Near Mint 1904 Savage Arms Company Model 1899-A Standard .38-55 WCF 26" Lever Action Rifle
Our Assessment: The Savage 1899/99 model rifles have quite a history. They were preceded by the Model 1895, which was the first hammerless lever-action rifle produced. A hammerless action was useful as it reduces the lock time, allows the rifle to be fired more accurately and is less likely to jam in brush or snag in clothing. The 1895 and 1899/99 models used a rotary magazine to hold the cartridges, using a spring-loaded spool with grooves. The 1899/99 models added a counter to the spool to indicate how many rounds are loaded. This design allowed the use of spitzer bullets, which could not be used in the Winchester rifles of the times because the pointed tips in the tubular magazines could cause accidental discharge. This gave Savage a lead in producing rifles that could handle high velocity smokeless powder cartridges with bullets offering flatter trajectories than other lever-action designs. This an early Model 1899 with a smooth straight grip stock and a Schnabel tipped forend. The rifle has a 26" barrel and comes with iron sights, with its upper tang drilled, tapped and filled for an aperture tang sight. This rifle is in great condition for its age and has a bright bore with sharp rifling. This easily one of the nicest Savage 1899/99 rifles we have ever had the pleasure of seeing. This will be a welcome addition to just about any C&R or lever action rifle collection! Please see our photos and good luck!
Make: Savage Arms Company
Model: 1899-A Standard Rifle
Serial Number: 52.989
Year of Manufacture: 1904
Caliber: .38-55 WCF
Action Type: Lever Action with Rotary Magazine
Barrel Length: 26"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade in a slotted base dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a "V" notched semi-buckhorn elevator sight dovetailed into the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped, and filled.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are smooth walnut with a straight grip, straight comb, schnabel tip forend, and a crescent metal buttplate. There is a small crack on the left side of the buttstock at the rear up at the heel and there is another crack on the right side at the plate. There are some scuffs, draglines, and some marks through the finish. Some of the most noticeable wear is on the left side of the buttstock at the rear, top of the wrist to the right of the tang, and on the left of the wrist at the receiver. The forend screw is tight but the forend has some light downward play. The LOP is 13" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some finish loss around the edges and some scattered little hairline scratches and scattered oxidation. The stocks rate in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blued with Case Color Lever
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling, there is no erosion. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 88% of its metal finish. There is some thinning on the edges. There are some nicks and scratches on the receiver, with a few spots of finish loss. There are some spots of frost on the receiver with a few heavier spots of oxidation on the top tang. There is some finish loss on the lever with some scattered spots of oxidation. The barrel has a few faint marks into the finish, most noticeable on the bottom. The barrel has a few spots of infrequent oxidation. There are some scabs on the barrel, most noticeable on the right side at the front. There are some spots of dark discoloration from previous oxidation on the bolt. The screwheads are sharp. The markings are mostly clear, the patents are uneven and the caliber marking is shallow, we think the dies were worn. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Included is a Cody Firearms Museum letter.
CA LEGAL: C&R: YES, CA PPT: NO
RIFLE