Gun show find: Savage 99 circa 1935

bigmoose

bigmoose

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Every once in a while a small town gun show will yield a scarce and desirable firearm. I lucked out recently finding this 99. It is in the rare "T" configuration...20" lightweight barrel, beavertail forend with ample checkering, checkered pistol grip, special sights. Made in Utica, NY around 1935 or early '36, this rifle rings all the bells for the 99 collector. It has been gently used and is in high condition, no holes drilled anywhere, never been messed with. Such a pleasure to find one like that. One of the coolest factors (to me at least) is the caliber: .303 Savage. This round was fading in popularity by the 1930's and I am willing to bet not many "T"s (or other 99s for that matter) were chambered in it by that time.

It is quick to the shoulder and balances extremely well. I will carry it on occasion (in rotation with old Remingtons) on those clear days during deer season.
 

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Actually, in another thread about Savage arms a bunch of guys have posted their 303 Savage 99s. Caliber may be more popular than you think.
 
Savage 99's seem to have a strong following everywhere. Never saw one up for sale that wasn't snapped up by someone pretty quickly.
 
My ex's father had one in .308 - excellent rifle! I lost my shot at inheriting it when she became an ex! Oh, well, not a bad trade-off..... :D

***GRJ***
 
Most of the ones you run across were originally bought for deer hunting and are well used. I had an early mint 50s example in 250Savage that someone talked me out of around 10 years ago. I've been kicking myself ever since.
Jim
 
You have a real gem there. In addition to the rather rare caliber, you have the original T rear sight. I have one in .30WCF (30/30), which is also uncommon. Unfortunately a previous owner installed a tang sight, and the original sight is gone. From what I understand, not all of the T's had that sight, and many were changed, as the sight was very different from what most were used to.


 
Addendum:

The T is at the bottom-showed up at a small local show, walking around. I had already spent my money on a Terrier and a Second Model HE .44, but a good buddy helped me out. Good thing is happened when it did, as he is turned on to 99's now, and would have kept it!
 
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I grew up in Utica, and still live in Central NY. I have examined hundreds of 99s and never came across a T until this one.

Thanks to all for the kind comments.

gregintenn: Thanks, I will go over to 24hourcampfire and talk Savages.

Now I've taken up enough space here with rifle stuff, let's get back to the pistols....range report on the Remington 1911R1 Commander coming soon (new thread).
 
vonn said:
Savage 99's seem to have a strong following everywhere. Never saw one up for sale that wasn't snapped up by someone pretty quickly.
Click to expand...

That maybe a regional thing. I sat through an auction in NV where several Savage 99s went cheap, so much so I nearly bid on one. I was told by a friend that the consignor was gutted at the low prices realized. To be fair, most of them were newer models in calibers like .308 and .243, so the collector rating would have been lower.
 
Now that was a nice find! A few years back I picked up a nice 1948 vintage EG in 300 Savage. Don't hunt anymore but I always rather liked the 99's.
 
5BeansintheWheel said:
If a person can find a Savage 1899/99 that does not have extra holes, recoil pad or a major crack/split in the butt stock, grab it. I love old Winchesters but prefer the Savage over the Winchester 1894/94.



Patrick
Click to expand...

Good point about the extra holes and such. Forgot to mention my "nice" 1949 vintage EG was drilled and tapped, the $325.00 price reflected that. Found a nice usable made in El Paso Texas Weaver K-4 with dot reticule for on it to fill up those nasty holes. One interesting thing to me was I removed the wood for a though cleaning and found that the fore stock and butt stock were numbered to the gun.
 
.303 Savage

It is widely rumored that the .303 Savage can no longer kill deer but all isn't lost a I'll take it off your hands!

Wow, great find and in original condition. It's value starts at four figures. And yes, there's a special satisfaction in hunting with vintage firearms. I've owned and sold three 99s but none as nice as your's.
 
That's a really nice 99! I think the Savage 99s are some of the nicest handling sporting rifles ever made. I have an EG model in .300 Savage, made in 1951 in Chicopee Falls. It was used for the photo in my book in the chapter on the Savage 99. I did quite a bit of research on the 99 and its inventor, Arthur Savage. He had a life story that would put Indiana Jones to shame. Very interesting man. You have a definite classic there, and a very good example.

John

SAVAGE_99_zps84d56e69.jpg
 
bigmoose said:
PALADIN,
I am embarrassed to admit that I don't recognize the book. What is the title? Glad to know that there are folks like you on this forum.
Click to expand...

The book has just been released. The title is 101 Classic Firearms. It's both a coffee table book and a serious reference work on over 100 classic firearms. 14 Smith & Wesson guns are included. It's illustrated with photos I have taken, and of course the text is authored by me. It's available here:

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

John
 
Sebago Son,

I lived in Brunswick for a few years long ago and hunted deer near Mooselookmeguntic Lake and also near the Belgrade Lakes. Never got a shot but there are some big deer up there. Nice photos, thanks for posting them.

Paladin, thanks for the info on the book. I really enjoy reading those center articles in the Blue Press.
 
For those wondering, the 99 was not cheap. When I examined it (very closely, like I always do) and realized how rare and neat it was, I decided to make my best deal but was not leaving without it. Even after the deal was struck, I was reluctant to set it down to pay the dealer. A couple of "Johnny-come-lately"s were hovering close to see what was going on with this Savage.

Was the price fair? Yes, even more than fair....but still a decent chunk of change. I have already forgotten about those Ben Franklins (over ten of them).
I have discovered that "non-buyers remorse" is much more difficult than buyer's remorse. Let me explain....
With buyer's remorse, you just sell the damn thing, maybe at a loss, maybe not. (I have done this several times in my gun collecting career) I have lost money, broke even, and made money. I soon forget the whole thing happened.
With non-buyer's remorse, you kick yourself for years for being too cheap or stupid to buy that gun that really was quite a thing of beauty. You remember every little detail, damn, damn, damn.
 
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Nice find! Nothing beats a vintage rifle that is as usable as anything off the shelf new... Enjoy!
 
"T"

Being a newbie to Savage 99 rifles would someone tell me what identifies a "T" 99. I have two 99s, one a 1939 base mdl. and the other a 1951 mdl. with checking. Alas the '39 has the nasty holes but otherwise very clean.
 
The T has a 20 inch barrel (possibly 22 in .300 Savage) and the forearm does not have the schnabel common to most 99's. The forearm also has a noticeable taper just in front of the receiver. The rear sight has a shallow V with a white line down the center, facing the shooter's eye. The sight is often missing, due to replacement with either a peep sight or a more common U or narrow V sight. Some well versed in 99's think that a number left the factory with a more common rear sight.

See the pictures of the OP's rifle, especially the forearm and rear sight. The T was made for only a few years, in the depths of the depression, and few were made. The most common calibers are .300 and .250/3000; the .30 WCF is a scarce version of a scarce rifle, the .303 Savage is a rare version. The experts differ as to whether the .22 HiPower or the .303 are the rarest. Both calibers were pretty much at the end of their runs.

There is a Savage Fest being held in Wisconsin in a couple of weeks. There will probably be 500 or so of the attendees finest. There will be less than ten T's, and I would be willing to bet none will be .303's.
 
When I get back to the "ranch" I will post some interesting tidbits regarding the .303 Savage cartridge that I dug up in an old Savage catalog and "Cartridges of the World".

Bigolddave, Thanks for the informative post, I am grateful for the info you provided.
 
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