Savage Model 99-DL 99DL 99M 99-M .358 Win 24″ Lever Action Rifle, 1962 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2001
LSB#: 220427AJ003
Make: Savage Arms Corporation
Model: 99-DL (99M)
Serial Number: 1052415
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Caliber: .358 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Rotary Magazine. This rifle is a solid frame model.
Markings: The left of the barrel is marked “358 WIN.” and “SP” in oval, the right “HI-PRESSURE STEEL – PROOF TESTED / – MODEL – 99M -“, and the top “SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION / WESTFIELD, MASS. U.S.A.”. The left of the chamber ring is marked “SAVAGE / MODEL 99 / M” and with an inspection mark. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number in front of the lever, the front of the lever boss is marked “12N”.
Barrel Length: 24″ Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base forged to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a folding “V”-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight with vertical white aiming reference dovetailed to a boss at the rear of the barrel. The receiver is installed with a pair of bases and rings holding a Bushnell Sportview scope. There are some scattered scuffs, areas of light residue, and some minor marks through the finish. The scope has a duplex reticle and the glass is clear, the scope rates in about Fine condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, monte-carlo comb, brown rubber buttpad, and sling swivels front and rear. The checkering size is different on the forend and wrist. There are a few little light compressions. There are some little nicks into the wood, the most noticeable are on the rear of the comb. There are no chips or cracks. There is a small gap between the receiver and forend. The wrist is shy to the top tang and shy to the bottom tang. The sides of the wrist are proud to the sides of the receiver. The checkering is mostly strong. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad 13 1/8″ to the wood. The pad has some scattered light wear. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There are some freckles of faint surface erosion in the bore, hardly noticeable.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are some scuffs on the receiver. There are some scattered hairline scratches and draglines on the receiver. The receiver has some scattered freckles of frost. There is some thinning and finish loss on the lever from use. There are some spots of lacquer on the lever. There are some scattered little spots of oxidation on the barrel. The barrel has some scattered little scuffs that have lightly thinned the finish. There are some little marks through the finish on the barrel. There is some finish loss on the edge of the muzzle. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a tang-mounted safety that locks the lever and the trigger. There is a cocking indicator on the top tang and a magazine counter on the left-front. 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: None
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 Winchester rifles of the times because the pointed tips in the tubular magazines could cause 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 example is a model 99-DL chambered for the powerful .358 Winchester cartridge. The DL model was a Deluxe model, the first produced with a Monte Carlo comb, and was marked “99M” on the barrel, presumably to reference the “M”note Carlo comb. Produced in the 1960s this rifle is in Very Good-Fine condition with wear consistent with little use, a great bore and strong mechanics. This will make a great addition to a Savage collection or a hunting rifle with another lifetime’s worth of use left in it. Please see our photos and good luck!