Dave Muzz: The federal government makes no provision for selling firearms that were seized for any reason. Yes, some agencies sell off their duty guns when re-arming but not all. It's up to the agency. Many cities, such as NYC also do not sell seized firearms. They wait until they have enough guns to fill an oceangoing barge (usually about one barge a year), band them together and toss them into the Atlantic. I should have mentioned that before the government disposes of seized property in any way, the property must undergo a forfeiture proceeding so that title first passes to the government. The owner of these two guns could have gotten them back had he settled with the Collection division.
Anyway, I don't want the thread to drift. Getting back to the 88, they are indeed good shooters and one inch three-shot groups are very common. At the time of its demise, the scuttlebutt was that American shooters wanted their lever actions to look traditional like Marlins and Winchesters rather than sleek and racey like the 88.
Interestingly, apparently the Savage 99 will enjoy a re-issue in three grades sometime next year. With Winchester being passed around like a foster child, I doubt that we'll ever see an 88 re-issue.
