Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Finally a Tomato Stake Worth Keeping

I finally picked up a late EG in high condition, about 95% bluing [beautiful midnight black], case colour and wood, chambered for a 308. It came with a 2.5 Weaver [post & reticle, my personal favourite] and the standard crack at the tang which needs some attention. It will get my usual trigger job. I'll get pics up later.

Serial number # 9610XX and "K" lever code for you guys recording this info. Anyone selling steel stock bolts? I'd like to swap the aluminium out of this one.

I guess I'm reloading for a 308 again.

That will be a nice setup. Can't wait to see pic's.

nash

Congrats on snagging that really nice EG with the Weaver 2.5x scope, Olgrouser.

Does that "K" LBC have an inspector's number?

Congrats Bert! 308EG is a good one and pretty rare!

Good deal Bert. Sounds like a beaut. I know you'll enjoy it.

A later, factory tapped, EG in something other than .300 is gun I don't run across very often. Nice find.

Rod

Winchester tomato stakes are groovy

OK guys.... you've got me stumped. I know, I'm a newbie here, but now I've got a couple questions....

1. What in the hell is a "tomato stake"????

2. And..... what does "LBC" mean????

Thanks guys....

1. Many years ago one of our esteemed colleagues expressed his dislike for EG model by labeling them 'tomato stakes' It's kind of an inside joke by now I suppose.

2. LBC is the lever boss code that has relevance beginning in 1949 since it includes a date code. A=1949, B=1950 etc. Befoe that it is just an inspector's stamp.

He called the EG's a tomato stake because it is, by far, the most common Savage 99 model out there.

99EG tomato stake:




LBC (17I == 1957):

Actually if the thread is still available, you all will find that I put the words in Joe's mouth as a tease knowing his dislike for EGs. Tomato stakes are what we called old Belgium double barrel shotguns with ruined barrels that weren't good for anything else.

Ron the inspector code is "11K." Would you post an updated pre mil 1959 -1960 set of LBC and corresponding serial numbers? I'd appreciate it.

Here's the old girl:

That's a beauty! Congrats!!
3stars

Does not show her 53 years at all. A real beauty

Condition, condition, condition

Where have I heard that before...?

Hey THANKS guys.... that helps when reading your posts. Now, I'm not quite so dumb....

I just went and looked at my 99 (circa 1930) and there is no such marking on the forward part of the trigger guard.... I presume that is because is is circa 1930....

Thanks again for your replys....

Purdy!

Thanks all. Thought you guys might like it; I certainly did.

Ibmercy,

LBC only started to be stamped into the levers in 1949. Earlier guns can be dated [approximately] by the serial numbers. The Savage factory manufactured about 10,000 guns per year thus a rifle with serial number 34X,XXX was probably made in 1934 so I'll guess your gun is numbered 30X,XXX. This holds true until about 1940.

olgrouser..... you are pretty close... SN is 329264.... not real good shape, has been dropped or in a hard fall... see my posts in "savage 99".....pics there..... Was Mom's gun... and I'll attempt to get it 'restored' and use it myself...

The stuff you need is available. Whether or not its within your budget is up to you. Best wishes on your quest.

[quote=olgrouser]I finally picked up a late EG in high condition, about 95% bluing [beautiful midnight black], case colour and wood, chambered for a 308. It came with a 2.5 Weaver [post & reticle, my personal favourite] and the standard crack at the tang which needs some attention. It will get my usual trigger job. I'll get pics up later.

Serial number # 9610XX and "K" lever code for you guys recording this info. Anyone selling steel stock bolts? I'd like to swap the aluminium out of this one.

what length bolt do you need ??

norm