David, we do think that the earliest 1899-F's might actually have been reworked 1895's. Two examples have turned up that lettered as 1895 SRC made during the 1895 production run but not shipped till 1899. Both have a 20" barrel and 1899 bolt. They have the barrel band and might account for the drawing (not photo)in the 1899 catalog.
You can check with BillR for more details.
