Every 99 Centennial I've seen was with a box. I assume that was the standard offering of the time.
We'll probably never know the details, but, Savage planned for this commemorative rifle, say 1000 in quantity. Knowing full well they'd sell 2000 if they could.
But back to the 1000 quantity, Savage would be responsible for production fall out, service and support so would order over and beyond the 1000 required by some amount. 1250 is a guess. Only Savage's production planner would know for sure.
So Savage produced and sold all they could with some boxes left over. Save the leftover hardware and sell the boxes is a likely scenario.
JMO
