror finish under the blue

Yep, polish/polish/polish is what I've heard and read...

The mirror blue finish was on Savage 1895's and 1899's prior to WWI (so 1895 to 1917). It reappeared in a very similar form on some 99's from around mid-1927 to mid-1928 (but not ALL 99's from then, just a small portion of them).

was it a special order item? had a G from '28 to follow me home the other evening. does it add to value?

The mirror blue in the late 20's?

Good question. We have no idea why it shows up on some and not on all. if yours has it, congrats! I think it adds some value, I'd pay more a nice one with mirror finish than an identical one with standard blue.

Could be a case of "screw it, I'm gonna polish the crap out of this one whether the boss wants me to or not."

Thanks to all responders for sharing the wealth of your knowledge.--cb

Could it be the bright polish finish of the 1920s was an extra order item? I can see Savage offering that in the economic boom of the roaring 20s and I can also see that disappearing from the catalog following Black Thursday. Take a look at 99 production figures for 1932 and 33. We are lucky Savage didn't just flat out discontinue the 99 after those dismal years. Savage is a business and like all businesses they and their offerings ebb and flow with the economy. I think the mirror finish and the extra cost and labor it represented was a victim of the Great Depression.

It is hit and miss during 1927 but a large number in 1928. It is not alway possible to tell on some rifles due to the amount of wear. I have four, high condition, from this period, two G's, one F and a B. There are K's but only one H that has been reported to me. It is a higher polished metal and a brighter blue but not the same as the pre-WWI mirror finish. I don't think there was an option during those years for a higher finish option. They were more prevalent as time went on till the end a 1928 where they appear to have abruptly stopped.

It is also hard to determine what percentage of this two year (?) production had the brighter finish. Most rifles are not in new enough condition to judge. Also, not everyone has examples from this time to compare to. But we have seen more than enough to verify that they do exist.

Rick, is the 99H the one I reported from the Scarborough Cabela's? It definitely was a mirror blue, but overall not in great shape. I probably have that serial number somewhere.

No. I'll take a serial if you have it.