Good Day Gentlemen;
I am hoping you may enlighten me if this 1899 is true.
Yesterday at a gunshow in Ontario a fellow had a Savage 1899 dated at 1901 in 25-35. The bluing was at 80%, the barrel length was 22 inches. The stock was a fairly light colour matching.
Butt plate was steel horizontal lines shotgun shape.
The butt stock was pistol grip with no plastic or metal end cap on the grip.
I am of the opinion the stock is non original but may be wrong. This is my hang up about this gun.I'm thinking it may be a 1899A short Rifle??
It came with 4 boxes of Remington Peters 117 grain ammo and I have 1 week to decide if I want it at $500.00 all in.
Your opinions if possible and I cannot provide pictures as the rifle is about 120 miles from me at present and the seller is an older gent with no use of computers or digital photography.
Respectfully

Doc.

Hard to pass up at $500. Sounds like an 1899A short rifle. Pistol grip available as an option. Don't know about the grip cap.

See if the owner will pull buttplate and check s/n. Pistol grip was an option. Not a bad price for a 25-35.

nash

its a steal even if the butts not correct, ammo is about a hundred bucks alone.

I forgot to mention that the stock is not checkered as well.
I doubt this gentleman will remove the butt plate. the metal butt plate had only the horizontal lines no logo or letters etc.
The other thing is the stock color being light .

Respectfully

Doc.

I don't see how you could go wrong at that price. If the bore is shootable, $500 for any 25-35 is a bargain.

Rod

Sounds like a rifle both Blair and Bert were after a few years ago, maybe the guy that got it decided to part with it.

At $500 with four boxes of shells you can't go wrong, if you pass on it send it my way.

Let me now if your serious as I can get it for $500.
I am way more knowledgeable on old Winchesters and wouldn't have these stock questions. Just too many variations and chances of Bubba working his magic on the 1899 - 99s that I feel real comfortable.

Doc

Hello Doc, according to my Murrays the 25 35 was not offered until 1903. That being said I have a 1899f in 25 35 all factory matching but rebarreled by savage. Back in the days of the customer getting what he wanted the makers would do what you wanted. I would jump on a 25 35 for that because I love the caliber. good luck!

For $500.00 you can't go wrong Doc...Go for it...

I p.m.'d him, kinda leary though, if it was at a show surely there was someone there that knew their 1899's, can't believe if it was a true special order it wouldn't sell.

Yes there were a bunch of dealers there that I know from other shows on the Ontario circuit. I was looking at a NIB BPR 22 mag for $545.00 and this gentlemen literally ran into me carrying a gun case. We entered into a conversation where he wanted to trade a gun for something more common and bigger caliber. I asked what he had and he said a 25-35 and I'm waiting on a 94 to appear and out pops this 1899. He wants to deal it or sell for $500.00 with shells.
Most dealers will only give you 65% of value so apparently none would give him his $500. He approached me the second time as he was leaving and We exchanged info and He'll give me a week to decide. I just hate putting bubba'd into my rack.

Doc.

There's probably several here (me for one) Who would go for it without hesitation. Even if it's a train wreck I can justify it as cost of education...and be pretty much guaranteed of getting most of the investment back out of it.

Joe,

The rifle that Blair and I were interested eventually was traded to Bill. IIRC, it was a 25-35 with an octagon barrel and target sights.

DH,

If the stock was wrong, was the barrel at right? That's more a more costly problem.
At only $25 per box of ammo - the action, barrel and fore end might be worth $400, if it's a 25-35 you're wanting.

Yes Sir it is a round barrel and it seemed to be not too heavy or large diameter and the bore looked real good.
It handled really quick like a Win 94 SRC; very fast pointing. If not for this pistol gripped stock with no end piece and no screw hole in the wood where one may have been attached I would have bought it then. Every thing I researched last nite and this morning shows a plain carbine butt stock if this is a 1899A or H ?
I have no idea where to get proper fore wood and butt stock that matches If this is just plain wrong.
Respectfully

Doc.

Anybody got a pic of a special order pistol grip stock without checkering he could use to match it with?

I can't even google one up.

Maybe pics of one would be in 2012 Savagefest Pics from Calhoun...

Bottom one here is a 1901 1899A SR with pistol grip and checkering, refinished though.

Doc, did it look like that, less the checkering?

Yes ; but the butt plate seemed flatter more shot gun style; that one looks longer in the toe

Doc

Now you've peaked my interest.

Was the buttplate steel or hard rubber with an indian logo on the bottom?

Kinda like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAVAGE-MODEL-99-BUTT-PLATE-/121052969946?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

No Sir;
It is steel with horizontal lines; No other markings; Seemed to fit the stock perfectly no proud wood nor was it too big.

Doc

I would buy the gun TODAY and debate the fine points later. Who knows how many other guys saw the same rifle and are also carrying his phone number around. There is no financial risk in this transaction.

Rod