This is part of an exchange from my post down below ("Over 50+ Years Without...") concerning the woods stocks on the nice vintage 99 that I picked up recently. At the end of this, below, I'd like to get the forum's input on a couple of questions, if I may.
Originally Posted by rlottAs noted, I was thinking about redoing the checkering of the stocks on this Savage 99, after I get the wood colors to be a better match, that is... Both pieces of wood are stamped with the same serial #, from the same stamps (it appears), so the stocks are factory originals -- but they don't match.Originally Posted by Old No7
Here's what the stocks look like now, after being lightly rubbed with a gray synthetic scrub pad and some Murphy's Oil Soap. It's clear to see there was a lot of oil, dirt and grime on them that really darkened them up. And I have to admit, I do like the reddish tone in the buttstock, although I think there's some more oil/grime up near the action.
And as a reminder, here's how dark they were before they were cleaned up:
My twin has loaned me a set of checkering tools, but I've never done the work on a rifle; have only touched-up checkering on handgun grips. But as those diamonds are so flat or non-existent, I am a little concerned that I could make the checkering much worse -- instead of better... Or ruin the "vintage look and feel" to this Savage 99.
Questions I have for this forum are:
* If it was yours, would you lightly refinish the colors and keep it "vintage" (close-to) and the checkering untouched?
* Or, would you go ahead and lightly refinish, but also recut/repoint the checkering?
Thanks for looking, and for your thoughts!
Tight groups.
Old No7
Bookmarks