Savage 23D 22 Hornet

[Glaciers]

About 4 years ago on a visit to Dave up the road from me, Dave let me see his 23D and a small BSA Martini in 357 that he had acquired. Well both rifles were in excellent shape, the Savage being in like new condition. I didn’t have much time to look at these two rifles so I feel my memory is good and I have not looked at either one since. The 357 Martini was built by a good friend about 15 years ago who has since passed. The Savage is the first 23D I’ve ever held in my hands although I have seen no more then one or two in this region.
Anyway I’ve been bugging Dave about parting with both rifles and he’s always said I’ll get first shot at them if he decides to sell. Then the Chinese Flu hit and things kinda got set aside. Meaning I stopped bugging him.
Well started nicely nagging him again about the little Savage and Dave indicated that he was open to selling. I wanted him to set a price so I could shelve the idea or start digging for the scratch. He asked about any pistols I might have to trade. Well I came up with something that he’s interested in.
My memory is that this little rifle is 98% condition and has a receiver sight, has not been drilled and tappe, 1 in 16 twist and two magazines.
Ok so here’s the question. Different regions will have different values for a firearm due to availability. Savages are thin up here especially the pumps and small caliber rifles like this 23D. 32 caliber pistols are like hen‘s teeth here as well. They made the 23D from 1933 to 1947. I’m trying to put a value on this rifle and I won’t get a chance to look it over till this weekend.
I’ve been wanting a Hornet for a while and once again it’s a rare one up here. I’ve picked up a Topper 158 in a Hornet which has a horrible trigger and a Martini Cadet in 218 Bee, also a 1 in 16 twist.
I the mean time I’ve picked up Hornet dies, brass and three under 40 grain molds so I’m prepared on that end.
So value of these little rifles and thoughts on the Savage 23D in particular. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks John

 

[JonB]

23D
Not real common in my neck of the woods (MN), but that is likely due to how old they are.
I don't really think there is anything more special or collectable about them, then a 340 or 342
So I would expect a similar retail value...these days a LNIB example would bring north of 500, but less than 700.
Now buying one from a neighbor or friend could be different.

 

[Bret4207]

23D's have alwyas been hard to find, but I think Jon is way off base putting them in 340 category. Check the auction houses for prior sales, add/subtract for your being buds, go from there. A 23D is worth a couple hundred more than a 340 222 in similar condition.

 

[Glaciers]

On the online sales that I’ve found are $500 to $800 one a $1200. The $1200 rifle was beautiful but I’m sure &300 or $400 high.
This one hasn’t been drilled and tapped for scope mounting so it’s all original. Personally I would have been happy with potential scope mounting. I’m not a collector but certainly appreciate firearms that haven’t been fiddled with.

 

[richhodg66]

The .25-20 one I have was in the 400 range a few years agi, but the stock has been reworked and it has a side miunted exrrnally adjustable scope of 1930s vintage on it. They are neat rifles. You could like dind a better shhoter in .22 Hornet for what a 23D is worth. The Hirnet is a neat little cartridge and respinds well to cast.

 

[RicinYakima]

Savage 23 B's, C's and D's are fairly common here as they were used by the Indians for shooting deer. I think Hornets were always loaded with non- corrosive priming (Savage ammo was the first to use non-corrosive primers). All the centerfires around here with at least good bores, are in the $300 to $400 range. No idea what a 98% one would bring.

Scope issue; one idea that I have used is mounting Unertl scope bases on the existing holes in the receiver. Then use 22LR clamp on scope rings. Because of the distance, you will need a scope with a long straight body.

 

[RicinYakima]

The other alternative is to use something like Lyman Tru-Loc bases (aluminum) re-drilled for the existing holes.


My Hornet with the above set up and Lyman Alaskan.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have two 23's, one 32/20 and one 25/20. Twenty years ago they was pretty common along with the 325's. 340's less so and 220/219's lesser still. But Savage is "down the road" about 25 miles away.

The 32/20 is pretty rough and needed much work. I re stocked it with a older walnut stock of better condition. Took a few years to find a correct magazine.
The 25/20 was in far better shape and saw much less use (abuse) its a favorite and shoots very very well.

The Hornet is a later model model 340 D. Its was a basket case and has a custom heavy barrel. I have been working on it for over a year. I have the factory stock, but it will rake allot to fit this super heavy barrel. 1 1/4 taper to just over a 1" 24" later.
Im thinking making it a single shot and custom stocking it.

Took me 6mo to acquire all
Missing parts as I got it in baggies with a Rem 742 also in pieces and later learned many extra duplicate parts.

I got the 742 together and working first but its very rusted.
The 340 is in very nice condition and should be a shooter.

I also had the 22 LR Savage of same model but my buddy talked me out of it.
CW

 

[JonB]

23D's have alwyas been hard to find, but I think Jon is way off base putting them in 340 category. Check the auction houses for prior sales, add/subtract for your being buds, go from there. A 23D is worth a couple hundred more than a 340 222 in similar condition.

I could be, I was just guessing about the 23D.
But I will stick to my number$ in relation to a LNIB 340 and 342

 

[JustJim]

23Ds aren't real common around here, but the ones I've seen in 95+% condition have been selling at $500-600, and sitting if priced higher. That's with whatever accessories happen to be with them--aperture sights, extra mags, etc. Availability of ammo/brass/dies have been used to bump the price higher, but not much else. For the most part, they've been replaced by ARs.

 

[RicinYakima]

For the most part, they've been replaced by ARs.

Sadly will not be here. New state law forbids "transfer" (buy, sell, trade or give away) any rifle that is capable of taking more than a 10 round magazine.

IF THIS IS TOO POLITICAL, FEEL FREE TO DELETE IT.

 

[richhodg66]

I think you'll have a lot of fun with that Hornet. My purpose for getting into the Hornet was purely to find a rimfire replacement about ten years ago when you couldn't buy .22 LR ammo. The Hornet did that easily. At the time, primers were no problem. Now, .22 LR is widely available and often can be found where the cost of an individual round is less than the cost of an individual primer.

All that said, try some light loads in it, works well and very economical in terms of powder and lead. Also has the advantage of being easy on brass, which seems to be a problem with the Hornet. Everybody talks about how easy it is to ruin a Hornet case in the loading process, but it never happened to me. Fun lttle round, but above the reduced load role where it shines, I can't see where it can do anything a .222 or .223 can't do better.

 

[Glaciers]

Rich I’ve got a nice bolt 223 & an AR besides a little Sako 6x47 if there’s a need for speed. I used to have a Winchester 43 in 218 Bee which I enjoyed and I will admit I pushed it to the top end of the reloading manuals, but I was pretty young at that point.
My interest in the Hornet and Bee is for something between the 22LR and the 223. Years ago I realized that if I wanted more from a cartridge then was reasonable to just go back to the safe and get a bigger gun. Much more fun that way and hard to find expensive brass lasts much longer. I have 3 (35, 36, 39 grain) possibly a 4th mold (47 grains) That should work in these little 22 center fire cartridge guns.
So I’ve got a scoped Topper 158 Hornet which has a horrible trigger, a couple of YouTube videos had instructions on how to fix it. All I need is the energy to work on it. Don’t like working on guns other then changing out a scope or something simple. So a scoped Hornet and if I can get my hands on this little Savage with a receiver sight I’ll have the Hornet covered pretty well. The 218 Bee is in a small Martini action and I’m looking to my friend I got that one from for a second that he has which is also on a small Martini but in 218 Mashburn Bee. Just need to figure out a scope mount for one of these Martinis.
Well a bunch of maybe’s listed above, need to first see if Dave and I can complete a trade for the little Savage. Then on to the next bridge.

 

[Glaciers]

Well finally got together with Dave to do a trade for the little Savage. My memory was slightly defective. Happens more frequently it seems.
But the Savage is more of a 90% plus rather then the 98% I was remembering. A little disappointed there but on the bright side I don’t have to be shy about dragging it about with me for walks and such.
But I mentioned the Martini 357 that I looked at 4 years ago when I looked at the Savage. Dave brought it out to show me again yesterday and it is a 98% plus gun as it was rebarreled, restocked, and nicely blued. At the time 4 years ago my interest was in the Martini, Dave just happened to bring out the Savage with it. So I thinking that my memory did a bit of condition transfer to include the Savage In the very nice condition.
Well he won’t part with the Martini at this time anyway.
We did still do the trade but Dave had to come up with a little more on his end. The rifle came with 3 magazines and two 50 count boxes of factory ammo. To improve the deal Dave tossed in 2 boxes of factory 25-20, and 4 boxes of 32 S&W long.
First thing I did when back to the homestead was take a few plinking shots with the Savage. I believe I’m going to have a fair amount of fun with this little rifle.


I really like the Redfield receiver sight

 

[RicinYakima]

And it has the very hard to get Lyman rear sight! It has the odd shape on the front to be used as the rear base for the external adjustable scopes, like Unertl.

 

[Glaciers]

Actually it’s a Redfield but liking it lots.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Awesome!! I was hoping ya could strike a deal!

 

[Ian]

I've been logging on the last few days mostly to see about this trade, glad it worked out for you and that's a great little woods rifle. Condition is what I'd consider "perfect" for regular use. I like a pristine rifle as much as the next guy but find those spend too much time in the safe.

 

[Glaciers]

This^^^^

 

[Glaciers]

Definitely had to keep after Dave to even get together for a hands on look and potential trade. His interest was marginal. Well at least that’s what he was expressing. He’s a hard nut to crack.