Can someone tell me of this rifle was factory drilled for scope mounts? S/N 779504 Thanks, Dave

Yep.

Starting around 750,000 all 99's were factory d&t.

You should see "SAVAGE MODEL 99" stamped on the side of the receiver as well. On ones that weren't factory d&t, it would be directly on top where the holes go through.

If you have the rifle in hand look at the receiver bridge ahead of the bolt. If the Savage makers mark is stamped on the side it’s factory drilled. Savage did not drill through their makers mark (which would be found up top) at the factory.

Thanks guy. What I wanted to know. I wish I could easily post a photo here. Trying to figure if it is all original. Dave

Upload it to the Image Gallery forum that's below the Free Classified. Easy to upload full sized pictures there, and easy for us to find.

Found the image gallery. How do you copy photos there? Dave

Also.....should this rifle have checkering? Stock is plain. Dave

If you start a new post in that forum, it will have a "file manager" or "image manager" button. Click on that and you can select photos to upload.

And yeah, all the 1950's models had checkering. Maybe sanded off, or replaced wood.

Images posted! Calhoun......your thoughts?

Definitely has a replaced stock. Looks okay, tho they could have trimmed more off to get a better fit of wood to metal. It’ll hunt.

Looks like it may have started life as a late 50s 99EG or R. Probably an EG.

At that serial number, I don’t think there’s any difference between a 99EG and 99R barreled action?

Thanks guys. Owner was trying to pass it off as an all original rifle. Why do people feign stupidity to try to sell a bubba'd rifle?
Moving on. I do appreciate the help. David

MONEY!!!

I was factoring in the potential for it being an EG based on an assumption of Savage having made and sold far fewer Rs.

I saw a 99 in 300 Savage this passed weekend that was an R or an RS, but the stocks were painted black.

It would be easy to show that there are way more altered/damaged/bubba-fied 99s out there than there are complete intact originals, just take a look at the sticky thread about 1899/99 originals. It is our sacred duty to preserve any original 99 we come across, and keep our thumb on would-be tinkerbells who would wreck another one.

Ah, nevermind.

Not all in existence today are pristine originals. What's already been damaged or bubbaed is fair game.