They just don't build beautiful hunting guns like they used to.

[TomTeriffic]

The following three long guns are the prettiest models I ever did see. My grandfather owned two of them: Savage Model 99 in .300 Savage with straight uncheckered stock and a Husqvarna Model 3000 Crown Grade with high-comb Monte Carlo stock in .308.

There is no lever-action rifle sleeker and more elegant than the American Savage Model 99 series. The Swedish Husqvarna 3000 Crown Grade bolt-action rifle is pure majesty to behold. Mauser 98 action, long rotary control-feed extractor claw, jeweled bolt, fancy hand-rubbed walnut Monto Carlo stock, hand checkering, white spacers, black pistol grip and fore-end caps, metal butt plate, hinged floor plate, smooth, polished round-ball-knob, tapered and curved bolt handle. My grandfather's Husky had a darker wood finish and was in safe-queen condition when he passed away. The venerable Browning Superposed over/under shotgun is sheer elegance from the old-world craftsmen of Belgium.

I would almost give my soul for any of these guns in minty shape. They are hard to find, sold out a lot or prohibitively expensive. This awesome threesome are the ultimate envy of American hunters and gun collectors.

 

[TomTeriffic]

PS - What is the correct terminology for the style of stocks and for-ends on each of the guns above? What kind of receiver does the Savage and Browning have? I have heard of terms like "boxlock" and "sidelock" on over and unders. The Husqvarna has a Mauser 98 style controlled-feed action. There is no more beautiful and classic action than that in the world of bolt-action rifles. No Winchester Model 70, Weatherby Mark V, Sako, Tikka or Remington 700 was ever as pretty as that Husky 3000.

 

[T.R.]

To my view of things, Henry builds very attractive rifles right here in USA. I also appreciate the Browning BLR for its attention to details.

TR

 

[longbow51]

The Superposed is a boxlock.

 

[BrentD]

You are right, they don't make them like they used to. Not even close.

But those three would not be on my Best Dressed List. We all have our favorites.

 

[Farmerj]

The ways of nice wood are gone. Production number is a demand forcing chassis’s to be the deal.

 

[Laelkhunter]

First time I've ever seen front scope ring that mounts on the bell of the scope. Nice looking trio of shootin' irons....

 

[Harrier]

This is why I only buy vintage firearms, never new.

My local gun shop has a Savage 99 on the sale rack and I’ve been giving it serious consideration.

 

[longbow51]

The ways of nice wood are gone. Production number is a demand forcing chassis’s to be the deal.

Cooper!

 

[TomTeriffic]

To my view of things, Henry builds very attractive rifles right here in USA. I also appreciate the Browning BLR for its attention to details.

TR

I just looked at a picture of a Browning BLR. To my surprise, it has no magazine tube just like the Savage 99. Were these ever made in Belgium? I have seen Henry rifles and they are shaped just like any Winchester/Marlin/Browning lever job. All lever guns except Savage 99 have the same basic quaint clunky/lumpy shape. Most lever guns look like a Ford Model T while a Savage 99 looks like a sleek 1975 Corvette in comparison.

 

[noharleyyet]

Sure they make em, they're called #10 Dakotas...basically a #1 with expensive make up.

 

[BrentD]

I just looked at a picture of a Browning BLR. To my surprise, it has no magazine tube just like the Savage 99. Were these ever made in Belgium? I have seen Henry rifles and they are shaped just like any Winchester/Marlin/Browning lever job. All lever guns except Savage 99 have the same basic quaint clunky/lumpy shape. Most lever guns look like a Ford Model T while a Savage 99 looks like a sleek 1975 Corvette in comparison.

Yes, my BLR was made in Belgium.

If you think most lever guns look clunky or quaint I feel sorry for you. However however, check out the Winchester 1895.

 

[std7mag]

Cooper!

Dakota!!

 

[TomTeriffic]

Yes, my BLR was made in Belgium.

If you think most lever guns look clunky or quaint I feel sorry for you. However however, check out the Winchester 1895.

To my surprise, that has a box mag and not a mag tube like a typical cowboy gun does. Outside of the Savage 99, every other lever job looks like a Winchester 1863 to my eyes. The 1895 still doesn't have pretty smooth, rounded lines like the Savage 99 but the tapered fore end looks like an improvement as well as a box magazine to fire superior cartridges with "needle-sharp" bullets. I also thought the Savage 99 was the first lever gun ever to dispose of the mag tube to allow for superior spitzer cartridges to be loaded and fired safely. I still say shame on Savage Arms for dumping the Model 99 in 1998.

 

[rwc101]

Plenty of people making pretty guns. Usually start at $20,000 though.

 

[madtom]

I wonder if people on another forum somewhere are lamenting that hammers and screwdrivers aren’t pretty anymore.

 

[rwc101]

I wonder if people on another forum somewhere are lamenting that hammers and screwdrivers aren’t pretty anymore.

Woodworkers and hand planes...

 

[Perlodid]

I just looked at a picture of a Browning BLR. To my surprise, it has no magazine tube just like the Savage 99. Were these ever made in Belgium? I have seen Henry rifles and they are shaped just like any Winchester/Marlin/Browning lever job. All lever guns except Savage 99 have the same basic quaint clunky/lumpy shape. Most lever guns look like a Ford Model T while a Savage 99 looks like a sleek 1975 Corvette in comparison.

A winchester lever gun is clunky, but a savage 99 isn't? The grip on a 99 looks like a damn 2x4 compared to a model 94

 

[longbow51]

Dakota!!

Agree, but doubt they will ever be made again (unless you know otherwise which would be great). Did pick up 2 last year.

 

[BrentD]

I wonder if people on another forum somewhere are lamenting that hammers and screwdrivers aren’t pretty anymore.

Of course. What is not to like about a well crafted screwdriver or hammer? Of course nowadays we don't call them turn screws and mallets like we used to