Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Missing Serial Number on 1899 ?

I am new to the Forum and trust the Savage 99 experts to be able to help me out. I presently own a 99C but have been searching for an older model F. I have come across one that is in great condition in .300 Savage that the owner claims to be a 1947. I am a little suspicious due to the fact that there is no serial number on the receiver! The only serial number that I could find was stamped on the underside of the buttplate. Every other 99 that I have seen has the serial number stamped on the bottom side of the receiver directly forward of the lever hinge boss. This particular rifle has a blued barrel, case hardened lever, but the receiver is polished metal. My question is this receiver a factory original or a copycat? I am not really looking for a collectors item but I am concerned about its originality. If you can offer some advise it would be appreciated. Thanks.

sounds bad

keep shoppin...

Either a case of a stupid Bubba polishing job, or something more nefarious.

It's always something! And let me add, if it don't look like there is, look closer

Pictures help.....it's all speculation otherwise.

Lunchbox special?

If the receiver's been polished, odds are that they just polished the serial number right off of the metal. Can't be a 99F made in 1947 tho, only 99EG's were made in 1947. No serial number on the buttstock or forearm, just the buttplate?

The reciever is likely from the factory....guess that was the real question. There would have been no F recievers in 47. So thats myth. It's just about impossible to say without actually seeing the rifle.

Or, mebbe a really skilled Bubba made it in his basement and hadn't gotten around to putting a number on it. (Well... it COULD happen!)

For what it is worth, I had a 99G in .250 years ago that had the serial number either ground or filed off. I took the rifle to the State Patrol and their lab was able to re-establish the serial number for me. That didn't fix the butcher job on the receiver but they were able to assure me that no one was looking for that rifle. The sad part about it was that the only thing wrong with that gun was the butchered serial number, the rest of it was pretty good. And the re-established serial number did agree with the buttplate and forearm. Whoever butchered the serial number on the receiver didn't know that number was also on other parts...

Guy I know sent one back to Savage in the 60's for receiver replacement and his came back with numbered receiver. In most states it would be illegal to own that unnumbered gun. More than likely number was removed to hide identification.

Keep looking, lots of guns out their that are legal. Who needs the problems and the possibility of confiscation. GW

In most states it would be illegal to own that unnumbered gun.

Prior to the GCA of '68, serial numbers were not required. Not saying that this firearm has not been altered. I know I have several rifles that don't have serial numbers and the PO-PO haven't bum rushed the house yet. YMMV

Thanks for all the comments guys. Much appreciated. The owner lives about an hour away from me...next time by I'm going to take a closer look to see if any numbers are visible on the buttstock and forestock. I will also take some photos to share. Just as an example of how great our Canadian Firearms Registry is this 99 is legally registered using only the number on the butt plate which could be removed and attached to almost any other gun you wished!!! I'll post some additional info when I get it...maybe in the next week or two.
Thanks to all.