Cowboy
There are numerous sub-models of the Savage Model 99 lever-action rifles and various ways those who own or would like to own the best lever-action rifle ever made can judge the age and value of a Model 99 Savage rifle. The best way to determine the value of that Model 99 you saw at the pawn shop is to get as much information as you can about the rifle. As example, whats the serial number? Does it have a schnoble forearm (that little turned-up part on the front of the slender forearm). What letter does it have inside that faint, tiny circle on the front of the lever boss (the lever boss is that extension on the receiver where the lever pivots)? Does the rifle have checkering on the stock and forearm? Does the rifle have a pistol grip or is the stock straight? As you can see, ANY and ALL information you can give will help to determine the value of the Model 99 you saw at the pawn shop
and the condition of the rifle is VERY important in determining its value. Is the bore bright and sharp or badly worn? Is the bluing and wood in good shape or is it beat up and worn?
Prices can vary widely depending on condition and where you are in the USA. It is quite reasonable that a M-99 that would only be worth $385 in New Hampshire... or $450 here in Ohio... but might go for $500-$700 out where you live.
It's the old "Law of supply and demand" working in a free-market that causes such wide price fluctuations... so don't pass up a good Model 99 simply because it is somewhat more expensive out on the west coast compared to mid-western or eastern US prices.
The .300 Savage caliber is an excellent one... the "father" of the popular .308 Winchester. The Model 99 in .300 Savage caliber is "THE" perfect deer rifle with 150 grain bullets and will do a decent job on elk, moose and black bear with 180 grain bullets.
If you are a handloader, you will find the .300 Savage quite easy to reload, contrary to those to continue to keep alive the rumor that it is "difficult to reload". My current handloads consisting of a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet in front of a maximum charge of IMR4895 sparked by a standard Winchester large rifle primer in Winchester cartridge cases chronographs velocities that average 2675 fps out of the 24-inch barrel of my 1953 "EG".
Once you get your Model 99 and work up the best handloads for it, you're going to find it will probably give you considerably more accuracy than most other lever-action rifles... accuracy that many bolt-action rifles would envy. Model 99's that are capable of shooting groups smaller than 1-inch at 100 yards are common place... more the "RULE" rather than the "EXCEPTION".
My own EG was made in Chicopee Falls, Mass. (serial # 709XXX) and Murray's book, "The Ninety-Nine" (considered "THE" authority on Model 99's) indicates Model 99's made in Chicopee Falls had serial numbers that ran from 438,000 to 1,094,000 with "guns in 800,000 serial number range are very scarce". This translates into possibly higher prices for M-99's in the 800,000 serial number range.
Murray's book also indicates that the Model 99 Savage rifles were manufactured in Chicopee Falls from 1946 to 1960.
While I haven't found any reference to it in Murray's book, Savage began lightly stamping a "code" into the "face" on the front of the lever boss (the protrusion that sticks out from the receiver into which the lever is fastened and rotates) in 1949 consisting of a faint, tiny circle with a letter indicating the year of manufacture inside the tiny circle.
This "indentifier" began with the letter "A" in 1949, then the letter "B" in 1950, the letter "C" in 1951, the letter "D" in 1952, the letter "E" in 1953... and so forth until 1960 when this indicator of the year of manufacture stopped which coincided with Savage moving their manufacturing facilities from Chicopee Fall, Mass. to Westfield, Massachusetts.
Murray's book is a wealth of information on Savage Model 99's. If you'd like to get an autographed copy of Doug Murray's "The Ninety-Nine", send your check or money order for $30 (includes delivery postage to you) to:
Doug Murray
20 Polo Lane
Westbury, N.Y. 11590
I hope this information helps you. Good luck in finding your Model 99. You'll never regret having this fine rifle. It is already becoming an American Icon and I expect that the selling prices will continue to rise rapidly as the "pool" of available Savage Model 99's "dries up".
Strength & Honor...
Ron T.
