Savage Model 1899 in Savage 30

I

iraengineer

Inactive
Hi Everyone,
I recently got this rifle from an old lady friend who said it belonged to her father. It is a model 1899 Savage and I believe the barrel says Savage 30, not 300, 303, or 308. She gave me a coffee can with ammunition in it, but no 300 or 303 savage only 22 savage hi-power. What caliber is it?

It doesn't appear to have a cocking indicator like my other savage (99C), but does have a lever safety and a cartidge indicator on the left.

Any thoughts or information would be greatly appreciated from the forum. Where does one get a factory letter, there is nothing on Savage's web site?

Thanks!! :)
 
Going to need to see some pictures and know how many digits are in the serial number, and the first several digits of the number.

I know of no 99s that were ever marked with just a .30, so that's either indicative of wear, or something else.

If it's marked 1899, then it's not a .300 Savage, as the designation was changed just prior to the .300 being introduced.

When you look at the muzzle, about how big is the hole in it? .22 caliber? .30 caliber?
 
There is no .30 Savage.

To the best of my knowledge, the Savage 1899 was only offered in 22 High Power, 303 Savage, 250-3000, 25-35 WCF, and 30 WCF (30-30 Winchester). I have seen one in 38-55, but I have no way of knowing whether or not it was original. After the name change to "Model 99" about 1920, there were other cartridges offered, most notably the 300 Savage, and after the frame change about 1950-ish there were a whole slew of cartridge offerings based on the 308 Win family of cartridges (22-250, 243, 308, 358 Win) and in the late 1970s a 375 Winchester version was offered.

So which one do you have? If your receiver says Savage Model 99, it is most likely a 300 Savage, if it says Model 1899, it is most likely a 303 Savage (30-30 barrels were marked .30-30 W). Look at the top of the receiver ring to see which one you have.
 
I think I figured how to attach a photo to this post. I did get it out and was able to photograph Sav 30, and in the barrel address it does say Cal 30. Barrel Address is:

~Savage Arms Co. Utica NY USA~
~Pat. Feb 7 '93 July 25 '93 Oct 3 '99 CAL 30~

There is no model on the receiver ring, and it is a 5 digit serial number 17.xxx.
Brass shell counter, crescent buttplate.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0016.jpg
    IMG_0016.jpg
    234.8 KB · Views: 213
Early savage 1899's in 30wcf were marked sav. 30 so it should be a 30-30.The cocking indicator is on the top of the bolt.
 
Oh man, a 30-30 would be sweet. You should have no problems finding ammo if that's the case! No pun intended! :D
 
SN 17xxx dates from 1901.

AFAIK, .303 Savage was the only .30 cal Model 1899 chambering, until 1902, when the .30-30 was introduced.

I would opine that the OP's Model 1899 never left Utica that way.

.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everybody for the info so far.

Where does one go to find out more information on it?

I know you can write the Buffalo Bill museum about Winchesters is there a place to go for Savages? I looked all over the Savage Arms website but they don't say to much about 99s.
 
"I have seen one in 38-55, but I have no way of knowing whether or not it was original."

Yes. .38-55 was an early factory chambering, as was the .32-40.
 
I'll be a son of a gun.

Doug Murray's book on the Savage 99 shows those exact barrel markings in use up to 1904, including the "Cal. .30"

This apparently was the early factory designation for the .30-30 Winchester.


"AFAIK, .303 Savage was the only .30 cal Model 1899 chambering, until 1902, when the .30-30 was introduced."

The .30-30 was first offered in a variety of Model 1899s in either late 1899 or early 1900.
 
When did the term ".30-30" begin to be used? Wasn't the early term ".30 WCF?" Or am I confusing it with the .38-40, .44-40 and .32-20 as far as the original designations. Some manufacturers are reluctant to ever put some other maker's name on a gun, which is why .40 S&W is usually called .40 auto. Apparently such was the case a hundred years ago, too.
 
Looking at early advertising, .30-30 was used VERY early on, probably as early as 1900-1905.

Winchester didn't start using the term until much later, though.

And yes, the .30-30 was originally the .30 WCF.

All those other cartridges (and QUITE a few more) were all "WCF" rounds, as well.

Many of them are now obsolete.
 
A whole bunch of 99's were sent back to the factory for modification and repair over the years. Also there were what we call piecer's, left over model parts added to new models. I never put much faith in Exact cut -off dates for manufacture.
 
Although I can find nothing definitive, .30-30 seems to have been dropped with production of the 99 on US entry into World War II and wasn't resumed after the war.

So, the .30-30 was in production as a standard chambering for about 40 years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top