Savage Model 99F 99-F Featherweight .250-3000 Lever Action Rifle, 1955 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,076.00
LSB#: 241207AA173
Make: Savage Arms Corporation
Model: 99F Featherweight
Serial Number: 758952
Year of Manufacture: 1955
Caliber: .250-3000 Savage
Action Type: Lever Action with Rotary Magazine. This rifle is a solid frame model.
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION / CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS, U.S.A.”. The left side of the chamber is marked “.250-3000 SAVAGE” with a circled SP proof. The left side of the chamber ring is marked “SAVAGE / MODEL 99 / N”. The right sight of the barrel is marked “HI-PRESSURE STEEL – PROOF TESTED / MODEL – 99F”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “758952”.
Barrel Length: 22” Round
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a serrated, ramped base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed to the barrel. The top of the receiver is drilled, tapped and filled for scope and receiver sight mounts (none included).
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with capped pistol grip, straight comb, Pachmayr White Line ventilated rubber buttpad, and two sling rings front and rear. The stocks have some scattered compressions, scratches, and minor nicks. The checkering is crisp with minor wear on the peaks. The LOP measures 13 1/8? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. There is light handling wear on the pad. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. There are some tool marks on the barrel right of the front sight. The action shows light operational wear. There is thinning on the leading edges and the muzzle. The case color on the lever is vibrant with some muting on the handling areas and on the right side. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a flat safety on the right side of the bottom tang that locks the lever and the trigger. The lever locks up tightly. 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 a leather sling in Very Good condition.
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 99F Featherweight chambered for the .250-3000 Savage cartridge. The bore is great and the mechanics are strong. 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! – L.S.
