Savage Model 99K Lever Action Rifle Chambered in .300 Savage W/ .410 Barrel
SOLD FOR: $3,825.00
LSB#: LSB250608WJ018
Make: Savage
Model: 99K, Grade A Engraved
Serial Number: 332859
Year of Manufacture: 1930
Caliber: .300 Savage
Action Type: Lever
Markings: Right side of barrel is marked “HI-PRESSURE STEEL-PROOF TESTED”. The top of the barrel has engraving and “SAVAGE – SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION / UTICA, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.” Top, left, and right of receiver are engraved consistent with Grade A”. The left side of the gun barrel is marked “.300 Savage”. The bottom of the receiver is marked “332859”. The inside of the buttplate, the butt of the stock, and the barrel channel of the forestock are all stamped “332859”.
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed dovetailed blade sight on a ramped base. The rear sight is a fixed U-notch sight. On the receiver tang is a folding Lyman peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a wood stock with very sharp diamond grips carved into it. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the metal buttstock. The stock rates an Excellent condition.
Magazine Quantity & Condition: Internal 5-round Rotary Magazine
Type of Finish: Blued Steel
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: – Rifle Barrel: The bore is bright and the rifling is distinct. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 9/10.
– Shotgun Barrel: The bore is bright and the are just a few tiny scratches therein. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 9/10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 80% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows thinning on both receiver and barrels. There is blueing loss in small spots of the barrel and on the edges of the receiver. There is no corrosion pitting. The screw heads are sharp. The pins are clean. The markings are clear. Overall, this well-preserved rifle rates an Excellent 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: Rifle comes with a .410 barrel and a leg of mutton red leather case.
Our Assessment: How does one know when they have designed a superior firearm? When it is manufactured continuously for over 100 years! Arthur Savage did just that, with his rifle, Model 1892, which, with some modifications became the Model 1895, the Model 1899, and finally the Model 99.
The Model 1892 competed unsuccessfully with the Krag-Jorgensen for the US Army contract to replace the Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor rifle. In its M1895 form, it competed successfully to replace the trapdoor Springfield for the New York National Guard. Unfortunately, the order for this greatly superior rifle was cancelled due to scandal, leaving the New York volunteers still using the trapdoor Springfield and being outgunned by the Spanish at the Battle of San Juan Hill, 1898.
The Savage Model 99 remains the most iconic weapon produced by Savage Arms throughout their storied history. The Model 99 had several unique and innovative features that made it a worthy competitor to the big names of its day like Colt and Winchester. The most notable of these features is the Model 99’s rotary feed magazine. The magazine’s cylindrical design meant it could fit higher power rounds than the tube fed magazines of its competitors. It even had a built-in round counter on the side of the gun.
Many famous big game hunters including Roy Chapman and Harry Caldwell would use this gun, and it would even end up in the hands of lawmen like Frank Hamer, the man who caught Bonnie and Clyde.
This rifle in particular is chambered in .300 Savage, the mainstay round for the firearm — a comparable round to the .30-06 that was common US issue during World Wars I and II. This rifle is still in remarkably good shape and was apparently part of a 300 Savage Combination Kit, so that it comes with a .410 barrel.
A lover of vintage rifles should examine our photos closely…
-C.B.
