Hello,

I'm new to this site and the 99 world. I've always been a levergun fanatic and was attracted to the 99 for some different ammo varieties over the standard round nose tube fed stuff.

Well I started looking for a 99F in a 308 and somehow ended up with two instead of one. Go figure. However, I really thought about only keeping one but wanted a better of 99 from the two, and I question the rear sight as original on the older one. Also, The older one looks to have had a slip-on pad on it at one time and has some water staining in the finish.

This is were my question lies....
(1) Is this an original sight, non-folding, for the 1955 99? Or should it have the folding sight like the post 1-mil S/N?
(2) Is one more desirable or likely to be a better shooter. I've shot the post-mil with the scope but have not shot the older one yet. Maybe it needs a peep sight and just keep both:-)



*** Pre 1-mil S/N ***
- S/N = 901,xxx
- Cal = 308Win
- Barrel Marking = Chicopee Falls, Mass
- Trigger = Blued
- Mag Rotor/Indicator = Brass
- Safety = Lever
- Rear Sight = Non-folding
- Lever Boss Code = 25 G (?? G=1955 ??)
- Barrel = 22" long
- Buttplate = Steel



*** Post 1-mil S/N ***
- S/N = 1,054,xxx
- Cal = 308Win
- Barrel Marking = Westfield, Mass
- Trigger = Gold
- Mag Rotor/Indicator = Aluminum
- Safety = Tang
- Rear Sight = Folding
- Lever Boss Code = 10 P (?? P=1963 ??)
- Barrel = 22" long
- Buttplate = Steel
- Scope = Weaver K4 with rings



Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks - Brad

The sights look original, but the second (later) one has the wrong elevator.

The folding buckkhorn was used from about 1959 and later so they look correct except for the elevator FB noted.

The pre million gun is the best in the eyes of most folks here. The redesign for the tang safety uses stamped parts and the trigger is usually heavy and creepy.

I'd keep both or at least the one that shoots the best!

Definitely

Welcome to the Savage Collectors Forum Brad!

Keep both. At least the post-mil is early enough to have hand checkering.

Wait till you end up with 20 instead of one.

Happened to me....

^^ Me too. Can't go wrong with the 308. Until you run outta ammo. Which I did . Until today .