This is a sad story which even brings tears to a hardened Eastener like myself. I'll put the text and pictures farther down so you won't accidently see them so if you are faint of heart or have younguns peeking over yor shoulder, bug out right now. Griff, hold on to the steering wheel of the KW, and Pitchy, well, head on out to the workshop. O.S., Get to the club and snuggle up to a few indentations. Here we go guys.................
Last week this guy I work with came down to the outside warehouse I work at with a trunkload of guns. He tells me he found them in a little cubby hole in the attic of his house where he has lived for 8 years in Wilmington, Delaware. (Gads, how does not one inspect everything in his house in that length of time?)
There were 4 guns (OK, not a trunkload) They were all heavily rusted and frozen tight and welded up with rust. #1 was some junk .22 bolt gun. #2 was a hammer double of unknown make. #3 was a full sized 1898 Krag with full nickel plate with nice wood with a crisp cartouche made in 1899. and #4 was ............................I can't do this, give me some time to get some tissues. .........................................................................................................................................................................................a very seldom seen first model1899 Savage "H" carbine in .303. This has the unbanded forearm with no little schnabel at the tip. 20" light barrel with carbine buttplate without the saddle ring. Wood is some type of fruitwood, not walnut. Built in 1924
After working on these guns all this week, the .22 and the double barrel are headed for the next $100 dollar gun buy back program which are very popular here in the East. The 1899 is all apart and is soaking in penetrating oil and yes, I got the action working----it was still in the cocked position and when I pulled the trigger it went "click.
The bore is very shootable. This may also wind up in the gun buyback program--we will see.The Krag, due to it's full nickel plate whch was obviously done by a VFW Spanish American vet has been salvaged and is in perfect working condition. The bore is MINT, so I'm guessing the old vet coated it with cosmoline before hiding it in the little cubby hole in the attic. (Good guy--thanks buddy--thank you for your service) The gun looks like junk but is smoooooth with a tight lock-up and the rest of the things that make a great shooter.
And yep, even though the guns are rusted junk, I still saw to it my buddy at work will be well fed and be able to put on a good drunk this weekend.
Here's a few pics with descriptions-------------------
Sixgun The Krag and the 1899. I have the forend of the '99.---the blue under the forend looks like it came out of the factory when the gun was built in 1924.
The '99 H
The .22 and the double gun--Anybody know what the double gun is with that opening lever? All markings are gone.
Whooooopppssss! Somehow this Marlin Model 27 in 25-20 built in 1909 (serial #131) slipped in the door along with the rusted junk.
(a lesson for you younguns )
While I'm here I figured I'd post 2 more pics from an upcoming local auction in the next several weeks. As my bud from Targetmaster has access to these guns, I accompanied him for inspection and for him to pick my little brain. This is a Winchester Hi-Wall in 32-20 with a #1 barrel, made in 1889. Whoa! Too rich for my blood
Here's a very clean and 95% Savage 1899 takedown in .22 Hi-Power. I somehow gotta figure out how to "slip" this one in the house.
-------------Sixgun
I just shot the 1898 Krag. Only 3 shots with cast bullets at only 50 yards but it sure is an indication.
