In my opinion EGs chamberings seen least often to most often: 22HP (I've never seen one), 358, 243, 30-30, 303 Sav, 308, 250-3000, 300 Sav. The bulk are by far 300 Savage, followed by a distant 2nd by 250-3000 and then 308.
the order of 243, 30-30, 303 Sav is likely up for debate, but I'd estimate these three together likely make up less then 5% of the total EGs.
EG's were made in 303 from 1935 to 1940 in both the uncheckered and checkered versions. There were also some EG's in 303 sold through retailers such as Spiegel and those can be identified by having studs and d&t holes surrounding the cocking indicator pin and behind the rear sight (some also have roll stamps on the receiver sides).
As mentioned pre-WW2 EG's in 303, 30-30 and especially 22HP are very uncommon. If it has a lot of condition, that's a good snag!
“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
As Calhoun said, if it's an EG in 303 it predates WWII as the cartridge fell out of Savage's offerings after the war. I don't know when Savage started checkering the EG but it may have been sometime around 1939/40. I have a pre-war EG in 300 and it's a sweetheart!
"The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." John Stapp - "Stapp's Law" "Klaatu barada nikto"
I am a big EG fan. I have one in each caliber with a bunch in 300 Savage. I started a lengthy article on them but never finished it. So many projects, so little time. My 303 is a Speigle.
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]
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]
Several years ago, at a local gun show, I ran across an uncheckered EG in 22HP, in as new condition. The price was $1200; I had no idea what I was looking at. Had the cash in my pocket, and was in the mood to spend it, but due to the principle of the thing, tried to get even a tiny price break. The owner was adamant, so I went home empty handed. (This was about an hour and a half from home, on a Saturday.) I posted on the Fire about it, was urged to buy it. By this time yhe show was closed for the day. I called by safe selling buddy, and he tried everything to track the seller down, with no luck. He was there only for Saturday, and the next weekend had taken it to Wannemacher, and sold it to someone who made sure to rub it in at the next fest. He had sold it for several thousand dollars.
Serial is 4312xx The only holes are for the tang sight. No studs or Spiegel roll stamp. It is checkered.
Serial number raises some questions. That places the date of mfr as fall of 1945 or so.
Now the 99EG in 303/30-30/22HP was last catalogued in 1940, but a very few were made later. Probably using up old barrels or special order for favored retailers. Very, very few tho.
But is this really a 99EG? Does it have a schnabel forearm?
The 99RT was made in late 1945 and they were made in 303 Savage, and I'd say those are more common than a 1945 99EG in 303. The 99RT didn't have a schnabel forearm tho, it had a wide forearm with a rounded tip.
“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
Interesting that they stopped making EGs in 303 while continuing to make other models. I suppose just using up barrels?
The sales of anything except the 250-3000 and 300 Savage were too low to be worth continuing.
They also went to all 24" barrels for 99's in 1941, so any 22" barrels after that are very likely old inventory.
“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
That's an EG. A 24" barrel on it is interesting. The late 99A V1 rifles had a 24" barrel in 303 Savage, but I think that was the only model. So it's either new production from 1945 or a leftover 99A barrel.
I'm guessing a favored retailer, customer or employee send in a request for it. They could do it easily enough, they just didn't catalog it for general sales. Cool gun!
Last edited by Calhoun; 08/01/22.
“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
Interesting that they stopped making EGs in 303 while continuing to make other models. I suppose just using up barrels?
I'm a big fan of the 303 and I'm about ready to barrel up a Stevens 44 1/2 in that caliber, but it's always been my hunch that the 30-30 simply outsold the 303 as well as the 30 Remington, which had a whole system of semi-auto loading technology that came with it. Heck, Savage didn't even see it fit to chamber the 40/45 Sporter/Super Sporter in 303 and that's got to be indicative of something not going the way of blazing success! Let's face it, the woods were only big enough for one cartridge in that category and the 30-30 beat them out.
"The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." John Stapp - "Stapp's Law" "Klaatu barada nikto"
