Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 99F in .308 with unclear lever boss code: date help?

I have just picked up a 99F in .308 with a serial number of 943,xxx [not coy: just don't remember the last 3 digits]. It has a lever boss code that looks like a circle with a 1 7 I or 1 7 J in it. I can't tell which of the last letters it is, or even if I am reading it right side up. The bottom 1/3 of the circle is missing, as the person stamping it held the punch at too much of an angle.

I am thinking it has to be an I or a J letter, but thought I'd ask to see if people here can give me any more guidance with the date based on serial number.

It has the lever-mounted safety, with a brass rotary magazine and number indicators.

Any thoughts about year? And why.

Thanks.

Serial number puts it into 1957, which would be an I on the stamp. 1957 had a LOT of 900,000 series rifles made according to the stamp (range of 40,000'ish), 1958 only about 25% as many at 9,000'ish. Why? Dunno.

Good grab though, any 50's rifle in a Winchester cartridge is one to look hard at.

Thanks for the quick and informative reply!

I thought it was probably a 57, but I really can't see enough to make out "I" or "J". It all depends on how high the bottom of the "J" curls in the Savage stamp. No sign of it though.

Do you happen to know what year they first released the Model 99 in a .308? I was thinking around 56, but wasn't sure.

Thanks again!

Some 900,000's with a 1955 date stamp.