Unless you took the scope off it won't come apart. The scope is holding the barrel to the receiver. Even with the scope off it may not come apart. Don't try to force it.
I did take the scope off so I could clean everything good. The barrel wouldn't budge so I just left it. It likely hasn't been apart in it's 90 years....
Originally Posted by 99guy
That is a very nice rifle.
I would have bought that one...
Thanks, I think I got a great deal at $600 OTD including a box of ammo.
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]
My friend just informed me that a person he knows just got his dad's firearms from his will. In the collection was a 1903-04 mod 99, straight stock,cressint(sp) butt plate, 28 to 30 inch octagon barrel in 30-30. frame has lost most of it's finish,barrel still has bluing on it. The stock has some dings in it..My friend says that the bore looks good??. They claim that it cycles good. I have only seen pictures of the gun. I have a TC contender with a 14 in 44 mag., a 14 in 225, and a 14 in 22lr. this guy wants to trade me straight across. I don't know how to do pictures. The gun looks well used.
Any info on this gun or it's value would be very helpful in doing this trade. It has not been tapped for scope, can't tell if it is tapped for receiver or tang sights.
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
Pretty much. A gray rat has lost most of its blue and finish. May have been drilled for scope. In that condition it’s not rare, or real collectible. An octagonal barrel makes it an 1899B. You should be able to get a pretty nice one for about $1000. Every step up in condition is a leap up in price. B’s are cool, I guess it depends on how much you value the contender. I used to think a gray rat filled a hole in my collection, till I wound up with a safe full of them. Now I’d rather a couple with condition than a bunch of grays.
If this savage had bluing on the receiver, it was removed by someone, the barrel has decent bluing right up to the receiver. Could this receiver have been case hardened and just faded?
It looks like the lever and butt plate were case hardened , you can still see some of it. I wish I had it in my hands and was able to post a pic.
My 1895 with a case hardened receiver has faded to a light gray but you can see some mottling especially in the protected areas. 28" and 30" barrels were an option. These are very rare as is a case hardened receiver. If it has a barrel longer than 26" and/or the receiver was case hardened it would add greatly to the value. Either of these is highly unlikely but they are out there. We need photos.
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]
If this savage had bluing on the receiver, it was removed by someone,
Don't be quite so sure of that. The barrels on the old 1899s retain the bluing far, far better than the receiver. If it was well used then it is likely from honest wear.
I know what you mean about the angle making the barrel look longer. But the proportion from the front of the forearm to the end of barrel looks wrong. It looks like too much barrel in front. I think the receiver wear looks like it may be original. If he can throw a tape on it for you and it's over 26". I would reconsider what you value a Contender at. An 1899B in 30-30, with an optional longer barrel? I might throw the Contender at him. Then again, I traded my Contender with 4 barrels and a T/C 4X Lobo scope for a Dodge factory Super Stock engine.
A question for the experts pertaining to how many ever in existence. Savage offered gold plating of their model 99 rifles. According to D. P. Murray's book "the ninety-nine", it was a $22 special order. How many Savage 99s were ever gold plated? Are their any existing records that would indicate the number of any of the few plated firearms? I have found mention of less than 12 model 1907 automatic pistols being gold plated, but no mention of any model 99s being done.
Wow, I thought I had read Murray's book cover to cover and somehow missed that. I would think the only way there could be an estimation done, would be to start at the beginning of the ledgers and read every one. Some guys keep records of special features when they are found, but I don't know or any way to search them out.
Page 5-21 towards the end of the book - Sundry Items for Rifles - There is a good list of various items and extra work available with pricing. The reason I am reaching out on this subject is I have about run out of research information in an attempt to find a, or I guess I should say another gold plated model 99. The one I am researching has a Savage factory letter calling it "a special and unique model 99 K " shipped April of 1928. Receiver dates to (probably) mid to late 1927. Rifle is entirely gold plated save the barrel and seems to have a little bit of extra engraving. At this point I am thinking it is the only one known. Hoping someone here at the campfire has seen or heard of another or can comment on rarity.
