Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Old Savage lever questions

Hi Savage nuts...Fellow over at leverguns.co sent me this way to you... Guess it is to bug you guys for answers.
So here goes...
First question, I have an old Savage and it is marked MODEL 1899 on the barrel, But it has the hole in the bolt for observing if its cocked or not. Thought that was on only 1895 model rifles... Barrel has been cut on both ends.
Second question, Serial number is 81. 721 My other Savages do not have a marking as such in the serial number, they are continuous, No period in between. Is that how they marked them origionally?
Question three, were any guns plted from factory? This one has a gold/bronze or something plating on the barrel and reciever but not on the lever.
Final Question, The barrel and reciever both look like they were forged.. was wondering if it got rusted years ago or if they had acid etched it to get the plating to stick? Where the rear tang peepsite was (gone when I got it) the metal is smooth.. So do you fellows have any answers to my questions?
The thread on leverguns is;
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=46362
there are pictures over there too.
Thank you, SmokenRust

[img]http://www.levergunscommunity.com/download/file.php?id=8134&mode=view[/img]

Well, good questions. That is an 1895 bolt and it's an 1895 stock as well, but the receiver serial number is definitely from an 1899 - probably 1908 mfr. They did offer nickel, silver and gold plating - but you could also get all of them after market.

The "." in the serial number is normal, they did this for the first years.

Quite frankly.. I don't understand the mix of 1895 parts and 1899 receiver/barrel. An 1895 stock on an 1899 I could understand, an 1899 bolt on an 1895 I could understand.. but 1895 stock AND bolt on an 1899 receiver/barrel is odd.

Not a lot of condition left, but I'd still pay $25 for a letter.

Calhoun, I thought you were going to say that you would still pay $25 for the gun... LOL
I understand the letter for winchesters are more expensive.
To get a letter, where does one find the contact information?
Wish I did have its lifelong history... but only have what I posted on LG
It is also chambered in 30-30 cal. I had thought possibly the 303SAV but it isn't. Thanks for reply.

Look in the "Misc. Good Info" thread that's a sticky in this forum and search it for Callahan. It will have mailing information for a letter.

Another thing to do is pull the buttplate off and there should be another serial number on the buttstock and buttplate. That will be the serial number of the 1895 that it was originally on.

Thanks for the info,
The serial number on both buttstock and buttplate are 5984.
The safety on the latch has a pin that goes into a hole on the lever, not the latch sliding into a slot on the side of the lever to lock.

that was the standard safety for a number of years.

welcome to the forum ,few more pics would be nice it`s interesting when something like your shows up. as it keeps us wondering WHO what Where And WhY

norm

Norm99,"keeps us wondering WHO what Where And WhY " That is a big Yup.
I wonder why they didn't leave the origional reciever and barrel with the buttstock and forearm and the bolt...
Thanks for the Welcome.. SmokenRust
Here are more pics, you might get tired of them.






[img]http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/325460000/325460270/pix735744271.jpg[/img]
[img]http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/325460000/325460270/pix171354246.jpg[/img]
[img]http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/325460000/325460270/pix537697422.jpg[/img]
[img]http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/325460000/325460270/pix435177114.jpg[/img]

This picture right here shows me the swap wasn't done at the factory. No way would they do anything that had the side panel that proud to the metal on the receiver.





So best guess is that some gunsmith took two old Savages with issues and combined them to make one functioning rifle.

You found your way to the right bunch of fellows to answer all your questions. Glad to have you here, I had a hand in bidding you up on that gun. I was most curious about the metal finish, I had guessed plated but it was impossible to tell from the photos.

What made you think the barrel was cut at the breech end?

Jeff, Theres always seems like just one person out there that thinks like I do... and that must be you. A feller fond of Guns
I watched it from the first day it was on and it looked like one that was beggin to come home so it would be with its other brothers, and along with the other misfits. Just glad it didn't go any higher.
For my questions, there were some interest on LG, and more interest in this gun from others here at the campfire.
I like hearing what the thoughts and responses are from those that have more and better info than I do.
Seen this rifle with the indicator in the bolt and I knew it was earlier that the others I have, (1912, 1918) But I didn't know the finnes of the years by models and styles.
Why I thought it was cut at the breach? Well, where the caliber would have been stamped, there was just a letter S at the shoulder. and take the forearm off there was a second dovetail cut 1" farther up.
The muzzel still some light saw marks visible too.
I would put a picture up of the plating but don't know how to post it on here from my computor. Thanks, SmokenRust

Smokenrust, glad that you got some real dope on your rifle. I knew these gentlemen would be of great assistance!

Airedaleman, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.Got a better idea about it now.

Now if I send for a letter from Callahan, Do I use the seriel number 81. 721 or the 5984 ? LOL ... I know, I'll just send for an 81.721/5984 letter. LOL LOL.

John T Calahan
53ld quarry Rd.
Westfield , Ma 01085

Send check for 30.00

allow 4 weeks for reply

Mohawk70, I found the misc. thread for Calahan and it says;

John T. Callahan,
Savage Arms Historian
PO Box 82
Southampton, MA, 01073
New address 2012

So is your address correct or old address?

It also states...
"NOTE: If you state that you are a "24" member and list your "24" name you can purchase the Savage 1895's, 1899's and 99's letter for $25.00 each."
LOL

Being this rifle has two different serial numbers, Are you saying that maybe he would paper both serial numbers on this gun for $30? mmm

Wish I had both the guns as sent from factory.
Oh well, it is what it is. So now to wait for better weather to shoot it to see how good it is. Sleeting & snowing out right now with winds to kick up.

The post in the misc is current.