A little back ground, I shot my first deer using my grandfathers savage .358. I was so excited he promised me the rifle, unfortunatly when i recieved it, it was because of his death. He was a great man and always told me you have to know the history to tell the story. So here i am with a beautiful rifle and a lovely story with no history. I cant find too much information on the Rifle and when i call around most people either tell me it doesnt exist or how much for it. Well heres the info i know i hope you guys can help. Its a model 99, Seris A, it has several stamps on the barrel they include, a diamond with 1 in the middle, a square with 1 in the middle, a circle with SP1 in it, a circle with 83 in it, and then a plan S8 stamp. I dont know if this will help. But when people ask me about it i would like to give them close to accurate history on the rifle. Thanks for taking your time to read this.

First, I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather. It's never an easy thing for any of us to lose a loved family member.


As to the rifle, give the first part of the serial number (X out the last 2 digits), and a couple of folks here can tell you exactly what year it was mfr'd.

As to the model, here's what I know (with referencing Murray's).

Model sounds like the Savage 99 Brush Gun. Has a straight stock, 22" barrel, sling studs, came with a recoil pad. Made from 1977 to 1980, and only offered in 358 from 1977 to 1979. The 375 was added in 1980. Has a tang safety, rotary magazine with cartridge counter, pin-type cocking indicator on the top. Forearm should have finger grooves on it.

If you stay around and soak up some 99 lore from us, you'll hear lots of references to pre-mils and post-mils. In 1960, the factory moved and the serial number range went above 1 million. And cost cutting measures were introduced and so a lot of the old style quality and class disappeared forever. Thus, rifles made in 1959 and earlier are pre-mils, and 1960 and later are post-mils. So the post-mils are generally looked down on by collectors.

The 358 and 375 brush guns are not looked down on. Folks may grump that they don't have the same quality as the old rifles, but they are very desirable rifles to own. Add into this the origin of your rifle, and it's a priceless treasure. So when folks rant about how bad post-mils are, don't let it get to you.

The Savage 99 series started as the Savage 1895 which was made from 1895 to 1899, then the Savage 1899 which ran from 1899 until early 1920's, then the Model 99's were made up through the 80's, and a few later. Browse on over to www.savagela.org and you can view pictures of most of the various models made during the years,a nd we'd love to see a picture of yours if you get around to it.

Welcome to the forum!

Welcome aboard!!
What Calhoun Said!

Welcome to the club!
Cherish that rifle! Not only is it a fine weapon, it once belonged
to a great man and will be a source of fine memories for you. My
father left me far to early in life, but his guns that I own always
bring a smile to my face when I pick them up!

Jerry

.358 is a powerful cartridge and that is a terrific forest hunting rifle for the lower 48. Will kick a bit though.

Thank you for the info, i will post some pictures and the serial number shortly, you all have been a great help. One thing i noticed though, When hunting in mich, any shop seems to carry rounds for this rifle, since then ive moved to ca and now de and no one carry's rounds. Drove into PA yesterday to look and nothing, its been awhile but am i relegated to reloading and/or buying online

Miwolve have you a picture to post and the serial numbers yet? I may have missed the post as I'm not on here often. The .358 brush gun has never been heavy to me. I may take it to the Ozarks for whitetail this fall. If you reload some day try a few of the Remington 200 gr in both round nose and pointed. One may be better than the other for precision but both will kill whitetails DRT. Good luck. Rustyzipper