Savage 1899/99 G cased 101 years old - 11/29/22
Hello, I recently acquired a cased set, I believe it to be one of the earliest around, I sent for and received a Savage Arms letter from the Cody Museum and spoke with Cody Arms records (Angela) about the letter, as it had very little info, (she was kind enough to look it up again to verify what was available on a scanned copy that had lower page water damage)...It is serial number 2365xx, Model 1899 in .300 Savage, (model 1899 is stamped on the receiver) (I know it's a '99). It was accepted October 31, 1921, shipped November 18, 1921 and sold to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Company. I asked if there were any earlier .300 savage units and she did come across a couple that were 2359xx, but none that listed as accepted earlier than mine, the earlier serial numbered units in .300 Savage were accepted in November, 1921..I know that the serial numbers vs the acceptance are not 100% consecutive, but it is interesting that the date is in another month (even, if only a day) and has 500+/-number difference in serial number. you guys may have seen the cased rifle set I have, on an auction, the pics the seller took didn't do it justice compared to in person viewing. Their pics make it look more glossy than it actually is, although it does have some gloss (it's just not like a reflective mirror, like it looked on the auction). It looks original metal finish (to me at least) on both barrels, super nice, no rust, minimal wear, rifling and bore for both barrels is near perfect, screws all look untouched, sights are the micro-screw adjust elevator with Savage stamped in the rear and the front sight is Brass blade, in the integrated front barrel ramp, held by a screw (super small), lever has really pretty case colors on most of it. Checkering is extremely nice, stocks may have been oiled/varnished as they are glossier than some from the era (looks like someone waxed and polished, more than refinished, but I am not super experienced with the stocks and refinishing), but the numbers all match (butt plate, butt stock, forend, receiver) and the wood has some figure, (not just straight grain). The storage case is a little rough, handle is still there, but has deteriorated to the point of no use, just being visual. Hinges and corners are all there and function. The interior of the case is version/style 1, (red velour/velvet) with the open area on the left, back near the receiver front when its in the case. Again, not perfect, but looks ok for the age. Savage logo is in the interior of the lid and looks cool! It also came with a .410 barrel, nice brass bead and attachment screw mechanism for holding the stock is perfect (it was obviously used, the forend has a small round indent/dimple where it was attached to the .410 barrel, in my head someone should have used a piece of leather or something to keep from marking the forend schnabel area on the stock wood). All in all, a super nice piece for 101 years old (at least to me)...So, to my question, Is there anyway to validate if a cased set left the factory as a cased set? I was hoping a letter could confirm this, but alas, it is not so. And if anyone saw this rifle I would like your thoughts on it, thanks
Pictures link, with description of what each is:
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt... 17853001/savage-1899-cased-300-410-early
Pictures link, with description of what each is:
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...