Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Looking for some clarification on my 99.

Dear Sirs,

I have just discovered the treasure trove of information in this forum in the last couple days and was wondering if I could get some help ID'ing my 99.

I have a .30-30 T/D that I've been researching using the 3rd Edition of Doug Murray's book and it seems to fit under 99-F on page 3-41 but then again, not really.

The serial number (219,XXX) puts it as a 1920, it has the straight stock and forearm w/schnoble, shotgun buttplate, buttplate marking and barrel adddress fit the year/ser. range, forearm and buttplate are stamped with matching ser. numbers.

What seems off it it has a 22" barrel measured from the muzzle to the breech end of the (square)threads and the book says the 22" wasn't available in the F until 1926/27. Also there is no marking on top of the frame ring, no model marking on the front of the frame and instead of the integral front sight base with bead, it has a dovetailed front sight that looks like the "22-B Rocky Mountain" front sight shown on page 5-15. The only markings on the underside of the barrel is "OFF" in the middle of an arrow pointing in the direction you turn the barrel to remove it.

The only problems with it are that there are tool marks (not deep, but still ) on the barrel near where it meets the frame where at one time some diddlehead apparently didn't know you have to open the action to remove the barrel and tried to take it off with a pipewrench, and I changed out the front sight (still have the original) with a taller replacement because I couldn't get it to shoot low enough. Even with the rear sight all the way down it shot consistently 8" high at 100 yds!

I just yesterday discovered on here the name and address of Mr. Callahan so I plan to contact him eventually. Thanks for any help you'd be willing to give me, and if you need any more details I will get them. I don't have any pictures right now but if it becomes necessary I can get some on the computer.

Sounds like somebody swapped it with an 1899A Short Rifle barrel.


Actually, it could be an 1899A Short Rifle, that would solve the mystery.

Hmm, don't I feel a little silly now. After you said that I read the WHOLE page for the 1899-A Short rifle and now I see where it says under "Changes - Take-down feature not available on this model until 1917". I had stopped before I got that far when I didn't see take-down listed as an original option. That probably is what it is then. Thanks.

Nice find though.

Alot harder to find an 1899A Short Rifle T/D in 30/30 than it is to find an early 99F.

Short rifle barrel is a lot heavier than a 99F/1899H. I've got a short rifle in 303 with SN 225,0xx and a 1899H in 30-30 with SN 217,9xx and there's a significant difference. My SR has a rocky mountain front sight on it in a dovetail as well, the 1899H has the integral front base.

And never have lettered them, I'm just curious as to whether they are logged as 1899's or 99's.

Rory, what's that odd looking thing on top of that rifle?

Mr. Saw, what rear sight is on your rifle? (Welcome to the forum by the way.)

Just a visual aid.

That sucker shoots tiny little groups, even though it's an ugly gray rat.

Visual aid, as in overhead projector? Power point?

Visual aid, as in "Hey, I can see that critter now!".

Probably make a good carrying handle too, no?

No. Ain't no worries about rubbing the blue off by carrying it with one hand underneath.

Scope is a 3-9x40mm Leupold, not as big as it looks in that pic.

Thanks for the welcome. I decided on Mr. Saw because a few years ago I cut my hand with my chainsaw and my father had a bunch of t-shirts made for me that say "Mr. Saw" with a picture of a chainsaw and a bloody glove.

Anyway, my rear sight looks like this one.


My Dad had an extra Williams peep laying around he took off another 99 so I have that on there now, but this rear is still on it.

How do you like the looks of that Williams on your gun? Kind of like a princess with 2 black eyes ain't it?

Oh: And welcome to the forum.

You're right it doesn't really match very well, but the orange Williams Firesight I have on the front kind of balances it out.

Once I get done Duracoating it all WinterTwig pattern it will blend in better and it won't be as noticeable anyway.
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Just Kidding!!!!! I could almost hear the collective gasps through the computer!

Jesus:

He's going to fit right in round here

hahahaha

must have been lurking for awhile ,He already has the timber of us guys

WELCOME
NORM

Got a few pictures. I got a pic of my rear sight so I was going to replace the pic I borrowed but I can't figure out how to modify my previous post.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg168/covertski/P3240448.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg168/covertski/P3240449.jpg

On the same card I had pics of my .32-20 Savage Sporter so I figured I'd throw them on too for the heck of it.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg168/covertski/P3240455.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg168/covertski/P3240454.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg168/covertski/P3240453.jpg

Welcome to the savage nut house! just kidding most are great guys here. hows your 32-20 shoot, Im not a bolt guy but like the 32-20, and may get one of these one day!
John

Shoots better than it looks; pretty good within the cartridge's limitations. I've taken a couple woodchucks with it, but I don't try any farther than I usually do with my .22 Mag.