Friends, I seldom post on the Savage forum, mostly because I don't know a lot about the finer points of Savage Arms. However, I totally appreciate and love 99s, so I lurk.

That said, there is an article in the most recent Guns magazine that most of you would enjoy. The title of the article is Guns With Character. The piece was written by my very good friend and hunting pal, Holt Boddinson and it's about a Savage 99 in .32-40. Apparently, the original owner was one heck of a hunter and he had the rifle customized to suit his needs in the field.

In many ways, the customizing is as interesting as the rifle itself.

By the way, Holt is the real deal. He is about as knowledgeable a gun writer as I know and he is an incredible hunter. Holt also has a love of old and arcane firearms, so he brings a lot of interesting lore to each piece he writes.

Anyway, I thought I'd mention the article.

Easter Blessings,

Steve

Thanks for the heads up, Steve! We're always on the lookout for any articles talking about or referring to Savages.

I believe it will be of great interest. The front sight is one I'd never seen before ... and I like it. The tang sight is downright delicious and the barrel band is incredibly inventive.

Yeah, it's kinda messed-up from a collector's perspective, but Holt makes the point that all of the "enhancements" were done for a very good reason.

Here it is!

It would have been 26" originally. Doesn't look like a "26 inch" brl. now or is it just me?

That looks like the Marbles Improved Front Sight. They originally just called it the Marbles Front Sight for a brief period in advertisements. It is the first, or one of the first, front sights Marble marketed in the early 1900s.

Looks like a neat article.

Guess I should have read the whole thing first!

Nice article except it was a 1899C ,not a 99C.

Thanks for posting the article. I appreciate writer/hunters who will still take the time to research and write about an older firearm like that. Whenever I see a new gun mag that has an article on an older gun, I usually pick it up. Maybe because I'm a history buff and love antiques, I just enjoy hunting with an older firearm that has character. Can't seem to get into the latest and greatest synthetic offerings! The usual chirp I get at camp is "the museum called and they want their gun back"!

Yes that's the Marbles Improved Front Sight. That's what's on my 1926 F T/D in 303, Joe.

Hoover,

I have known and hunted with Holt for many years. We don't get together often enough, but when we do we surely celebrate the moment.

YES, Holt totally loves and relishes the old, the arcane and the unusual. He knows so much about firearms that interest you and me that it is almost spooky. He's one of the few good guys ... please trust me on that.

One thing we must keep in mind when looking at this kind of firearm. Don't forget that the original purchaser could easily walk into Smith's Hardware and buy another. It was not a collectible firearm to him; it was a shooter. And if he screwed up, he could easily buy another, and another, until he got it right.

Dang it, I love that front sight!!!

Steve

Sounds like me and Holt would get along well. I like guns with character or a backstory a LOT.

It's sad, I think I have a gun with that sight but can't remember which one.
You'd like the 3-way rotating King sight also.

Thanks for posting it for the rest of the folks. I have the article in hand and never thought to post it as my thought was that most folks here would subscribe. Obviously not. Great post.

Thanks Steve, I also love the old ones, I do have that front sight, as new in the envlope just dont have the right gun to put it on yet! Ill have to read the story on the 32-40!