Maine 207... WELCOME TO THE FORUM !~!~! 
Here's an excerpt from my records. The inspector's number and the rifle's Lever Boss Code letter are shown immediately behind the rifle's serial number in the excerpt:
E= 1953: 6664XX (19E), 694,7XX(19E) 699XXX(19E), 709xxx(3E-my rifle), 7237xx(20E) 724xxx(20E), 8351xx(0E), I agree with Rory (Calhoun)... your rifle was probably manufactured in 1953. However, we could be more sure of that date if you'd give us the Lever Boss Code.
The Lever Boss Code ("LBC") is the surest way to establish the date of manufacture. If you'll give us the LBC, we can more accurately give you the date of manufacture.
Savage began to stamp the Lever Boss Code (LBC) on their Model 99s in 1949. It is found on the lever boss... that extension on the lower, front side of the receiver into which the lever is fastened and rotates. You will probably need a magnifying glass to see the very small, poorly stamped OVAL inside of which is the "code" consisting of the inspector's number first, then the letter designating the year of manufacture.
Therefore, the LBC of a rifle made in 1953 would appear like this:
19EIn fact, the oval may be so poorly stamped as to not be a complete oval, but only a partial oval and a partial LBC. Don't mistake the front or rear half of the oval as a large letter "C"... the Lever Boss Code itself is considerably smaller than the oval.
In 1949, the letter "A" was used. In 1950, the letter "B" was substituted for the "A". In 1951, the letter "C" was substituted for the letter "B"... and so on, and so on... until 1971 (LBC ="Y") at which time the stamping of the LBC on the lever boss was stopped. The letters "O" and "Q" were not used in the LBC series due to their similarity.
I hope this helps...
Strength & Honor...
Ron T.
