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Went back and wiped the frame down carefully and then used a modern high-lumens flashlight perpendicular to the stamping, it's an "F" and not an "I", so...1954? The top part of the letter can be clearly seen now as part of the strike, the middle horizontal line is very faint but is there as well.
Last edited by Lloyd3; 07/17/22.
'Tis better to burn out than it is to rust.
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Campfire Regular
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Really? 835,2xx?
That's a 1953'ish rifle. Very few 8xx,xxx serial numbers were made and they were made earlier than the number would indicate. Only about 500 numbers in that entire 100,000 serial number range are recorded in the ledgers.
If you look on the front of the lever you should see an oval stamp with 1 or 2 numbers followed by a letter. The letter will be the year it was made (only for 99's made from 1949 to 1970).
E = 1953
F = 1954
G = 1955
etc Anyone know why only 500/100000 made in the 800k range?
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Campfire Outfitter
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Well now it is getting interesting. Might the code stamp be 19E or 19F? Those codes were often poorly stamped. I ask because the serial shows it to be one of only 502 that were produced in the 800,000 serial number range. We have those number and if you don't mind I would like the full serial for my data (a PM would work fine). The serial you have given and the fact that the EG is not D&T'd would appear to be correct for an 8xx,xxx rifle. Others in your serial range have been 250's and coded 19F and 3E indicating 1953 and 1954 production. It is not known why this happened as there does not appear to be anything different for other production in those years. I have info on 10 of this serial so far. So far there has been no big bump in price for one but is a nice find for a collector. Take good care of it as it is in very nice condition and one of a very few made in that serial range. Old news. You guys sure type fast...or maybe it's just me. 
Last edited by Rick99; 07/17/22.
Savage...never say "never".
Rick...
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Campfire Greenhorn
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![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/lWSPhkSl.jpg) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/v6PCvNal.jpg) Tried sunlight and then artificial light on it, still about impossible to photograph anything clearly. Is that rotary magazine really brass? Evidently, my membership level doesn't allow me PMs(?), the last two numbers of the SN are 60.
Last edited by Lloyd3; 07/17/22.
'Tis better to burn out than it is to rust.
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[quote=Calhoun]Really? 835,2xx?
Anyone know why only 500/100000 made in the 800k range? The 'Why?' part of it is only wild conjecture. Thanks to JTC we have the details on production though.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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My personal belief is they were just mis-stamped serial numbers by somebody - possibly by somebody new, or Monday morning hangover. Here's what Callahan said long ago on the Gun & Knife forum (pre-campfire days), as copied by Lightfoot to here. That's probably a mis-struck E with the lower bar missing based on Callahan's info. So Oct/Nov 1953 timeframe. "835026 to 835262 are mixed entries with 10 & 11 1953 dates."Mike and anyone interested. Here is a summary of the 800,000 S/N block. It seems apparent that the company set this block aside for some unknown reason as the dates are much earlier than lower serial numbers shipped a couple of years later. Second there are way less than 100K guns in this block. The first posted s/n is 834,000 and is followed by blank records up to 834,777. A blank record is where the numbers are posted and have no entry against them and of course no product either. The first entry is at S/N 834,778 and is dated 11/6/53. The following entries are mixed up to s/n 834899 and are dated 10 & 11 of 1953 with a sprinkle of some 1955 and 56 dates. 834900 to 834909 are blank. 834910 to 834994 have entries dated 10-1953 with some in 1954. 834995 to 835025 are blank. 835026 to 835262 are mixed entries with 10 & 11 1953 dates. 835263 to 835412 are blank. 835413 to 835451 show entries for 8/9/10/11 of 1953. 835452 to 835520 are blank. 835521 to 835539 show entries for 10/1954 and 7/1954. 835540 to 836051 are blank. If I did my subtraction right this makes for 502 Model 99�s in this S/N block. The next entry is at 900000, which of course is where the new longer and open receivers to accommodate the .243, .308 and .358 Winchester rounds started. I hope this sheds some light, but not necessarily some answers, on this controversial series of numbers.
Jack
“ 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
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Calhoun: It very well could be an "E" as you say. The stamping is very faint and the lower horizontal part of the "E" might well have-not taken. The middle bar is very slight. As I stated earlier, my first impression of it was that it was an "I". One of 502 from October/November of 1953 eh? Thankyou for that. It's always fun to know this stuff.
Last edited by Lloyd3; 07/18/22.
'Tis better to burn out than it is to rust.
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Campfire Kahuna
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My personal belief is they were just mis-stamped serial numbers by somebody - possibly by somebody new, or Monday morning hangover. Here's what Callahan said long ago on the Gun & Knife forum (pre-campfire days), as copied by Lightfoot to here. That's probably a mis-struck E with the lower bar missing based on Callahan's info. So Oct/Nov 1953 timeframe. "835026 to 835262 are mixed entries with 10 & 11 1953 dates."Mike and anyone interested. Here is a summary of the 800,000 S/N block. It seems apparent that the company set this block aside for some unknown reason as the dates are much earlier than lower serial numbers shipped a couple of years later. Second there are way less than 100K guns in this block. The first posted s/n is 834,000 and is followed by blank records up to 834,777. A blank record is where the numbers are posted and have no entry against them and of course no product either. The first entry is at S/N 834,778 and is dated 11/6/53. The following entries are mixed up to s/n 834899 and are dated 10 & 11 of 1953 with a sprinkle of some 1955 and 56 dates. 834900 to 834909 are blank. 834910 to 834994 have entries dated 10-1953 with some in 1954. 834995 to 835025 are blank. 835026 to 835262 are mixed entries with 10 & 11 1953 dates. 835263 to 835412 are blank. 835413 to 835451 show entries for 8/9/10/11 of 1953. 835452 to 835520 are blank. 835521 to 835539 show entries for 10/1954 and 7/1954. 835540 to 836051 are blank. If I did my subtraction right this makes for 502 Model 99�s in this S/N block. The next entry is at 900000, which of course is where the new longer and open receivers to accommodate the .243, .308 and .358 Winchester rounds started. I hope this sheds some light, but not necessarily some answers, on this controversial series of numbers.
Jack Is it possible they built the receivers but they had metallurgical or some other problem so they recorded them for legality, but did not build them? Just a thought.
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I think the decision was mostly driven by the change to the receiver to lengthen the magazine for the .308 cartridge family.
This created a very clear breakpoint for the changeover. This way no one was left wondering if it was above or below 857,423 for example.
I still can't remember the SN cut point for the heat treating on the receiver for the .250. Hmmmm, was it 220K or was it 260K - will have to look it up...
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Campfire Tracker
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to me that is a very collectable 99 and I personally wouldn't hunt with it. 8xx,xxx serial number, 250-3000 caliber and probably in unfired condition. Find another 99 to hunt with.
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]
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Campfire Outfitter
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I agree. Not many of the 502 have turned up.
Savage...never say "never".
Rick...
Join the NRA...together we stand, divided we fall!
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Campfire 'Bwana
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I think the decision was mostly driven by the change to the receiver to lengthen the magazine for the .308 cartridge family.
This created a very clear breakpoint for the changeover. This way no one was left wondering if it was above or below 857,423 for example. That does seem very likely to be the reason they went from the 7xx,xxx range that worked for 250-3000 and 300 Savage cartridges up to 900,000 for the ones that would work for 243/308/358 also. I don't think the 502 that were made in 8xx,xxx range had anything to do with the 243/308/358, but were a reason to skip over the 800,000 range. Though.. I don't think anybody has ever searched the entire 900,000 ledgers to see if there weren't some of those that were made earlier as mis-stamped EG's and R's. They'd be in 250-3000 or 300, so how would you know (except EG's wouldn't be factory d&t)? 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
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Campfire Greenhorn
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wyo1895: Well....I'll have to think about that one. It's not like I haven't been bothered about its safe-queen condition (and it's not like I don't have other options).
'Tis better to burn out than it is to rust.
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Campfire Tracker
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Not everyone agrees with me, but 99's aren't made any more and I think pristine examples should be preserved in that condition.
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]
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