Savage Model 99-R Heavy Rifle 99 R .300 Sav 24″ Lever Action Rifle 1953 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1175
LSB#: 220208AS002
Make: Savage Arms Corporation
Model: 99-R Heavy Rifle
Serial Number: 722203
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Caliber: .300 Savage
Action Type: Lever Action with Rotary Magazine. This rifle is a solid frame model.
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “.300 SAVAGE” and “SP” in oval, the right “HI-PRESSURE STEEL – PROOF TESTED”, and the top “SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION / CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. U.S.A.”. The left of the chamber ring is marked “SAVAGE / MODEL 99” and “V”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number in front of the lever, the front of the lever boss is marked with an ovalled “19” and with a letter we cannot make out.
Barrel Length: 24″ Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass beaded blade set in a slotted base dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base integral to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V” notch sight dovetailed into the barrel. The top of the receiver has two pairs of drilled, tapped, and filled holes. The top tang has a pair of drilled, tapped, and filled holes.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, serrated metal buttplate, semi-beavertail forend, and sling swivels front and rear. There is a small crack on the left side of the buttstock on the rear edge up by the heel. there are a few little marks through the finish that have darkened with age, the most noticeable is on the right cheek. There are a few scattered compressions and draglines. There are some scattered light handling marks. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the metal buttplate. The buttplate has a few scattered light marks. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with Case Color Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There are a few spots of very light surface erosion, most noticeable at the muzzle.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The receiver has some faint mottled discoloration. The receiver has a few minor scuffs. The barrel has a couple of tiny specs of dark discoloration from previous oxidation, mostly at the midsection. There is standard operational wear. There are some light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with serviceable slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is Savage paperwork including a manual.
Our Assessment: The Savage 1899/99 model rifles have quite a history. They were preceded by the Model 1895, which was the first hammerless lever-action rifle produced. A hammerless action was useful as it reduces the lock time, allows the rifle to be fired more accurately and is less likely to jam in brush or snag in clothing. The 1895 and 1899/99 models used a rotary magazine to hold the cartridges, using a spring-loaded spool with grooves. The 1899/99 models added a counter to the spool to indicate how many rounds are loaded. This design allowed the use of spitzer bullets, which could not be used in the tubular magazine rifles of the times because the pointed tips in the tubular magazines could cause an accidental discharge. This gave Savage a lead in producing rifles that could handle high-velocity smokeless powder cartridges with bullets offering flatter trajectories than other lever-action designs. This is a Model 99-R Heavy Rifle with a checkered pistol grip stock and a semi-beavertail forend. The rifle has a 24” barrel chambered for .300 Savage and retains its original finish. This is a nice-looking vintage rifle and will be a welcome addition to a C&R or lever-action rifle collection! Please see our photos and good luck!