Picked up a very fancy Germanized Savage 99, game scene engraving and all, looks 1960s-70s, claw bases but no scope. Can you folks suggest who might be good to fix up a scope with claws and fit it properly? Have got some period correct Kahles and Ajack scopes that would work. I believe NECG in New Hampshire does this but is there anyone else? Opinions of forum members respectfully solicited !!!

Lee LeBas is your man.
http://www.learmes.com/Mounts.html

Just be sure to get a firm price quote and check it against NECG or another gunsmith.

JJ Perodeau at Champlin Arms.

He has put claw mounts on my drilling and my 450/400. He does excellent work.
Both go back to zero 100%

There are a few gunsmiths around that can fit clawmounts when both bases and rings come new from the factory. Recknagel even sells pre-fitted bases and rings; all a gunsmith has to do is install the bases and mount the scope. There are VERY few who can do a good job of fitting new or period rings to older bases.

This is not to say Perodeau or any other particular gunsmith is not up to the task, it's just that the task at hand is an order of magnitude greater than installing new mounts. So many different clawmount configurations have been used that it's a difficult task just for any gunsmith to keep all the myriad parts on hand.

Check out www.clawmounts.com

The owner is a skilled machinist and avid shooter in the Chicago area and does good work. I have personally seen his work but do not have any photos.

Give Steve a call.

Regards,

RCG

Thanks for the tips, gents. Will check with them all.

I had Mark Cromwell at NECG fit new rings and bases to my 1908 8X56 M-S. They are not cheap but his work is outstanding. Thanks...Bill.

Replies to inquiries coming in. Apparently it is easier to put new complete claw mounts onto a rifle than it is to fit new claws, and a new scope, into old bases since there were so many variations in claw dimensions. Also, NECG, for instance, will only fit claw rings to scopes in standard tube sizes, they will no longer rig up the big loops that go onto large objectives.

My problem with the new claw bases is that they are very machine-made in appearance. It is worth the extra money to me to keep the old-world look and engraving of the originals whenever possible. On a new-build it would not matter so much.