Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Model and year of manufacture of my 300?

Hi:

I recently acquired a 300 Savage rifle in decent shape, and would like some assistance in identifying it. I assume it was produced post 1950, but I don't know for sure.

I read in some other posts about a stamp that might appear on the gun with an alpha code that would help ID it. Here is what I saw in that other post:

"Savage began stamping the tiny, lightly impressed oval on the lower, front side of the "lever boss" (the extension of the receiver into which the lever fits and rotates) starting in 1949 when Savage put the letter "A" inside the oval together with other numbers."

I am a newbie to these guns, and I am having trouble finding the oval on my gun, but I am not certain I am looking for it in the right spot, or if perhaps my gun does not have on on it. Can someone explain in more detail exactly where this should appear (I am a little unfamiliar with the terminology on the lever action rifles) or better yet post a picture of where the oval appears on their gun?

Some details about my gun:

"300 Savage" and "Hi-pressure steel-proof tested" appear on the barrel, along with "SAVAGE ARMS CORPARATION,
CHICOPEE FALLS MASS USA". The serial number appears to be 613441, although the leading "6" is somewhat hard to read and could possibly be a different number, though I do believe it is a "6". It has the rotary magazine with the "counter window" on the side.

Overall the gun is in nice shape for a shooter (it has seen its share of hunting use already). I am looking forward to taking it out in the north woods of Michigan this fall in search of deer. I have used a .30-06 Springfield for the last 15 years or so, and I am interested to see how this 300 Savage compares to the Springfield. I am assuming that 150 grain is sufficient with these guns to take deer. Can anyone confirm this, or should I be going with 180?

Thanks for the help,

Mark

The mark was hand stamped and are not always readable. From the serial number, your rifle was made in 1951.

I think you will find the .300 a lot easier on the shoulder than your .30-06. The 150 gr. should work just fine for deer.

hi markhieder:

that was probably my 99 listing you read. the lever boss is the solid part of the reciever that the lever hinges into. all the dates are on my posting - someone was good enough to list them all A=1949 etc.

as i said mine didn't have a letter, but a number (153) so i'm assuming it was pre1949. my blue wood rat (30/30 model G or H or something) was made in 1912.

from your serial number (close to my 300) it's probably round 1952. the fellows will get that more exact.

there's a lot of knowledge on this site, and the guys are really helpful. me ... i just buy stuff and shoot it, i'm what you would call an "accumulator" as opposed to a collector.

300 savage is just shy of the 308 winchester wrt ballistics. don't think a critter will know the difference tho. i'll know better after i work with mine but i have a suspicion the 308 is more accurate too. i'll be using the 150 grainers - probably round nose cuz i like them the best at up to 200 yards.

Thanks to both Rick99 and Hornhead for the replies. It sounds like my ballpark estimate of manufacture date was fairly close. I'll have to look more closely and see if I can find the stamping on my gun.

I'm looking forward to taking the gun out and sighting it in this weekend. I have not yet had the opportunity to fire this gun - I'm sure it will be an enjoyable experience.

Mark H.

150 grains are plenty for deer. Unless you hand load don't fall in love with a particular brand of ammo until you've tried them all. Sometimes switching ammo brands makes an inch or more of difference in the size group your rifle will shoot.

Mark�

Below is the post I use to put in this forum whenever someone who wasn�t familiar with the Lever Boss Code asked the age of their Model 99. This post lists every Lever Boss Code and the year to which it pertains. I hope this helps you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ron T.



Savage began stamping the tiny oval on the "lever boss" (the extension of the receiver into which the lever fits and rotates) starting in 1949 when Savage put the letter "A" inside the oval together with other figures.

On many Model 99 rifles, this �oval� is indistinct as are the letters and figures inside the circle. On my own late model �EG�, serial #709XXX, made in 1953, only the letter �E� and the rear half of the oval�s circumference barely show on the lever boss. The front half of the oval�s circumference and whatever is inside the oval in front of the letter �E� is indistinguishable.

The letter "A" inside the tiny oval on the lever boss indicates the rifle was made in 1949. Therefore, the letter:
B = 1950
C= 1951
D= 1952
E= 1953
F= 1954
G= 1955
H= 1956
I= 1957
J= 1958
K= 1959
L= 1960
M= 1961
N= 1962
O= SKIPPED
P=1963
Q= SKIPPED
R= 1964
S= 1965
T= 1966
U= 1967
V= 1968
W= 1969
X= 1970

-------------------------
Here�s a clarifying point posted by Rick99 concerning the same matter: (modified by me 1/23/04 to include the years 1969 & 1970 as requested by Rick99)

�The last year (sic� that Savage used the letters on the lever boss) was 1970. No "O" or "Q" (sic� meaning Savage did not use the letters �O� and �Q� in their annual lettering sequence on the lever boss). But don't bet your poke on what you see stamped. A lot of the letters, when poorly stuck, look like another and a lot of them are poorly struck! When in question ask us for a serial date. I can get you pretty close. My data is not real good on the 60's. I'm still working that area.�

Rick....
-------------------------

And here�s another comment from Jed1899:

�ok heres the scoop...O and Q were not used because of their look alike similarities....This info should be included...�
--------------------------



I hope this helps you and others to determine the year your Model 99 was manufactured.


Strength & Honor,

Ron T.

Ron_T...........

Your remark,...... "The front half of the oval�s circumference and whatever is inside the oval in front of the letter �E� is indistinguishable.".........brings to mind a good question.

On my Savage it is clear as a bell, and is marked (9P)....The question is, what meaning does the 9 have?
My first thought is September, 1963...On the other hand, I can't believe it's that simple...or is it? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully, Russ

Ron,
I noticed my 300 eg, serial number, 5145xx has a * stamped very clear and sharp on the lever boss. I have never seen this before. Has anyone run across this before? It was factory stamped as the blue is factory and it is blued in the stamp. Thanks, Dave <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The number identifies the inspector - there is no month code.

Thanks Lightfoot.
Russ

RBak7x57 and Singleshot1...



I'm sorry I didn't respond more quickly to your questions, but I got busy with other duties and didn't get on the net and back to this forum for a few days.



In the meantime, before I could post an answer your questions indicating I didn't know the answer(s)... and by suggesting that Rick99 would most likely know the answer, Lightfoot posted his answer & 300Jimmy posted his question "An Exception To The Lever Boss Code"... and Rick99 posted his answer on that thread.



I just wanted both of you fine gentlemen to know that I wasn't ignoring or showing any disrespect of either you or your valid questions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />





Strength & Honor...



Ron T.

Not to worry Ron T....... You, Sir, are doing a great job, and it's much appreciated.
Respectfully, Russ

Ron: Can you tell me why my 99F, .300, #762,XXX has the
number 236 in a circle on the lever boss? (facing sideways)?
Its very clear and I haven't noticed numbers addressed, only
letters pertaining to the YOM.

Should be 23G. I'd guess someone set the stamp up wrong if it is "236".

Contender...



Sorry, but Rick99 is the resident Savage expert here. If, as Rick sez, that Boss Code is a "23G", not "236"... then your rifle was manufactured in 1955 according to the information I have.



My own Model 99, #704,XXX, has a definite "E" Boss Code Letter and was manufactured in 1953. Your serial number seems about right to have been manufactured in 1955. Therefore, I'd say that Rick99 is correct in his assumption.



The more I've learned about Savage and some of the odd things they've done through the years, the more I realize how difficult it would be to be completely knowledgeable on the subject.



However, from the years 1949 through at least 1970, the Lever Boss Code letter seems to be "THE" most reliable indicator of the year of manufacture.



Other than what Rick has guessed, I have no idea what "236" would mean.





Strength & Honor...



Ron T.

I got in to big a hurry and didn't post a date. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

From the serial number the rifle would have been made in 1955. The code for that year was "G" or in this case a "6" used in error(?). The first two numbers are the inspectors number with the last being the letter date code.

JMO <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ric and Ron: Thanks a heap for clearing things up for me.
I printed out the whole 9 pages to put in my file. (So my oft
failing memory won't have to ask a similar question again.)