When it first came out at the tail end of the 19th century, the Savage Arms Model 99 was one of the most cutting-edge lever-action rifles ever made. Even today, it's easy to appreciate the design elements of this unique lever-action, of which more than 1 million were made. Watch our "American Rifleman Television" I Have This Old Gun segment above to hear the history of Arthur Savage's rifle.
"Arthur Savage was a really interesting guy. He had done a lot of things in his life. And it was clear that he had a mind for mechanics and a penchant for business," American Rifleman Executive Editor Evan Brune said. "So, in 1889, he patents a rotary magazine lever-action rifle. And he enters it into the 1892 Army trials. Ultimately, his design does not win out, but Arthur Savage doesn't give up there. He decides that there's a market for this new design of his, and he's gonna find it."
*****
I've got my Dad's Savage 99E, the plain Jane model, in .308 Winchester. He bought it in 1974 or 1975 and it was the very first centerfire rifle I ever fired. He passed it down to me about 20 years ago.
My father owns a 99c in 243Win (The C ditches the rotary magazine for a drop box magazine.) In our family it was always used as our "youth" rifle. It took many first deer for Myself, & nephews.
ReplyDeleteI've got my Grandpas Savage 99 Take Down 30/30 and it must be 100 years old. There's a box of shells in the case with it and it's ready to go hunting any time. Great rifle.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gun and I still kick myself for not buying one that was for sale .358 Win.
ReplyDeleteAt eleven I took my third deer, first one completely by myself, with a Model 99 chambered in 250 savage as I recall. I borrowed the gun from an old timer that lived across the road and down a piece from us. The deer was standing by our back fence line about a hundred sixty yards away. Wish I had that gun today. There's a whole story about that deer, Mr. Harvey and "shit for brains" that's too long to share here.
ReplyDeleteBrings back some fond memories.
wes
wtdb
Bought one in .300 Savage in '73, $200, a lot of money at the time. First shot, I pulled the forepiece off. A little adjustment and it was fine. Kept it a few years and then sold it along with a few others for something really stupid that eventually worked out for me. Anyway, just saw the same gun for sale in a local shop, $2,600. Still a lot of money. Suppose I should have kept it and taken my chances with the smarter and safer road. Maybe next time.
ReplyDeleteI duck hunt with a 1963 Stevens-Savage 12 gauge that was a Xmas present when I was 10. New firing pin, re-blued & stock stripped/re-coated last year.
ReplyDeleteMy younger grandson (13) bagged his 2nd deer (doe, w/ a 6-point last year) several weeks ago. He wanted a Bushnell 850 Laser Rangefinder, so he's getting one.
I've always been a duck & quail hunter; miss my Boykins. Our Maltipoos would be the WORST birddogs of all time. Can't handle freezing in a stand for 3+ hours, so no more deer.
One of my favorite rifles i have two. One in .300 Savage and the other in 22-250.
ReplyDeleteKlaus
Savage 99. The preferred weapon of Frank Harlan (Robet Duvall) in 'Joe Kidd'.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Joe_Kidd#Savage_99
He may have been a corrupt, murderous cull, but he had excellent taste in firearms.
Mines a '99 F (featherweight). Love it. Especially the little brass round counter on the left side of the receiver. I don't try much beyond 300 yards with my ol' steel tube Weaver but I ain't missed a deer/elk in 25 years. Good rifle, can recommend, 5 thumbs, 10 stars, would shoot again. ; )
ReplyDeleteI got 4 for $375 buying an abandoned storage unit
ReplyDeleteWould not want to sell one?
DeleteI own a pair of them. A 99T Carbine in .250 Savage and a later production 99A in .308 Winchester. Great rifles made for woods hunting.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad left me his #00 savage and it was stolen. Picked up a similar Model 99 at "The Shootist" in Temecula. Owner collects them and has quite a selection. I was on a deer hunt a few years ago in Texas and had Ted Nugent sign the stock. It's a keeper....
ReplyDeleteI have an old gun too. A 1848 Springfield
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather used one with a silencer to poach rabbits during the depression. Went to someone else in the family.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thor
I've got the exact same model, the 99E. Also passed down to me by my father, purchased in the early 70's. It's still a very accurate, reliable weapon. Hang on to it.....
ReplyDeleteMy father in law gave me his about 15 years ago, an early 60's, 308, 99F, carried a lot, shot a little (honest cosmetic wear). That and my 1943 Husqvarna, 6.5, Swedish Mauser, M38 carbine, are my all time faves.
ReplyDeleteMy wife inherited one in 300 savage from her dad. One of the only things her dad left her. Nice shooter, but the ammo was hard to come by. Few years later, her son with a drug problem pawned it. So much for his legacy...
ReplyDelete