Savage 99 Restoration - 24hourcampfire

The family hand-me-down deer rifle is a WELL-USED Savage 99 EG in .300 Savage. It needs some professional help to be right again. I read recently in Sports Afield about one of the custom gunsmiths utilizing a guy named Doug Wells out of Montana who specializes in Savage 99 rifles. It gave no contact information. I reached out to Turnbull for a quote, needless to say that is way more than I’m willing to spend.

Anyone know how to find Doug Wells in Montana or perhaps somebody else who specializes in restoring Savage 99 rifles?

The only info I have is Huson Mt 406-626-4152 but that was about 10 yrs ago so good luck.

Don't know of a Savage 99 specialist, but Al Springer at Snowy Mountain Blue Gun Restoration did a fantastic job on my Savage 1895. I posted before and after pictures on this site.

I also spoke with Turnbull before contacting Al and was surprised at the quote.

If you get it refinished it will loose all the character that it acquired by years of use by your family and look like you just bought it off the rack Walmart or somewhere, just buy another similar gun in the condition you want and tell everyone it's a family heirloom, no one will probably be any wiser and you could save a lot of money. Seriously though, I think refinishing a family heirloom is a mistake, leave it as is and save the history it has recorded over the years.

I have a well used 1893 Marlin that was my fathers and before that my Uncles. It had had the barrel shortened, a rough homemade front sight added and a lot of signs of rough use. My Uncle is probably the one who did this as it was the rifle he used during the depression in South Dakota. It will remain as is as long as I have it since every mark on it is part of a story, most I can only guess at now, if I had it refinished I couldn't even do that.

I am not in the camp of refinishers but, it is your property to do with as you think appropriate. There is a fellow on YouTube that has some examples of refinished 99 that looks to be good. His name is Dennis Prichard if you wish to contact him.

A member of my Savage 99 Club on FB owns Dandee Reproductions in VA and does some really nice work on the 99’s. His name is Jay Ward.

I agree with GeneB. The rifle.is.precious because its condition reflects its history and the users thereof. Outward refinishing may make it look nice but it would lose its memorable character.

On the other hand, any internal/mechanical work needed to keep the gun functioning and safe is important.

Finally, I suggest watching a few Mark Novak YouTube videos under the name Anvil where he talks about "conserving" guns, making them safe and operable and stopping any rust or decay of either wood or metal. In addtion, he addresses any stock cracks, etc and other items that would continue to harm the gun.

These are just suggestions, additional information to consider prior to proceeding. You are fortunate to have to rifle and the honor of keeping it up to pass along to another generation. I have a couple myself that belonged to my grandpa and uncle. Good luck with this! Art

I think I have to vote for leaving it alone too. It’s condition is it’s history and that history will stay intact for as long as there is somebody who can tell it. There are plenty of well used 99s out there that have lost their history because they passed from the hands who made it. If you want to restore a 99 then get one of those. But if you want a nice 99 then save your money for a decent rifle to come up for sale. I’ve seen several on gunbroaker that have gone neglected for under 1K. Get one of those.

Pics would help. What one person calls well worn, another calls great condition. This is the “Savage Collector’s” forum. If they think it’s worth leaving alone, I’d take that as professional advice. If it’s too beat to save, they won’t hold any punches and, they “will” let you know it. Without pics, I’m in the leave it be camp.

A gun is only original once, I would resist the urge for any ‘professional’ help. Just wipe it down, take a whiff or two of the Hoppe’s No. 9 and call it a day.

I knew a guy who picked up a poor condition 99 in 25-35 back around 2001, the buttstock was broken and it needed internal parts. Not sure what he paid for it, but he had plans on having it restored. Havent seen him in a very long time. It was sitting in the corner of his man cave around 2003, the last time I saw him

I can't hate on any man that restores an old broken down rifle if that is what he wants to do.

I xan attest to the work of Jay Ward, he has done 4 projects for me and they are top notch.

I inherited my father in law’s 1952 EG 300 Savage. His wife didn’t like guns in the house so he wrapped it in canvas, didn’t coat it in oil or anything and stored in the crawl space of his Santa Cruz California coastal house for 35 years.

It was rusty and the stock was just grey, I had no choice but to restore it. That was 33 years ago, I’ve shot quite a few deer with it over the years and now it has a patina all its own.

I greatly appreciate all of the input. I’m no greenhorn when it comes to guns, especially classic designs like the Savage 99. Designs like the Winchester Model 70, 1892 and 1894, Marlin 39 and 1893, etc. are the apple of my eye.

The main reason I am considering restoration is because a lot of the work done to this gun over the years were bubba jobs. Never ever take the lowest bid on any kind of gun work, it practically always ruins a good piece. My grandfather did NOT understand this concept.

I took it to my local gunsmith located in Bend, and even though he’s a good friend of mine he said he wouldn’t touch it on account of it having been butchered. Pics to follow.

I want to be able to use this rifle. It fires safely in its current condition but for whatever reason doesn’t shoot straight. It throws a pretty random group. Long story short, the photos will reflect, a lot of backyard gunsmithing has been done to this rifle. Including the barrel being set back and the forend very crappily refitted. The seven scope mount holes are very attractive to boot.

I want to get this gun in shootable order so that I and my son can continue to use it. If that means $1k-1500 of work then maybe we will make a plan. If its the $5k Turnbull quoted me, I will just hang it on the wall and buy another one I guess.

Attached picture IMG_6034.jpeg

Originally Posted by Poconojack

A gun is only original once, I would resist the urge for any ‘professional’ help. Just wipe it down, take a whiff or two of the Hoppe’s No. 9 and call it a day.

Your advice I hold in the highest regards.

Send me a PM. I have a guy who is AMAZING at restoring 99's, and his pricing is great as well. Only issue is that he does not do case coloring on the lever but for my 2 cents, either blue it (which I hate) or have my guy ship the lever only to Turnbull. You will save a ton!