I recently picked up this rifle, but I'm having a hard time telling the difference between an "R", "RS","T"? The pics I've seen of some of the "R" or "RS" models have a line around the forend, mine does not. The forend on the T has a sharper angle at the receiver.
The serial number on this rifle is 697784, lever boss code of "19G"(?) has a Chicopee barrel, fold down sight, case colored carrier, sling swivels, side safety, 300 Sav caliber. It is in pretty nice shape, but it's no safe queen and I have every intention of hunting with it and accepting every nick or ding as a badge of honor.
My questions are: Is this an R, when was it made, are the sling swivels factory, how rare is the case colored carrier? Thank you for your help......Scott

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http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc47/scottp63/IMG_0892-1.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc47/scottp63/IMG_0891-1.jpg

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc47/scottp63/IMG_0890-1.jpg

Nice gun. Lever boss code makes it a 1955 model and a R model. If I'm wrong someone will chime in.

Marv got it.. And that's a beautiful forearm on that rifle. The 99R's with lines around the front were pre-WWII, the 99R's after the war had a "fatter" forearm. The case colored rotors are much less common than the brass rotors, but not that uncommon. Right in the range yours is.

Are you sure of the boss code? I'd have expected it to end with an F from looking at similar serial numbers in my notes (which are much more incomplete than others here).

Nice rifle, I'll be interested to hear how it shoots. The 99R's have a reputation for being very accurate.

Thank you both for the info. I'm wondering if the sling swivels and fold down sight are original?

Calhoun, the lever boss code letter is pretty faint, but I'm 85% sure that it is 19G, the 19 is very visible but the letter is faint, as if the stamp wasn't held evenly when struck. Even looking at it with a magnifying glass doesn't help, and it is possible it is an F. With what you know, I'd be inclined to go with the 15% that it is an F. Thanks.....Scott

The fold down sight is not original. The R had sling eyes from the factory. You often find them replaced with conventional swivel studs.

Mainly cause it is hard to find the right size sling QA for the original stids, I just don't use a sling on mine. Les