I have acquired a 20" barrel, .25-35 with the serial number 426XX. From what i have been able to gather, this is from the early 1900's. It has had the stock replaced, but the original fore end came with the rifle (it has the matching serial number on it). The profile of the original fore end matches the replacement.
What year was it produced and what model do I have?
Also, it has two holes in the tang, but they do not appear to be tapped. I assume these were for a tang sight?
By serial number, your rifle dates should date to early October, 1903 - but you need to know that rifles weren't finished in serial number order and any given rifle could be delayed by months or even a year. But October, 1903 is a good bet.
The model is tougher to know. The gun has been modified a lot.It probably started life as a model 1899A with a 26" barrel, or a model 1899A SR (Short Rifle) with a 22" barrel. As you can see, either way the barrel was probably cut down to 20".
The holes in the tang are for a tang sight, and they should be threaded. If you take a look at savage99.com, he has a page with common tang sights found on Savage 1899's.
“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 will take care of that, or possibly add a tang sight. I was concerned because the holes expose the action to dirt.
I am not surprised if it was modified. This was a ranch rifle and probably never saw a safe. It was carried in saddle scabbards and behind the seat of a pickup probably most of its life. Not pretty at this point, but in good shape mechanically and has a good bore.
I will take care of that, or possibly add a tang sight. I was concerned because the holes expose the action to dirt.
I am not surprised if it was modified. This was a ranch rifle and probably never saw a safe. It was carried in saddle scabbards and behind the seat of a pickup probably most of its life. Not pretty at this point, but in good shape mechanically and has a good bore.
If it's got a good bore, then have fun with it. There's nothing wrong with guns that have been used for what they were made for and still work.
“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
After looking at it closer, the lever appears to have been bent. It has marks on it like it was hammered just behind the trigger guard and I have never seen pictures of a 99 with a lever quite that shape. Was it likely that this gun started out as a straight grip?
Also any idea what the cut on the top of the front receiver ring is for in the attached photo?
Lever has definitely been bent. Early rifles at that time had an almost straight lever even if the rifle had a factory pistol grip added. The buttstock is a replacement, so somebody was trying to fit the lever to it is my guess.
I have no idea why the cut is on the front receiver ring.
“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
Just bought a 99 # 4239xx lbc 3. 300 savage.d & t for weaver bases with weaver rings and a old jc Higgins 6x (weaver). Tight no stock cracks rear dovetail plugged no frt sight or holes for it barrel length 21.5". What model is it? Utica address on barrel. Schnabel forend. Mb
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
Thanks jaaack appreciate it. The rifle had the butt and plate replaced with 4247xx, the forend is original and had a crack back to the forend screw but repaired, it is not really nice as condition goes you can tell it got used. I am sure it could tell some stories.I'll sight it in. Shoot it some, allways wanted one to hunt with for the experience of using a 99. Probably got screwed had to pay 325 for it.
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
If it's a solid frame with a thin forearm with a schnabel tip, EG for sure. There are a few oddballs that show up in that range, but very few.
“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
Exactly as you describe it. Gave it a shot of wipeout and let it sit a few minutes patched it out. Took 4 shots to get within an inch of my target center on the 50 yard butt. Was using 150 gr WW Power Pts. Will put some 3031 and 150 grain sierras together for it. See what it will do. MB
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
The G&H looks aftermarket, the screws aren't ground down and blued to blend in with the receiver.
But... That isn't just a 99R, with the studs that seems be a 99RS. It is the 1930's style of 99RS, and if all parts number I'm pretty sure it's the latest one we have information on. That's cool! It probably didn't originally have the tang sight, it probably had a Redfield 70LH receiver sight - but that had to go when the G&H scope mount was put on.
The 99RS was different from the 99R by having sling studs with a flat bottom, sling swivels and sling, and a peep sight.
SWEET! That's a new one, it being above 500,000. It answers the question of what was Savage sending out as R's for those couple of years.
Here's a 1930's 99RS without swivels or sling:
Revisiting this from above... It occurs to me another thing to check is about where the tang is drilled/tapped for the sight. If the RS models had a Redfield 70LH receiver sight... would the factory drilled/tapped screw holes have exactly matched the Lyman 1A?
The front of the Lyman base starts at approx .70" behind the "cocked" indicator, and the two holes in the Lyman base are approx 1.15" apart...
The tang holes on all 1895's/1899's/99's from 1895 through 1959 were exactly identically placed by the factory. The sights from different manufacturers were made specifically for the Savage 99 family and would fit any of them up to 1959. From 1960 on, the tang holes disappeared but all rifles were d&t for scope bases.
So the Redfield and Lyman would both fit.
“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 checked sights the other day, starting with the original Weaver K2.5 (some slight adjustment), then the tang sight (inch low, 1½" left), then ending with the newer Leupold 1.5-5x. Might get one more hunt in with it, this year. Have to admit, the stock shape isn't perfect for use with scope, even less perfect for use with scope from the bench. Still, I got 'er done...
I'm afraid I'm having to admit it's getting on toward time for some estate planning, evaluation, eventual solution with no heirs etc... <sigh>...
Shooting older 99's with scopes takes a bit of getting used to due to the low comb, but folks have been doing it for 120 years. It's doable. Take pics from the hunt!
“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
![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/139184/filename/Lyman_tang1_snap.JPG)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/download/Number/139185/filename/Lyman_tang2_snap.JPG)