Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Off the beaten path with a JC Higgins 10125

Also known as a Stevens 59A, I believe. Was driving home from Omaha and stopped at a gun store I don't get to hit any more, and they had this cute little Sears & Roebuck 410 bolt action shotgun (store brand is JC Higgins).. and it sure looked like a Savage to me. Even had a date stamp of 9B on the barrel, which makes it the same year as my 22 Hornet 342.

So she came home with me. Should be a fun little popper.

The big annoyance is some drips of white paint on the finish. Any ideas how to remove the paint without hurting the finish?








Compare the stock shape to the 1950 342 in 22 Hornet. Somewhat similar, eh?

I have one identical to yours, Rorey. Also a 101.25 with a barrel code of 2M. I like the color of your stock much better. They are a GREAT shooter. A few years back, I killed 3 squirrels in 3 shots with each squirrel on the run.

Doesn't look like they changed much from 1950 to 1961. I'm just itching to take this out, and rabbits and squirrels sound like a whole lot of fun!

You could try some Goof off. If it is latex paint it will come off.

That's for sure. They are a whack of fun. Never liked the Maple stock though. Got it YEARS ago in a trade for an H&R Huntsman muzzleloading shotgun.

Calhoun, I carefully scraped some paint off recently with a thin stiff piece of plastic (equipment lock out tag). I soaked the area with snake oil, let it sit awhile then carefully worked it off. In one area the paint made it into the wood pores. I soaked it and lightly scraped with a dental pic. Finish does not show any of my efforts. Thought about products such as "goof off" and "oops" but worried they would go to far. Let me (us) know what you come up with for yours.

Ooh, I like the plastic idea. The stock already has some small dings and scrapes, so if I made another it's not like I'm ruining a safe queen. Might try the Goof Off after that try.

What's interesting to me about these bolt action cheapo shotguns is how much they LOOK like rifles and how they SHOOT like shotguns. When you throw them up at a bird or rabbit, they point very well. Some subtle difference in the angles of the stock makes them point and shoot better than the rifle-looking stock would lead you to believe until you try them. Same goes for the much-maligned Mossberg bolt shotguns. They kill stuff, even flying stuff.

That said, I can't shoot them faster than a hammerless Savage 220 and would prefer that for bird hunting if I had to choose.

Rory
That is a Super gun. I really Like your off beaten path.
I can see the next Monster 8 Pointer laying Next to it. Or Bob Cat!
Congrats. and Enjoy.
Steve

I'm gonna have to be real desperate to resort to using a 410 slug for hunting buck season!

Now, if I run up against Mr. Bobcat while squirrel hunting back in the trees, yeah, he might just get a load if he's not high tailing it fast enough. Had them stalk me before, and not a fan of that.

Calhoun, most of us will take all the kitty we can get. Don't tell me you're afraid of it!

Brian