Savage Model 1899A Takedown .303 Sav 26” Lever Action Rifle 1920 C&R
LSB#: LSB251002RS003
Make: Savage
Model: 99A Takedown
Serial Number: 229310
Year of Manufacture: 1920
Caliber: .308 Win
Action Type: Lever Action, fed by internal rotary magazine
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION / UTICA NY. U.S.A.”. The left side of the barrel is marked “SAVAGE HI PRESSURE STEEL .303 Win”. The bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 26”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated ramp that is soldered to the barrel. The rear sight is a Marbles styled leaf rear sight dovetailed into the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a two piece walnut, straight grip, straight comb, with a rifle style steel buttplate. The stock has been refinished and only has minor handling wear, small dings and scratches. Overall the stock rate is in Very Good condition for a refinish.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is some minor erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle has been refinished. There is minor pitting under the new pitting. There is minor scuffing and scratching throughout. The lever has been blued. The screw heads are sharp, and the pins are unmarred. The markings are clear and legible. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good condition for a refinish.
Mechanics: The action is complete and functions correctly. There is minimal play barrel to receiver with the takedown. We did not fire this gun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Savage’s Model 1899A Takedown represents an important period in the company’s evolution from the black powder era into the modern age of high-pressure smokeless cartridges. By 1920, when this rifle was produced, the Model 1899 had already established itself as one of the most advanced lever actions of its time, incorporating a hammerless action, a robust rotary magazine with cartridge counter, and the precision necessary to handle higher-velocity hunting rounds. The addition of a takedown system made the rifle especially appealing to travelers and outdoorsmen who valued portability without sacrificing rigidity or accuracy, and this long 26-inch barrel configuration is characteristic of rifles intended for extended sight radius and optimized ballistics.
Although early Savage literature occasionally used varying terminology, this rifle is correctly chambered for the .303 Savage cartridge—a proprietary round introduced in the 1890s to compete with the .30-30 Winchester. The .303 Savage earned a strong reputation for clean performance on game, combining modest recoil with effective energy and penetration, especially when loaded with heavier bullets. This example retains a bright bore with sharp rifling, showing only light age wear, a strong indicator that the rifle saw responsible use and maintenance throughout its working life. Its Marble’s-style sights, refinished walnut stock, and takedown feature remain consistent with period production and highlight the thoughtful sporting design Savage offered during the interwar years.
The rifle shows evidence of professional refinishing, including blued lever surfaces and light pitting beneath the finish, but it retains clear markings, sharp screw heads, and fully functional mechanics with minimal play at the takedown joint. The overall presentation suggests a rifle that was restored with care to preserve its utility and presence. As a 1920 C&R-eligible example of one of America’s most innovative lever actions, it offers both historical interest and classic lines from the era when Savage was engineering some of its finest sporting rifles. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid. MF
