Now that a person is stuck in the house for a while I am going to look under the stocks, butt plates etc. for all of my Savages. One safe is emptied to be refilled as I check em all out.
So the first 1 is already interesting: 1899A in .30-30 with 26" barrel clearly stamped 157781 bottom of receiver.
Forearm 157782 with 3 kill notches..
Butt stock 157782. Also large 59 with * stamped over top of 59.
Butt plate 157782 AND equally clear under that in separate stamping is 128252 with first 2 stamped over/out; second 2 clearly stamped on its side over a "0".
Receiver has "R" on front.
Gun is well used and has dark bore and wood old looking but all intact. Perch belly Butt stock looks like it is really nice wood. Forearm nice but not as much grain.

Only dozens more to go...

Heck of a first one! Serial numbers being 1 or 20 off isn't all that rare, but a buttplate 30,000 lower is. Waste not, want not..

Another one that is interesting: Pre-war 99R in 250-3000 with take-off barrel stamped "150" underneath which matches last 3 #s in serial number. I just tried hand loosening barrel which I assume is permanently attached. Did not move. All other numbers match. Fancy wood and nice checkering. Unfortunately has 2 holes for side mount for scope at one time. Holes plugged. And non-factory tapped on top too. Nice looker that's fun to hunt with.
Studied it better with David's book open and likely an R. Thanks Rory for keeping me on track... I will bring to Escanaba for show and tell!

I'm surprised to see a 99RS with a takeoff barrel, those barrels were supposed to be "specially chosen". I've got an early 99R in 300 with a takeoff barrel.

Well the learning continues. Got to my Saddle Ring in 38-55 which was 1 of first Savages I bought starting collection about 15 years ago. Goal then was 1 in each caliber. Its rough! But I thought I may never see another 38-55 for sale and saddle rings hard to come by. Well it has far more stories to tell then most. Grey receiver 68,440 intact with ring. 20" barrel with like new rifling and dark grey outside. Forearm #38,895 looks like survived fire with minor damage. Buttstock134,315 has tang chip and "Gill" carved into it. Butt plate 134,315.
Knowing what I know now, wonder if I would have picked this one up? Probably wouldn't have a 38-55, and it does have character. Did pay too much, but only money.
Rifling absolutely doesn't match rest of rifle. And wonder what original stocks looked like based on what they were replaced with, if replaced?
Should have got letter when only $25!

Social distancing is working out great for me, I'm learning new stuff about 99s! I was not aware that Rs and RSes were made with takeoff barrels.

They weren't... except for the ones that were.

I think we've only seen 3 or 4 R's with takedown barrels. It was the midst of the depression, if they had a spare takedown barrel laying around with the same profile as a solid frame, they'd save money and use the takedown.

Bruce, how's the wood to metal fit on that SRC? Wonder if it'd letter with work orders against it? Wish letters didn't cost $65 nowadays..

MHG rifle with take down barrel

Does a R/RS with a take down barrel entail they have the same forearm with attach metal piece like the other take downs have?

No. It has the standard non-TD forearm. The barrel is set solid. It just has the TD markings.

Simply put, if the barrel has the cut or notch cut to accept the locking piece but the reciever does not that is the sign

Rory, fit of stocks on SRC pretty good. Would not expect replacement from fit? Maybe when tax return comes and I feel rich (ha ha) I'll send for letter. Already over spent on this gun...

Factory replacements would fit really well, as good or very close to factory originals. Stocks that you or I swap are almost sure to leave some metal showing or have the wood proud to the metal more than a factory rifle. It's rather amazing the amount of fitting each piece had to match all the others.