The tang safety looks like the one in patent US2465699 by Wilfred Smith and assigned to Savage Arms - applied for Dec 1946... so the date is close. (the patent is on the patents CD from the Savage Fest). The safety is shown separate from the tang and the exposed part that catches the lever is shaped the same as yours. Looking at the patent, one screw should allow the safety button to lift up so the so the stock can be removed. You might have the prototype, it logical they would have used a safety button they already had so it might be exactly the same as the shotgun's.
Thought I'd replied to this, but I don't see my reply.
Gene, I agree. The first patent application looks exactly like my safety, from the separation from the tang, to the one screw behind the safety, to the hook on the side the slides forward into the lever safety area. And I don't see any spring-loaded gotcha's in that drawing or in the patent description, so I might attempt to remove the buttstock after all. Tomorrow.
My copy of the CD with all the patents has gone AWOL, probably buried under assorted stuff on my messy desk. Time to clean the desk, I suppose... <shudder>
Fug's prototype EG with a tang safety looks extremely similar to mine. The only difference is where mine has one screw behind the tang safety and an S in front of it, his has a screw both behind and in front of the safety and no S. Same loop on the side that engages where the lever safety did as mine, as well as the same button for the safety. I'd guess his might be the initial prototype for patent 2465699, and mine a final one?
Originally Posted by ctw
Okay How about picts of the D&T? Most all of that collection went out that way. I think Kittery pedaled a bunch of it.
The d&t is just standard holes through the top, right through the SAVAGE MODEL 99 stamp. Had Weaver #14/#19 bases on it, so that's the ONE thing I'm fairly confident doesn't date to 1945.
Last edited by Calhoun; 08/18/19.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Oops.. missed that a bent spring is involved in part 32 in the diagram. I would guess that it doesn't come out just by removing the screw.... but now I'm paranoid again. Hmm.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Look at it again, to me it looks like the spring is attached to the small base for the safety and the button has a cross pin under the spring to hold it on and in position, it's a small assembly that should all come out all in one piece by removing the one screw.... nothing should go flying.. but is it exactly the same as the patent drawing? that is still an unanswered question. When you start to get the screw loose, wrap a plastic bag around it if your unsure.
I would think the single screw might have been thought to not be sturdy enough, it might be the original version.
Looking at it again I would not be to surprised to find that the spring is not a separate piece but part of the base that was punched on three side with one end left attached, it's shown as the same thickness. When I worked with punch press we used tooling to make similar formed 'prongs' that would be parted on three sides and formed in a single hit of the tool set. That part could be made as a single piece with just three different tools sets, maybe just two. Savage was very experienced with stamping out small sheet metal parts, look at some of the sights.
Last edited by GeneB; 08/19/19. Reason: added note
Capturing the pieces as they fly apart on disassembly doesn't worry me too much.
It's whether it's tricky to re-assemble that worries me.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
I think Fug told me his gun was about 500,000 - so it'd be 2 years later than mine by serial number. In real time, no idea when they finished working on mine, obviously.
Here's Fug's:
Last edited by Calhoun; 08/19/19.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Anybody recall an extra available in the early 20’s up to early 40’s called “Damascening of bolt and finger lever”? Cost just a bit less than getting K style engraving at $10 vs $12 in 1928 thru 1931).
And that we’ve never seen a gun with finger lever damascened?
I think we have one now.
Pictures will be up sometime today. Can’t say it’s my favorite feature on the lever...
Everything on this gun might be freaking factory except the d&t. At this point, not sure I want to rule that out.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
So.. is this the first factory example of "Damascening of Bolt and Finger Lever" that we've seen? Yet another thing we'll never be sure of.. unless we find others like it.
From 1934 price list:
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Not a pad, since there's practically no give to it. It's labelled a No-Slip Butt Plate, and I'd call it a replacement buttplate. I did some searching, but didn't find any Fray-Merson buttplates stamped like this. Most of the stamps are vertical on the buttplates.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
My bloody computer keeps autocorrecting it to Merson. I have had to repeat some searches. Argh.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
My 1935 vintage EG has a damascened bolt. I always figured it was aftermarket. The lever is case hardened.
wyo1895 With Savage never say never. For a copy of my book on engraved Savage lever actions rifles send a check for $80 to; David Royal, p.o. box 1271, Pinedale, Wy., 82941. I will sign and inscribe the book for you. [email protected]
Yep, I’ve got a couple 1899s/99s with damascened bolts also, and I’m sure they were aftermarket. Savage WOULD do it, especially on special orders, but not normally on everyday 99s.
Since we’ve never seen a damascened lever, I’d totally forgotten they listed this option for so long. Fug said he can’t recall seeing one with the lever done either. Doesn’t mean mine is definitely factory... but never say never.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Very cool! Does look like mine. Any idea of the date or serial number range on that one?
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Going to add this in here.. a 99T in 300 Savage with 22" barrel that sold at Rock Island Auction a while back.
But the serial number is 425,527. Should fall into late 1944 or early 1945.
Obviously a 99T, with 99T checkering. This one falls 4000 serial numbers under the earliest 99RT's we've seen. My rifle falls right at the beginning of the 99RT range.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Savage employs found some left over parts and put it together.
wyo1895 With Savage never say never. For a copy of my book on engraved Savage lever actions rifles send a check for $80 to; David Royal, p.o. box 1271, Pinedale, Wy., 82941. I will sign and inscribe the book for you. [email protected]