|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,598
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,598 |
Back in 2000 at Tulsa I found a 1903 production 1899-A, crescent butt rifle in 25-35, very nice condition, had a front dove tail but no front sight...and a 20" barrel. Didn't look cut but a 99 plus% chance that it was. So, I walked on. Well, I have a soft spot for .25-35's so the show ended with the rifle making the trip home with me.
The rifle went on the rack and was a fun shooter. Over the last 20 plus years I had thought about lettering it but never did. This weekend at Tulsa the Cody Museum had tables and for a small fee would do a quick serial search. Not knowing that they were going to be there I hadn't brought a list of serial. The first rifle that popped to mind was the .25-35. For a few dollars I could scratch that itch and finally know that the ,.25-35 was in fact cut down.
So, paid the money and found... .25-35, round barrel, 10/14/1903, shipped 3/28/1904, C&W McClean (sporting goods, St Louis, MO)... with a 20" barrel.
Savage... never say "never".
Last edited by Rick99; 11/13/23.
Savage...never say "never". Rick...
Join the NRA...together we stand, divided we fall!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,709 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,709 Likes: 1 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,008
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,008 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,340 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,340 Likes: 1 |
A with factory 20" barrel.
How cool is that?
"You cannot invade mainland America. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass" ~Admiral Yamamoto~
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,522 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6,522 Likes: 1 |
Sometimes you are lucky and sometimes you ain't. you hit a home run with that one.
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]
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 714
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 714 |
So Rick, what’s the rest of the story? What did you do about the front sight?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,729
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,729 |
Rick, did you bring anything home from the recent show?
All I've heard is the prices on the 99s that were there were outa sight!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,495
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,495 |
So, paid the money and found... .25-35, round barrel, 10/14/1903, shipped 3/28/1904, C&W McClean (sporting goods, St Louis, MO)... with a 20" barrel. Does this mean Cody had a searchable data base onsite at Tulsa?
"Every day above ground is a good day."
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,366
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,366 |
So, paid the money and found... .25-35, round barrel, 10/14/1903, shipped 3/28/1904, C&W McClean (sporting goods, St Louis, MO)... with a 20" barrel. Does this mean Cody had a searchable data base onsite at Tulsa? Yes, they’ve offered the same deal for both Savage and Winchester’s at Baltimore for the last 2 or 3 years. Jessie and a couple staff at a table with a laptop. Believe Joe Martin posted on here about a search on a gun(s) that he had done at Baltimore. Pretty sure the cost is $5.00.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 43,778 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 43,778 Likes: 1 |
It's not a "searchable" database per say.. but they can look up a picture of the ledger page with your serial number and report it.
Getting information was $15 for a non-member, less for a member. But it's just a hand-written note. Not a factory letter that's printed 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
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,495
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,495 |
It's not a "searchable" database per say.. but they can look up a picture of the ledger page with your serial number and report it.
Getting information was $15 for a non-member, less for a member. But it's just a hand-written note. Not a factory letter that's printed out. Ok thanks. Just having pictures of ledger pages must have been a herculean effort. Digitizing entries is probably not feesable.
"Every day above ground is a good day."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,598
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,598 |
So Rick, what’s the rest of the story? What did you do about the front sight? To early of a rifle for the 22B so Sheard or Jack. I opted for the Jack, Jaaack. Looks and works fine. Rear is the standard Rocky Mt.
Savage...never say "never". Rick...
Join the NRA...together we stand, divided we fall!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,598
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 14,598 |
Rick, did you bring anything home from the recent show?
All I've heard is the prices on the 99s that were there were outa sight! One box .375, 250 gr, $50; late 2 pc Savage .32 ammo bx...not full,not great but at a good price. Prices on rifles just keep going up. A majority of what was there was $1000 and up. A very nice late 99E in .308 was $900 but I had no interest. Did see a last issue 99H, 30-30 at $1800 and a near new .250 99-H at $3000. I would have bought both but not at those prices.
Savage...never say "never". Rick...
Join the NRA...together we stand, divided we fall!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,937
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,937 |
I've gotten a few of the 'letters' at the shows, they have been $10 each, I am not a member. Here are two I just got at Tulsa - I lettered those two because they have the same replacement stocks with the same buttplates that do not have the normal sharp contours on the pistol grip. They both have work orders just 11 days apart, so to me, that explains them both having the same style replacement stock. It was never worth letters before to find this out, maybe not even worth what these cost. Here's one of those two - An original stock for comparison -
Gene
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,366
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,366 |
Curiosity got the best of me, so just checked. Joe Martin indicated that he got 6 ‘letters’ at the Baltimore Show this past March at $5.00 apiece. Different prices at different venues?
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,044
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,044 |
Now that was worth the wait ...just under an inch a year.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,340 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,340 Likes: 1 |
Curiosity got the best of me, so just checked. Joe Martin indicated that he got 6 ‘letters’ at the Baltimore Show this past March at $5.00 apiece. Different prices at different venues? Inflation...
"You cannot invade mainland America. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass" ~Admiral Yamamoto~
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. ~Thomas Jefferson~
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 108
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 108 |
Which explained you walking up to our tables with a HUGE smile across your face … 😊👍
"Too often people do not recognize Opportunity because it is dressed in overalls and looks like Work." Thomas Alva Edison
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,543
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,543 |
Rick, was the 25-35 barrel a standard 26 inch barrel cut to 20 inches at the factory or a 20 inch rapid taper barrel with the same diameter at the muzzle of a full 26 inch barrel?
|
|
|
|
565 members (10gaugemag, 16penny, 12344mag, 007FJ, 1Akshooter, 10ring1, 63 invisible),
2,474
guests, and
1,357
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,048
Posts18,500,939
Members73,987
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|