Savage Model 99 Lever Action Rifle 24” .30-30 Winchester MFD 1927
SOLD FOR: $815
WOA#: WY240210SL039
Make: Savage
Model: 99
Serial Number: 294939
Year of Manufacture: 1927
Caliber: .30-30
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 “CAL.30-30” with an SP proof. The top of the barrel is marked “-SAVAGE ARMS- / WESTFIELD, MASS U.S.A.”. The right side of the barrel is marked “HI-PRESSURE STEEL-PROOF TESTED”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “294939”. The lever boss is marked “M”. The buttplate is marked “SAVAGE QUALITY / TRADE MARK”.
Barrel Length: 24” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated ramp fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a folding adjustable u-notch sight with white triangle aim reference. The top tang has a pair of drilled and tapped holes mounted with an adjustable Marble peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a capped semi pistol grip, straight comb, serrated metal buttplate, and semi-beavertail forend. There are some mild scratches, nicks, and compressions scattered throughout the stocks. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the metal buttplate. The buttplate has some minor erosion on the heel and toe. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition for C&R.
Type of Finish: Blued with Case Color Lever
Finish Originality: Original, Refinished/Modern Barrel.
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 10/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 70% of its metal finish. The receiver has some faint mottled discoloration. The receiver has a few minor scuffs. There is standard operational wear. There are some light handling marks. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn with serviceable slots. The case color is stong on the lever in the protected areas but has gone mute where normal handling occurs. The barrel retains nearly all of its bluing on its more modern barrel. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good condition.
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: 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 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 has a 24” barrel chambered for .30-30 and retains its original finish on its receiver though some of it has faded with honest aging. But overall, this is a nice-looking vintage rifle and will be a welcome addition to a lever-action rifle collection! Please see our photos and good luck! – L.S.
