Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors How is the quality of a Savage 99 built in 1983

Hello Savage-Friends,

I own a Savage 99 from 1913 in .22HP and now I can possibly get a nearly unused Savage 99 from 1983 in .308. The owner bought it new in Canada in 1983 and did not more than 20 shots with it.

The Serial Number is C 140160. Unfortunately I can only see pictures of it bedause it is in an auction. Its looking new and fine. It is a straight one.

Can anybody tell me something about the quality of the 99th of that production area?

Many thanks in advance and best regards from Germany

Pasche

Well, first, unless that gun sat on a shelf for 7 years it wasn't sold in 1983. It dates to 1976. Quality wise they are usually quite good hunting rifles, not a lot of collector interest in most models from that time. By "straight", I presume you mean a straight stock without pistol grip? That would be a model 99A. Never had one myself.

Hello Calhoun,
many thanks for your fast reply! Yes, I ment "straight stock" and you are right, it is a 99A.
I would like to have it for hunting deers and wild boars. Therefore you need in Germany a caliber bigger than my .22hp or my .243! Actually I am hunting with my BLR in 30-06, but I would ever prefere a Savage 99 in a bigger calibre. Unfortunately, they are extremely seldom here in Germany and difficult to get. Now it might be a chance. :o)

Best regards from Germany
Pasche

Pasche,

Given your location, get it. You may not see another. I had a 308 99A from that era and it was fine. You want to hunt it and it will do that just fine.

Yep, I will try to get it. I suppose the auction will be ending at about 800 � for that special gun. What would you have to pay in the USA or in Canada for a 99 .308 from that era?

The quality of that 99A in 308 will be the same as your 1973 in 243, except for the stock differences. If they are unusual for you to find it seems an easy choice to get it. 800 Euro = $1080 which would be pretty steep around here (Northeast USA), but not unprecedented. Typical pricing is about 60-70% of that ($6-700)

Ok, the quality of the 70ties seems to be not as good as the quality of the older guns. Regular price for a used 99 in a bigger calibre is here about 600 �. But this one is in a really excellent condition, thats why the price will be rising higher in the auction.

I like the 99A ok. Have had 308, 250's, and still have 375. Hunted the 250's alot and liked them but never did take to the 308. If you can't find good older 300's I guess it would work. If you plan to hunt it I'm not sure I'd want a collector condition 99 for knocking around. Up to you.

Pasche...

At the price you quoted, that's a pretty high price in the USA even if the rifle is in excellent condition.

That said, if you are willing to pay-the-price, then regardless, it's still a decent price if you believe the rifle is worth it.

However, an older (pre-1960) Model 99 in .300 Savage will do everything the .308 will do if you get 50 yards closer, but .300 Savage ammo may be in short supply in Germany (I dunno whether it is or isn't) and, thus, .300 Savage factory ammo may not be easily obtainable in your area. Of course, if you hand-load, that's not a problem.

I agree with Calhoun concerning the rifle's age. See the excerpt from my records below:
1976 C068xxx, C086746 (Jan), C129280, C2032xx (June),


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

it sounds like they may be few and far between over there in your neck of the woods. I would try to purchase it.. 99's are still quite common over here..the 308 is a great round. IMO the quality of the savages from that era was much better than the winchesters or marlin lever guns of that time.. I don't think that's to much to pay for a great classic rifle

plab

Someone needs to start the conversation about trading some bargain US Savages for some bargain German rifles..who do we have as in import/export resource?

Man, I LOVE the way this guy thinks!!!

yeah, they making a staggeringly nice left hand mauser action over there that I would trade a nice Savage 99 for quickly.

Depending of the politcal party in the government, the situation here in Germany is difficult for gun owners. Actually the Merkel-government is the only party that is not willing to make gun laws harder. But as result of the latest selection the strong Merkel-party "CDU" has to work together with another stront party, the socialilsts "SPD". They and other parties would like to forbide guns generally or to forbide guns in private homes. They are thinking about stocking private guns in central government stations. That would be the end of owning private guns, the end of sport shooting and the end of private hunting. By the way, in the DDR (the old Eastern Germany) the rules were the same. So I am afraid we are going to get a DDR 2.0 here. :o( I like the idea of exchanging guns between Germany and USA, but thinking about our laws and political situation doesn't make me hopefull. However, I will try to get the 99 in .308. Ammunition in that caliber is easy to get here. I also like the 99 in .300 Savage, but that ammo is not common here.

Disarming the German people worked very well for Hitler.

... such as Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Kim Jong Il ....

but nothing lasts for ever !

Pasche I want to compliment you on your beautiful country .I was there back in the 70's and was always very impressed with your hunt clubs and the game . Good luck with your search for a new rifle ,Tom

Hello Tom,
many thanks for your compliment. :o)
Yes, Germany is not big but a diverse country. I am living in the middle in a mountainous area called "Sauerland" were we are hunting mostly for deers, red deers and wild boars. At this time of the year we often have winter battues with packs of dogs and I like to go with the dogs through the thickets and the bushes. Therefore I will not take the savage. Best for that is my "La Coruna FR8" in .308 or my "Python" in .357mag and a good long knife. ;o)
I hope to have somewhen the oportunity and the money to try hunting in USA or Canada.
Best regards!
Pasche

Yesterday I was able to have a look at the 99.
It really looks like new. The owner bought it 1983 in the 100 Mile House in Canada when he was in holidays there and took it with him home to Germany. He sais he has never shot it in Germany and did not more than 20 shot with it in Canada.

But one thing I found strange:
After opening and closing the lever, you can pull the trigger for shooting. As I know it from my other two 99, if you close the lever while pulling the trigger, the gun is no longer cocked or rotated.

At this 99 it is not possible to pull the trigger while closing the lever. So the trigger lock stays rotated and you have to pull the trigger AFTER closing the lever.

So I am not sure if this might be a standard at some 99th or if this special 99 is broken and needs a repair from a gunsmith.

Thanks for your opinions and advices in advance and best regards from Germany

Pasche

After they changed to the tang safety you no longer could slip the trigger while closing the bolt. That should be normal.