Need information on this Model 99 rifle .

[coyote trapper1928]

SAVAGE, MODEL 99, 250/3000 CALIBER, LEVER ACTION RIFLE; SERIAL # 670389


What year was it made and what would be the approximate value?

Thanks,

[Hairtrigger]

The only help I can be is I have a 99 in the same caliber with a S/N 229--- that was made in 1921.
My 99 is a takedown model that has been used but still is accurate enough for woodchucks.

[olgrouser]

According to the serial number it might be 52 or 53. The boss lever code would be more definate.

Here are some corresponding serial numbers and their date of manufacture:


D= 1952 621686(3D), 6274xx, 636571, 638145(3D), 6558XX, 6693xx, 6726XX

E= 1953 6765xx, 6766xx, 677769, 682xxx, 709xxx


Check the letter in the oval in front of the lever...

Olgrouser

[coyote trapper1928]

What is the average price for one in good condition?

[Ron T.]

According to my records, I'd say your rifle was manufactured in 1952... and should have a "D" Lever Boss Code.

However, the most accurate method of determining the year of manufacture of rifles made from 1949 to 1970 is by using what is called the "Lever Boss Code"... even more accurate than the rifle's serial number.

Savage began stamping an inspector's number and a letter in a faintly stamped oval on the lever boss (the extension on the lower, front side of the receiver in which the lever rotates) in 1949.   This is what is called the “Lever Boss Code”.

Savage continued to use Lever Boss Code numbers & letters until 1970. The letters "O" and "Q" were skipped and not used in the Code series due to their similarity.

The number was the inspector's number plus the letter indicating the year of manufacture... ("A" was used in 1949, "B" in 1950, "C" in 1951 and so forth)... and so, if a rifle were made in 1952 & inspected by Inspector #12, it would have a Lever Boss Code that looked like this: 12D

Please look (you may need a magnifying glass) at your rifle and tell us the Lever Boss Code.  But don't be surprised if you can only see a PARTIAL lever Boss Code due to the very light embossing of the LBC.   

As concerns value, that depends on many factors including what model, the overall condition of the rifle, the caliber.  Without a lot more information, the value could be anywhere from "no value" if in very poor condition to as much as $2500-$3,000 if it's a special, engraved model in perfect condition.

One of the most popular models in the early 1950's was the "EG" model which has a schnoble forearm, a pistol grip butt-stock with a steel butt-plate, a cartridge counter, lever-safety and hand-cut checkering.  If your rifle is an "EG" in, let's say, very good (95%) condition, it's value would be in the $500-$800 depending on what part of the country you're in.

Regardless of what model you have... your rifle was made during the last part of an era in which the Model 99 Savage rifle was of the highest quality.  Once Savage moved their manufacturing operations from Chicopee Fall, Mass. where your rifle was made (look on the barrel) to Westfield, Mass., the Model 99's overall quality dropped considerably.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.