Gun show find: Savage 99 circa 1935

[bigmoose]

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.

 

[PALADIN85020]

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.

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]

Savage 99 Carbine...

Dug this one out of the woods a couple of years ago and gave it to my youngest son, Ryan who admires '99s.



It's either a "G" or and "H". Can't remember any more. I do recall that it's a .30-30 and he does shoot it well.

We do like our lever carbines up here in the woods...

 

[bigmoose]

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.

 

[bigmoose]

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.

 

[RevolverDen]

Nice find! Nothing beats a vintage rifle that is as usable as anything off the shelf new... Enjoy!

 

[gregintenn]

I have already forgotten about those Ben Franklins (over ten of them).

I think that rifle would command several 10 stacks of Bens.

 

[Silver77]

"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.

 

[bigolddave]

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.

 

[bigmoose]

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.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Nice rifle-no more of them Bud.

 

[Silver77]

bigolddave, thanks for the info to answer my question, I appreciate it.

 

[Boox]

While i'm not a collector, I do own and shoot 4 different model 99's. 2 are 303 Savage and other than the early 1899(1905 vintage) B transition model with the crescent buttstock, they are a hoot to shoot. My other 303 is a Takedown from circa 2924, which is generally more accurate with my 150 grain handloads.
I also have a 1950 F model in 300 savage and a 2964 model EG in .243.
Savage 99's are a little heavy if you do a lot of walking around, but they are blessed with a natural balance point at the receiver which is why most of them have the blueing worn off at the bottom of the receiver. I enjoy them more than the old Marlin's I used to accumulate, I love the smooth clean lines.
Ammo is occasionally available, as are components, Norma brass, and 30-30 loads are fine in the .303's and the 300 Savage is still available commercially.

 

[bigmoose]

.303 Savage Cartridge

From the Savage catalog number 24 printed sometime around or after 1909:

"The .303-Caliber Six-shot Repeater is without a doubt the most popular big game arm ever built. One of the principal features of this caliber is the tight fit of the bullet, which, by preventing the escapage of gases around it,increases its velocity and develops a greater accuracy than can be secured in any other manner. The soft-nose bullet used in this arm mushrooms in the most perfect manner and instantly expands upon striking flesh alone. When you consider that this rifle has greater killing power at 150 than the 45-90, some idea of its deadly hitting force is unmistakably evident. Moreover, the arm itself is light in weight, has slight recoil, and its accurate range is 1000 yards."

Wow, quite the wonder cartridge, according to Savage.

Cartridges of the World:

"Dogma holds that the .303 Savage is not a true .303 but instead uses standard .308-inch bullets. However, current SAAMI specs call for a bullet of .311-inch. Measurements of bullets on three lots of each of two makes of WWII-era factory loads yields mixed results. Some were .308-inch+, others .310-inch+."...
It goes on to say that the 190gr bullet gave good penetration on deer sized game, and that if loaded with 150gr spitzers (2500 fps) it definitely outclassed the .30-30.

If I were to handload this cartridge I would attempt to duplicate Savage's true intent with a jacketed lead bullet of .311 diameter and 190 grains (as pictured in their catalog). Alas, so much to do, so little time.