The Savage Model 99 was based on the Savage Model 1895, which was designed by Arthur Savage and E.W. Bliss during the last decade of the 19th Century. The two firearms designers collaborated to develop would would become the the first hammerless lever-action rifle. The rifle five-shot rotary magazine which utilized a spring-loaded spool with grooves to hold the cartridges. The rotating magazine design allowed the rifle to be one of the first lever-action rifles to use spitzer bullets commercially introduced in the decade after its development. Previous lever-action rifles used tubular magazines, which placed cartridges of ammunition end to end. The pointed tips of a spitzer bullet would touch the primer of the cartridge in front of it, possibly causing an accidental discharge. Another novel safety feature was a cocking indicator located on the top of the receiver. After some minor refinement to the design (the most obvious being a small "window" cut into the receiver to include a counter to indicate how many rounds are left in the magazine., the Model 99 was introduced in 1899, and would go on to become one of the most commercially successful rifles in the world; with more than 1 million produced between 1899 and 1997.
Savages design became a major contender in the 1896 Army Trials to replace the Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor rifle. Ultimately, the The Krag–Jørgensen was chosen over the Savage in the Army rifle trials, however Savage did win a contract to produce Savage Model 1895 rifles for the New York National Guard rifle, beating out the Winchester Model 1895 and several other rifles. Unfortunately for Savage, political controversy and the offer of free rifles from the US Army led to the cancellation of the contract, and the New York National Guard was therefore equipped with obsolete single-shot Trapdoor Springfield rifles during the Spanish–American War. Similarly, Savage's Model 1895 musket won a contract for arming the Mexican Army in 1897, but again had to cancel - this time due to lack of a factory to produce the rifles.
During World War I, the Montreal Home Guard was issued Model 1899 rifles in "musket" form, which incorporated a bayonet lug and military-style stock. While similar to the earlier catalogued 1899 military muskets, it has several differences and is thus known as the Montreal Home Guard Musket. The Montreal Home Guard contract was for a total of 2,500 rifles, though according to the Savage ledgers only 803 were delivered. These rifles were chambered in .303 Savage, as altering the design for the Canadian standard .303 British Mk VII cartridge would have resulted in an unacceptable delay in delivery. Guardsmen were responsible for purchasing their own rifles and had the option of having their names stamped on the stock. Many also chose to have their names engraved on the left side of the receiver.
Initially the Model 1899 was initially available only in .303 Savage, a similar cartridge to Winchester's .30-30 but usually loaded with heavier bullets of 185gr or 190gr. But in 1900 Savage added the 30-30 and in 1903 they added the 25-35, the 32-40, and 38-55. Charles Newton worked with Savage Arms to introduce the 22HP in 1912, the .250-3000 in 1915, and finally the .300 Savage in 1921. In 1956 the .243 Win, .308 Win and .358 Win were added, and later the .284 Win, .375 Win, .22-250 and 7mm 08 would also be added to the Model 99's myriad of chamberings.
This particular Savage 99 is a rare and desirable "takedown" model, meaning the barrel and forend can be removed without needing special tools to allow for ease of transportation or storage.
This iconic rifle is chambered in .303 Savage and in in great condition. It's serial number places its date of manufacture at 1915. It is all correct and original It features beautiful stocks with no damage cracks, chips, or real damage to speak of.
The Model 99 was famously smooth and well made, and this gun is no exemption. The action of the bolt is smooth and crisp. I have even test-fired this rifle and found it to be extremely reliable and accurate.
The magazine is intact and functional, and loads cartridges reliably with no jamming or other issues.
The metal has a nice honest patina with no rust or pitting.
The barrel is full length with a good bore. The rifling is nice with some minor "frost pitting" throughout. The front sight features a very cool period replaced blade made from a 1903 penny.
*This weapon was made after 1899 and MUST be shipped to Federal Firearms License holder for transfer. Never bought a gun through an FFL before? Give us a call at (262) 473-5444 and we'd be glad to walk you through this simple process.
