Looking at a 303 1899 #82xxx.Rifle has a 22" octagon barrel that doesn't appear to have been cut.Also has a dovetailed front sight and a windage adjustable tang sight.Would this be an 1899B with a special order barrel?Anyone have one?

definiely in the realm of likely, especially if it looks right.

It's advertized as a "short rifle" but has a curved rifle buttplate like a standard 1899A or B.

unless you get a letter showing it came from factory or a later work order, no way of knowing for sure, I have the exact same thing w/letter "that did not come from factory w/22" barrel, front sight is correct and dovetail looks professionally done. with no proof its just another shooter, imo

I hear ya

Most other companys supply a curved butt plate when you ordered a "short rifle", maybe Sav did the same.

Anybody have pics of the front sight dovetail boss on their rifle.
I also have a 22" octagon barrel with a raised boss for the front dovetail to be cut thru. It looks like that was the only way to provide enough meat to cut a dovetail as the barrel also has what looks like a rapid taper.