I picked up a Savage 38-55 today and I think it is a Model 99. Serial number 41XXX. 24" octagon bbl with a peep sight and flat butt plate marked with SVG in a circle. I will try to post pics when my youngest brings my camera back. Blued frame with case colered lever. Markings on bbl are Savage smokeless steel, high pressure powder on one flat and Manufactured by the Savage Arms Company Utica.N.Y.U.S.A, Patented Febuary 7.1893. July 25.1893.October 3.1899. on the top flat.
Shortgrub
It's actually a model 1899.
38-55's aren't easy calibers to come by in an 1899, hopefully it's a keeper.
Great find. Not a common configuration. Pictures of the front sight would be nice. About 1904-5 manufacture. Hows the bore?
It has a flip down rear sight missing the center blade with what is I don't think is correct a Redfield blade front sight. It's a good 92% bright blue with 92% case on the lever. Bore is mint. Wood would rate 92+% also.
Shortgrub
A 24" barrel would either be special order or bobbed, probably why Jed would like a look at the front sight and probably the crown. That caliber was the last for me to find in the savage levers, I had the other 14 before I found one that was a keeper. Tough caliber to find with the black powder casings that distroyed a lot of the bores on the 38-55's.
Shortgrub, the barrel was probably cut back given that it's 24" rather than 26", plus the fact it doesn't have the correct sights.
But still a nice one to have. As Blair said, tough to find an affordable one that's in decent shape.
If the barrel has been cut, it's probably been reblued. Don
It might be a special order.
Whats with the flat butt plate? 1899A Short Rifle? But the barrel is to long.
it's probably been reblued.
The thought crossed my mind too...however the fact that the lever is still CC'ed...leads me hold my tongue til I can have a look. The replaced front sight raises a red flag here.
Missed the flat butt plate comment, Joe.. that's intriguing. Definitely worth a look.
How far back is the front sight dovetail from the end of the barrel?
And, any chance of seeing pictures? I'll be glad to PM you my email address if you don't know how to post them.
I tried to take pics late last night and with the point and shoot I have does not do very well, OK it could be me. I will try to take to a friends house tomorrow and get better pics. The front sight is approx. 1" to the start of the dovetail. It doesn't appear to be reblued as all the lettering is very crisp. Anyone knowledgable around Ky. or southern In. that I could show this rifle to?
Shortgrub
Rory, I have a flat steel buttplate on a 1899F saddle ring carbine around that serial number range, no savage logo tho its identical to the one on my case colored 1895 rifle!
maybe these are parts use up on these rifles. Don
My flame checkered rounded pistol grip has the same butt plate with the savage logo.
That is one fine looking piece of hardware.
Jealous.
Shortgrub
That receiver looks to be original Hi Luster Blue.J.M.O.
Steve
![[Linked Image]](http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee155/Spiritmaker45/DSC_00009992.jpg)
By-The way very nice looking rig there.
Just super. Congrats on thew find and rifle.
Steve
That finish on the reciever looks factory. Wood is redone or replacement. I believe the bbl has been worked.
I kinda thought the receiver would be a duller blue like the barrel. I don't know much about the Savage rifles,
Shortgrub
The early rifles had a mirror blue on the receiver. Very nice..
Did you ever say whether the forearm/buttstock were serial numbered to the receiver?
Stay around, you'll pick stuff up.
Where to look for serial number on wood?
Shortgrub
Under the buttplate and under the forearm.
Pulled the buttplate and forearm and lo and behold the serial numbers are there and match on the forearm but not the buttplate and stock. Sorry for the misdirection. The buttplate and the stock do have the same number. Thanks for the help and education.
Shortgrub
Real sweet looking rifle you got there...!!!
Is the serial number also stamped on the butt plate itself?
Mike...
With the numbers matching, that likely makes the buttplate a special order. Whether the stock has been redone or not is another question.. I'm no expert on wood, but I'd say it's not been messed with. Jed, you sure? I know the metal is a bit proud, but I don't see any signs of sanding/refinishing.
![[Linked Image]](http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee155/Spiritmaker45/DSC_00009983.jpg)
Looks like the barrel has been shortened to me. The last picture with the oblong barrel chamfer looks suspicious,unless its a photo mirage! the rest of the rifle looks nice,a letter will tell the story. Don
Jed, you sure? I know the metal is a bit proud, but I don't see any signs of sanding/refinishing.
I'm sure that's not factory finish on the wood. It was redone very well. Same on the bbl.,very well done. No buff marks.
Loggah,
Shouldn't the end of the bbl be blued?
no blue. looks counter bored or whatever just right..?
Guys, I reread my post on the serial number and gave the wrong impression on the buttplate and stock serial number. they are not the same serial number as the rifle. I have corrected that post. I was in a hurry to take the wife out for dinner. Being an Idiot doesn't help. My apologies to all. I do thank you for all the help. Does anyone recognize the type of tang sight on it?
Shortgrub
Didn't he say the numbers on the buttstock and buttplate DON'T match the gun but DO match each other???? Or did I mis-understand?
Whoops, Shortgrub beat me. Thanks for the clarification.
The buttplate and stock are serial numbered the same. The rifle and forearm are serial numbered the same. Two different sets of serial numbers. If it shoots as good as it looks I'll be happy.
Shortgrub
RandySavage? Are you the MACHO MAN?!
How's Elizabeth?
Maybe you guys aren't old enough to remember the MACHO MAN
What...no professional wrestling fans out there?
NOOO! Randy Savage. The Macho Man. And his girl friend Elizabeth. Professional wrestler circa 1980's.
Are you guys that uncivilized?
I'm so old I remember Randy when he was a pitcher in the White Sox organization. Elizabeth was a very classy looking and acting lady (on screen), unlike the tramps they seem to have now.
I KNEW there had to at least one Savage collector out there with some culture!
Chief Jay Strongbow must ring a bell w/some.
Yes the MACHO MAN!!!
You guys thought I was crazy
didn't you?
I'm diggin the Spiderman underoo's....
Nice looking shooting irons you got there partner.
Jim
You are the MACHO MAN!!! I knew it!
I guess one could call it culture of a sort. I will hand it to those guys. They found a way to earn big bucks that doesn't involve trampling people. The acting is pretty good, but beyond that...
I'm diggin the Spiderman underoo's....
Looks more like sponge bob.
![[Linked Image]](http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee99/jandrinnd/DSC01316.jpg)