Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Just acquired my first Model 1899/99

I'll say it again. I never said the configuration was for certain factory, I pointed out some evidence that it might be a different factory configuration that was not obvious. Do you really think Calhoun knows every model99 configuration that Savage produced? Calhoun do you think that? I'll check the factory like you said, now that is logical....

I don't know that much about Savage lever guns, but I don't recall any that were cataloged with a combination of a curved buttplate, a solid frame, and a 20" barrel.

The factory can't help you, as they sent their old records to the Buffalo Bill Center Of The West in Cody, WY. If you buy a factory letter from Cody, you'll find out that your rifle isn't original.

I think that Calhoun knows more about Savage lever guns than you do, by a ratio of at least 100 to 1.

Arguing with a recognized subject matter expert is a waste of everybody's time. Just sayin'.......

This was more about the bluing and wood finish, than his savage knowledge. If he had the gun in front of him I would have yielded to his superior knowledge in a second, but he made assumptions based on faulty evidence, bad science...

The guys here taught me about Savages.. the thought this is the "Calhoun's I have spoken board" is ludicrous. Many guys haven't spoken up, but why would they want to insert themselves into the drama?

I'm just a guy who wrote a book.

So you want my responses.. okay.

1) Gunsmith evaluation - he's not a Savage 99 expert, so what's he comparing it to? A Winchester finish, or a Marlin finish, or a Remington finish, or some Savage finish from later or earlier on? So his opinion boils down to - it looks factory quality. Not necessarily Savage factory quality. Lots of shops out there can do a factory quality refinish, especially if you look at the last 75 years of gun repair.

2) Front sight - the only thing that strip on the barrel resembles is the front sight slot on 1899H's made from 1906 to about 1911. This is not a featherweight 1899H barrel from 10 years or more before the 300 Savage cartridge was introducedd. So the obvious guess is that it's a slot cut into the barrel to braze on a 3rd party front sight ramp after the barrel was cut. Probably removed when the Stith was put on because it would have been blocking the scope view. That slot is absolutely not right on that barrel.

3) Weight question - what's this even matter? So you lost 6" of barrel which is probably at least 10oz, and you have a walnut stock with almost no grain which means it might be lighter than average. That puts you really close to 1 lb light. I don't think I've ever heard anybody argue their rifle must be a different model because the weight doesn't match the catalogued weight.

And I DO recommend you get a letter. But..

The 1925 Savage ledgers won't tell you what barrel length the rifle was. It WILL tell you:
1) what model the rifle was
2) what it was chambered in
3) when it was accepted from the factory
4) when it shipped
5) who it shipped to

They stopped recording barrel length in the ledger when they started writing down the model name. Barrel length was redundant, because the barrel lengths were all standard to the models as catalogued.

If there was custom work done on it, there will be a job number. No details as to what work was done.. just a job number indicating something was done. Maybe a different sight, maybe a repair, maybe a shorter barrel. It'll cost you $75 to get the above info from Cody, unless you are a museum firearm member.

Okay then, well I'm very impressed that you can discern one professional bluing job from another from a bad photo, possible I guess.

The weight loss was actually 4" of barrel, I mismeasured remember? Not 10 ounces for sure....

The sight scenario is possible, but your lack of input seemed like avoidance to me.

Your matter of fact dismissal of the bluing without any attempt at explanation, other than it's a little dark hurt your credibility.
If you're going be dispensing expert advice you may need to provide solid reasoning also, you're still speculating but food for thought, I'll skip the koolaid

Man I thought I was grumpy.

LOL

In case anybody wants to see the full sized photo of the receiver that I got, here it is. Might help others form an opinion.

https://i.imgur.com/EHHGJBJ.png

Never argue with a fool, as bystanders might not know which is which.

Maybe SkinnyKenny can find a SME who will validate his perspective on his rifle.

How many times has someone said that their rifle was "original", only to find out that their definition of "original" was that it was in the "original" configuration that he received it in. There is factory, as cataloged, original and then there is after it left the factory original, not necessarily the same thing.

Those old 1899 barrels are beef sticks. Makes me wonder if the weight would be identical to a solid frame 22"SR barrel.🤔 I have no hands on experience with the takedowns.

Mark Twain — 'Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.'

Another proof of, you can't cure stupid......

Sanded cheek pads, blued lever, sure thats original. LOL

Good question. I think they'd be close, the cutouts for a takedown barrel aren't that large. Might be an ounce or so difference.

Just now reading this thread …. My gosh.

SK - I have met Calhoun, face-to-face. He is kindhearted and a gentleman. He is generous with his knowledge.

I met Calhoun, Rory Reynoldson, at the November ‘21 Tulsa Gun Show. He was manning a Savage booth, selling his pocket guide and had several incredible samples of ‘99s on display.

He has written a very helpful book about the 99 and he has a website about them as well. Read his book, and you will (should be) blown away by his knowledge. Hell, I will foot the bill to purchase and have the book shipped to you if you will commit to actually reading the book.

I went to that gun show expressly looking to buy my first 99. Rory was a continuing source of expertise. As I found candidates to purchase, I would return to chat with Rory who would patiently listen to me describe what I had found, offer opinion and guidance, and lend an opinion about value. Several times.

I did buy my first 99 at that shoe. A 1915 manufacture that has been modified - barrel cut off to about 19”. What was the tell-tale sign? Lack of a front sight. I love the gun, but it is a shooter, not a collectors piece.

Since that time, I have reached out to Rory a few times asking his opinions of other 99s I have considered for purchase. Every time. Rory has been polite and very prompt in reply.

SK - I suggest the next words you type and publicly post should be along the lines of “I owe you an apology; I made an statement driven by emotion and my statement unjustly attacked you. Please forgive me.”

Let me know if you decide to take me up on my offer to buy Rory’s book.

Damn right I do! It's not rocket science. He's an anal retentive Data Base Analyst. I trust his data!

"Let's just assume I'm right and the bluing is factory original, based on what the trained professional who examined it an hour ago said"


I am wondering if the trained professional noticed the lever being "factory blued"?
kind of throws much more weight to his opinion as an expert don't it?

the tragedy here is the OP will never enjoy what he has because of his dashed unreal concept of the "Special configuration" in his mind.

Thanks... I think?

At this point he just needs to letter it if he thinks it's factory. If there's a job number on the entry, something was done to it.

"Thanks... I think? "

Yeah, I didn't want yur head to swell too much.

This guy reminds me of when one of Larry Root's alias would post.

Lee