Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors What Savage Model 99 Have I Got?

I know lots of people ask this question. Don't know why it has to be so mysterious.

My .300 Savage Model 99 serial # 383XXX has the following markings on the barrel: After the Savage Model 99 .300 it has "(SP)" stamped and below this near the stock is a small "W" also stamped on the barrel.

I have seen Savages in gun stores and they are clearly maked E or EG or F or what have you. Mine however is marked weirdly.

I have never heard of a Model W. Does the "(SP) indicate Special? Hope so. Any help would be great.

RR
Your Gun was Made in the Mid to Late 30's,,But A Better description if ya need identification? What Type Of Forearm do you have,,You could have a Prewar R,T, or E.G.
Steve

Very few models were ever stamped with the model number where you could see them. Your rifle will probably date to 1939, and could be one of several different models. If you can upload a picture, we'll tell you all about it (good and bad points).

Otherwise, let us know the barrel length, whether it has a schnabel or rounded forearm, whether it's a takedown model or solid frame, whether it has a pistol grip stock or a straight, and whether it's checkered or not. Yeah, it's tricky.

Or you could pull the forearm and see if there's a model stamped on the front of the receiver under the forearm. Most in that time period had it, though it's not 100% guaranteed.

Like this EG:

RoadRash...

Nailing down the actual year of manufacture is sometimes difficult. When Savage began using what is called the "Lever Boss Code" ("LBC") in addition to a serial number in 1949, the LBC really helped in establishing the year of manufacture. Unfortunately, your rifle doesn't have a LBC.

My records, based on information given in Doug Murray's book, "The Ninety-Nine", plus information I've gathered from the posts here in this Forum, indicate 1939 as the year of manufacture of your rifle, as Calhoun suggested. However, Rick99, our resident Model 99 Forum Guru, has indicated that the years shown in Murray's book for these serial numbers may be "a little off".

As an example, author Doug Murray ("THE" acknowledged authority on Savage Model 99s) shows the serial number of the last Model 99 made in 1939 was "388,640" (1939: 388,640). However, the following (in red) is a post by our Forum authority, Rick99."(395xxx-It is a 1939 production-Rick99)".

As you can readily see, it is sometimes difficult or even impossible to absolutely establish a date of manufacture, but we keep trying.

Rory (Calhoun) is also very knowledgable and you can trust what he sez.

Pictures DO help considerably as well.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.