Savage Model 99 F Lever Action Rifle 24” .308 Win C&R 1956 w/ Nikon Scope
SOLD FOR: $980
WOA#: WY240318JM005
Make: Savage
Model: 99 F
Serial Number: 916055
Year of Manufacture: 1956
Caliber: 308 Winchester
Action Type: Lever Action with Internal Rotary Magazine
Markings: The top of the receiver is marked “SAVAGE / MODEL 99”. The left side of the barrel is marked “308 WIN” with a proof. 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 bottom of the receiver is marked with the serial number. The lever boss is marked with a circled “17H”.
Barrel Length: 24” Round
Sights / Optics: The rear sight is an empty dovetail. The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a slotted base fixed to the barrel. The top tang has a pair of drilled and tapped holes for rear sight options (not included).The top of the receiver is mounted with a Weaver two piece scope base with a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9×40 BDC Scope. The sight picture is clear. The scope rates in Fine condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped pistol grip, straight comb, serrated metal buttplate, and checkered forend, and sling swivels front and rear. There are a few small compressions and handling marks on the stocks. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 13 1/4? 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 for C&R. There are no chips or cracks.
Type of Finish: Blued with Case Color Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. This writer rates the bore at a 9/10 for C&R.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The finish is strong throughout except on the lever where it has muted a bit where handling normally occurs. The screw heads are sharp to lightly tool marked with serviceable slots. There is some minor thinning on the leading edges and some finish loss at the muzzle. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition for C&R.
Mechanics: The action functions as intended. 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: This rifle comes with its Nikon Scope as mentioned above, original scope box, and its attached leather Bianchi Cobra Sling in Fine condition. The leather is pliable with no rips or tears.
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 Model 99 rifle from 1956 has a 24” barrel chambered for .308 Win and retains its original finish though some of it has faded with honest aging around the lever. But overall, 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! – L.S.
