Savage Model 99 1899 .300 Sav 24″ Rotary Mag Lever Action Rifle, 1951 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,075.00

WOA#: WY240411RW012
Make: Savage Arms Corporation
Model: 99
Serial Number: 611838
Year of Manufacture: 1951
Caliber: .300 Savage
Action Type: Lever Action with Rotary Magazine
Markings: The front of the lever boss is marked with an ovalled “23C”. The left side of the barrel is marked “.300 SAVAGE” and “SP” in oval. The top of the barrel is marked “SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION / CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. U.S.A.”. The right side of the barrel is marked “HI-PRESSURE STEEL – PROOF TESTED”. The chamber ring is marked “SAVAGE / MODEL 99”. The underside of the receiver is marked with the serial number.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in a slotted base dovetailed into a serrated ramp machined to the front of the barrel. The rear rear sight is a “V”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled for a tang sight (none present).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are custom carved checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, schnabel tip forend, and serrated steel buttplate. The stock has a buck scene on the right, a bear scene on the left, oak leaf motif and texturing surrounding the original factory checkering. There is a little bit of fill at the rear edge of the top tang. There are some minor nicks and scuffs. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP is 13 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has light wear with well defined serrations, coated with what appears to be the stocks’ new finish. The stocks rate in about Fine condition as customized.
Type of Finish: Blued with Case Color Lever
Finish Originality: Original, most surfaces are coated with the stocks’ new finish.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some minor erosion at the muzzle-end. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 8 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish appears to be strong throughout, but as noted it is coated with the stocks’ new finish. There are some light nicks and scratches. There are grind marks inside the receiver below the chamber mouth. There are some spots of discoloration from oxidation. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in Very Good-plus 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: 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 most of the lever action 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 Model 99 is a solid frame model made with a nicely customized set of stocks. The rifle has a 24” barrel chambered for the .300 Savage cartridge. This rifle is in great mechanical condition for being 70 years old and has a strong bore. If the collectors don’t pay enough attention, this will make a great deer rifle for next season. Please see our photos and good luck!

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud