I found a neglected 99

[joshb]

I went to one of my favorite Old gun stores today. Leaning in the corner behind some loose stocks was this old gem. I couldn't just leave it there. Needs a stock and some TLC. I can do the stock. My question is about bluing. It has light surface rust. With a new stock, she won't be original and she's been drilled for scope mounts so how hard/expensive is a light polish and reblue? Ballpark?
The serial number puts her born in 1946. The bore has a good coat of cosmoline in it and looks pretty good with no rust or pitting.

i

 

[LHSmith]

What caliber? I believe she is in good hands now. Proof that there is such a thing as "rescue" guns.
To answer your question, I would take care of the light rust and leave her au natural.

 

[joshb]

Good ol .300 Savage. I'm a sucker for rescue dogs, too.

 

[shortgrass]

Have you checked the headspace on it. I've seen more than a couple 99s where the receiver cracked between the locking abuttment and the closest scope mount screw hole at the rear. Many times, set-back can be seen at the locking abuttment. It'd be a shame to put work into it and discover insurmountable problems later on.

 

[joshb]

Well, I just brought it home a couple hours ago. I don't see any cracks anywhere. I'll be able to check better, once I get her home. I'm at the beach this weekend. Girls went clothes shopping, boys went to Steele's Gun shop.

 

[Ggmac]

Nice find ! 300 savage or 303 savage ?

 

[joshb]

Hello in Florida! It's a 300 Savage. I paid $250. How'd I do?

 

[watercam]

Based upon pricing in my neck of the woods you did well if it checks out OK. Check ebay for butt stocks. They have all kinds of parts now. Also Numrichs and other online parts houses. They are around.

 

[Ggmac]

Nice , I know you can make a stock , but Boyd's has the butt in pistol or straight for $65 , finished .

 

[joshb]

Thanks for the advice. I might go the easy route, but I think I have a short piece of walnut that would go well with this old girl. If my memory serves, the piece has some fantastic grain. I just don't know if it's long enough right now. I may redo the the forend and oil finish all the wood.
Is the consensus to leave the metal alone and not reblue? Thanks, Josh.

 

[mmcu]

I'd leave the metal alone!