ENGRAVED SAVAGE 99 TAKEDOWN

ECO-DAVE

Hello All,

I am looking at a Savage 99 Takedown in 30-30 and it has been fully engraved. The engraving is very deep and is not factory. I havn't seen another like it and would like to get some advice on what it is worth. I know it is hard without pictures but I will try to descibe it the best I can.
The owner knows nothing about the rifles history and never fired it. It is in 98% condition and the engraving is amazing. Three game scenes on the reciever and the lever is engraved with scroll and someones initials. Peep sights on the tang and nice wood with cheek piece. I have only seen engraving like this on high end German rifles. Also the bolt is jeweled. Can anyone give me a ball park price for such a rifle?

Thanks
Dave

ern98

Welcome to the forum, sorry to say it is not worth nearly as much as it was several years ago. The economy and ready cash greaty effect the price of everything, but especially one of a kind, spectacular pieces of art. What you have described is as much a work of art as a rifle. Are you buying, helping someone sell or assigning value for insurance? These will be/can be three very different numbers. Others will weigh in and will have a better understanding of what it may be valued at these days.

my-handyman

Dave. If you check on the auction side, there are two deluxe 99's. One is a very fine old one and one is a 1970(about) auction # for the new one is 123979818. Dose it look like one of these?

ECO-DAVE

Hello,
The one I am looking at has more engraving than that one...Who ever engraved it engraved over all visible marking on the rifle. I didn't take it apart to see if there was markings on the inside. The whole reciever was engraved and the lever...and parts of the barrel.

Thanks
Dave

Robin

It's going to be tough to give you a price on this particular Model 99 (is it a F model?) or 1899 Savage. If it is all factory except for the engraving and if the engraver's work is recognizable or documented that a well known engraver did the work, the add ons could increase the value significantly over a standard model 99 take down model. A hard core Savage model 99 collector may recognize the work. If not, the rifle will probably not bring any more than a similar factory rifle in excellent condition. Engraving is a personal thing and even excellent non-factory engraving may not boost the rifle's market value by much. You may want to ask the guys over at the 24 hour campfire site in the Savage forum.

EDIT: The seller would increase his chances of receiving his perceived value by providing whatever information he can find if available. Of course, people overpay for stuff all of the time. I would think something in the range of $1,000 might attract a buyer that wants that caliber in an engraved rifle.

ECO-DAVE

Ok..Thanks
The guy is asking $1800.00 for the rifle. Seems high...but no one knows it's history.

dclevinger

Dave, most engravers sign their work. It is usually small and and sometimes fairly hard to find. Some use their whole name and some just use initials. If it was done by a well known engraver it could be worth much more than $1800. You might go over the engraving with a maginfying glass to see if you can find anything. If you find something let me know and I'll get you contact info for someone that may be able to indentify the engraver.

ECO-DAVE

ok ... I will look...What is todays value on such a rifle with unknown history?

ern98

The value is what ever he can get someone to give him for it. If I saw it on a table at a gun show priced at $1800 with no notable engraver or other history, I'd laugh a little and walk on by. It is not, as represented, likely to be something that will appreciate in value from that price anytime soon. So it would have to be something you personally want for yourself because it really appeals to you. Personally I think it might be ok at $1000/1200, but money is getting tight and folks are trying to sell off their toys. This means it is an opportunity to those who still have the means. Unless he is a real good friend, make him a lowball offer and give him a two week window to get back to you....

Bill DeShivs

Even if you have to pay someone to take pictures for you, it would behoove you to post them here. Hand engraving can be very crude and actually devalue a gun. Extremely high quality engraving can increase the worth dramatically. Quantity of engraving means nothing.

He Dog

I would consider it of lower value than the same 98% rifle without the engraving, because it is not factory. It may have some value to someone that wants such engraving, but the 99 collector value is lost because it it not original. Without the engraving in .30-30, perhaps $600 in my area, but there is alot of regional variation in the pricing of 99's. At $1800, I would laugh big and look for another.

rsnyder55

When you get to the level of engraving you describe, for almost everyone, it is no longer a shooter but a work of art.

Art usually has two types of collectors. One who collects to enjoy and the other who collect is to appreciate and later sell.

Name of the artist and documentation is important for the latter and esthetic appeal for the former. In either event, it is a very small market right now.

For everyone else, it's value would be that of a shooter.