New to me Savage 99

[Newb99]

As I wrote in my intro, I was gifted a Savage 99. The person who gave it to me thought it was a DL, but I'm not so sure. The markings are as follows: "Hi Pressure Steel Proof tested" is on the right side under the rear sight and ".308 Win" is on the left side.The Barrel is also engraved with "Savage Arms Westfield, Mass USA. There is an oval with the letters SP inside, and the serial number 1112184 is on the lever boss which may date to 1966. It has a gold trigger and a jeweled bolt but has the clip instead of rotary mag and counter. It's missing the clip, and hence my question as to what model is it? If it's the 99C I see two aftermarket clips listed on Numrich, but have no idea which one to get. Thank you in advance for reading and any info you can provide.

 

[ONE-TEN]

It’s a 99C. The 99DL used the Rotary mag. The oval with SP inside was a proof mark for “Smokeless Powder”
There should be an another Oval on the front of the Lever, with a Letter followed by a number inside.

Here is the Letter Date codes.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Also, if you haven’t seen it, feel free to research this site below. Not a talk forum, like here, so can’t ask questions. (That’s what WE are for!), but it has a great deal of useful info on the Savage 1899 & model 99. Very informative.

https://savagelevers.com/savage-serial-numbers-what-the-date-means/

 

[Newb99]

ONE-TEN, thank you for that. I just checked where you indicated and it looks like a T and 6 so 1966. Would you know the difference between the 99C and 99CD so I know which clip to order from Numrich? And yes, I checked out savagelevers too.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Sorry, I don’t know that off hand. But I can find out if no one else chimes in. I know a bit about the 99/1899 Levers, however, my real forte is the Model 110. The greatest bolt action rifle on earth! Well, my favorite anyway.

 

[Newb99]

Sorry, I don’t know that off hand. But I can find out if no one else chimes in. I know a bit about the 99/1899 Levers, however, my real forte is the Model 110. The greatest bolt action rifle on earth! Well, my favorite anyway.

Got it, I appreciate your help. Believe it or not, this is my first centerfire rifle, although I do have a Henry lever in 22lr.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Got it, I appreciate your help. Believe it or not, this is my first centerfire rifle, although I do have a Henry lever in 22lr.

Not a bad first highpower rifle. And 308 is a great cartridge!
Also, I got your answer. The 99CD is a “Deluxe” model. Most notably, it had a Monty Carlo style Stock. But they used the same Box Magazine. BTW: it’s my pleasure to help where I can.

 

[Newb99]

Yep, that's it ONE-TEN. Overall, it's in pretty good shape. Plan to break it down, check the innards, and refinish the stock.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Yep, that's it ONE-TEN. Overall, it's in pretty good shape. Plan to break it down, check the innards, and refinish the stock.

Oh, OK.

So, does your Model 99 look more like this? This is a 99C.


Or like this one? This is a 99CD.

 

[Newb99]

Oh, OK.

So, does your Model 99 look more like this? This is a 99C.


Or like this one? This is a 99CD.

ONE-TEN, looking at the butt plate and stock definitely the 99CD! That sure clears things up.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Awesome! You have a very nice Model 99 worth a pretty penny, depending on condition.

 

[Frontiersman]

I’m not an expert on these, but wasn’t the 308 toward the end of production? And with a removable box magazine?

I never saw the big advantage over the 300 Savage.

 

[Odin Road]

Frontiersman, herself and I have owned four 99f 308 between us and all had rotary magazines and the safety at the trigger guard. I seem to remember them being late fifties or early sixties production.

Have to edit. Before I met her there was one of the later 99f's with the tang safety, but I think it was rotary magazine as well.

 

[ONE-TEN]

I’m not an expert on these, but wasn’t the 308 toward the end of production? And with a removable box magazine?

I never saw the big advantage over the 300 Savage.

The 308Win was released in 1952, and the Model 99 was chambered for it shortly thereafter. The Model 99 was produced until at least 1997 (some sources cite its end coming in ‘98.). So no, the 308Win was not introduced as a chambering in the 99 near the end. Rather, about the half way point. (Including the model 1899)

Regarding the 308Win & 300 Savage, it is a quandary. We see even back in the early 1950’s new cartridges were being released with only marginally better ballistic performance. Here’s another interesting point. Hornady spent MILLIONS in advertising to push the 6.5 Creedmoor as some new technology in case design. In a country that has forever held to the 30 caliber. Hornady’s gamble paid off, making the Creedmoor one of the most popular cartridges in history. However, compare the SAAMI specs of the 6.5 Creedmoor & 300 Savage sometime. Not so “NEW”, afterall.

Just remember, different choices, even when seeming redundant, are a good thing.

 

[Frontiersman]

Thanks. I had forgotten they made the 99 that late. Were they all on the new receiver at that point? I can’t recall if Ive ever seen one of the late production ones. Were they scarce? I thought they ended back in the 70s. For something made for 100 years, you sure don’t see many.

Guess I better start paying more attention for them.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Yeah, I never did either until I researched. It seems like it cut in the 60’s. But no, it went that long. Quite a successful rifle, with well over a Million made.

 

[Charlie98]

Frontiersman, herself and I have owned four 99f 308 between us and all had rotary magazines and the safety at the trigger guard. I seem to remember them being late fifties or early sixties production.

Have to edit. Before I met her there was one of the later 99f's with the tang safety, but I think it was rotary magazine as well.

I've got a later production 99F in .308... with the tang safety, which I prefer. I used to know the production date, but like a lot of things, I've forgotten as of late. Mine has the rotary mag, and still has the round count window.

 

[Odin Road]

That is a handsome rifle. If you have other 99s with the old-style safety, do you find the trigger on the tang safety rifles as nice as the older ones? I ask because my experience led to my marked preference for the lever safety. It has been my lot to repair many 'improved' triggers, to the point that the cash register rings faintly in the back of my mind when tales of trigger projects surface.

 

[ONE-TEN]

I've got a later production 99F in .308... with the tang safety, which I prefer. I used to know the production date, but like a lot of things, I've forgotten as of late. Mine has the rotary mag, and still has the round count window.

Nice 99.
I posted the Date Code chart in post #2 Charlie. Just find the oval with the Number & Letter on yours.

 

[Newb99]

From what I see, that is a good looking piece there.

 

[Charlie98]

That is a handsome rifle. If you have other 99s with the old-style safety, do you find the trigger on the tang safety rifles as nice as the older ones? I ask because my experience led to my marked preference for the lever safety. It has been my lot to repair many 'improved' triggers, to the point that the cash register rings faintly in the back of my mind when tales of trigger projects surface.

Actually, I prefer the tang safety... I am, after all, a Mossberg shotgun guy at heart...

I had a pre-war 99? takedown, with the straight lever, and lever safety. I did NOT like the lever safety... I kept gouging my finger on it, and mine did not have a positive detent to hold it in one position or another (although I don't know if that was just mine, or if that was the way they all were.)

My 99F on the left, my 99? on the right. I say 99? because none of us have ever really been able to sort out what the rifle really was. It was in .30-30, and was a good shooter with the right sized bullets. I have since moved it down the trail.

 

[ONE-TEN]

It’s a Model 99D. Being a takedown with 22” barrel.

 

[Charlie98]

It’s a Model 99D. Being a takedown with 22” barrel.

It had some other markings on the front of the frame that had me scratching my head... but I'll take your word for it.

 

[Charlie98]

It’s a 99C. The 99DL used the Rotary mag. The oval with SP inside was a proof mark for “Smokeless Powder”
There should be an another Oval on the front of the Lever, with a Letter followed by a number inside.

Here is the Letter Date codes.

Is there a significance to the number inside the circle? Mine is 29T. Week of production, maybe?

 

[ONE-TEN]

Is there a significance to the number inside the circle? Mine is 29T. Week of production, maybe?

The number before the letter is the Inspector’s number checking out the rifle, I believe. Your 99 was made in 1966. (As you likely already looked. LOL!) But, wait. Is this your 99F you’re referring to? The one on the LEFT in the picture? I thought you said your Takedown 99 on the RIGHT of picture, was PRE-war?

 

[ONE-TEN]

It had some other markings on the front of the frame that had me scratching my head... but I'll take your word for it.

I apologize. I could be wrong. The Model 99D was specifically Takedown with 22” Barrel & Straight grip frame/lever. But yes, it could still be another letter designation. The 99’s were kinda funny like that. And I’m not an expert on them by any means. I’m just a huge Savage fan, and have researched a GREAT deal of information about them over the last many years. But others know worlds more about the 99/1899 than myself.

Here’s a quick video listing the variants of both.

 

[SevenFan]

Is there a significance to the number inside the circle? Mine is 29T. Week of production, maybe?

As stated, the number is the inspector's stamp, the letter is the year of production code.

 

[Charlie98]

The number before the letter is the Inspector’s number checking out the rifle, I believe. Your 99 was made in 1966. (As you likely already looked. LOL!) But, wait. Is this your 99F you’re referring to? The one on the LEFT in the picture? I thought you said your Takedown 99 on the RIGHT of picture, was PRE-war?

Yes, I was asking about the 99F. The 99D was made in 1927 (if memory serves.) All the data I had on the markings went away with the old website, to include the frame stampings. It wasn't a bad rifle, but it had non standard wood, including a horrible beavertail forearm, and it had been professionally refinished.

 

[ONE-TEN]

Yes, I was asking about the 99F. The 99D was made in 1927 (if memory serves.) All the data I had on the markings went away with the old website, to include the frame stampings. It wasn't a bad rifle, but it had non standard wood, including a horrible beavertail forearm, and it had been professionally refinished.

Ok, sorry. I was confused. (Which isn’t difficult for me)

I noticed that right away. The handguard on that one in the picture is unlike any other I’ve seen. Unique, yes. But incorrect for those looking for the classic appeal of the Model 99.

Here it is isolated & enlarged. Very strange indeed. Maybe a custom made piece?

 

[Alan]

I've got a later production 99F in .308... with the tang safety, which I prefer. I used to know the production date, but like a lot of things, I've forgotten as of late. Mine has the rotary mag, and still has the round count window.

I agree, this is one good looking 99.