Model 99 30-30 Take Down

[Camper]

Hello all, I have a neigbour that is trying to find out some info on his 99 30-30 take down. he brought it over last night and he asked me if I could find out date of manufacture and any other pertinant info on this rifle. I will try and get pics up for a value in the next day or two.
Description is as follows.

Model 99 30-30 takedown

Serial # 2694##

Base of the Lever just past hinge on receiver is a letter K
stamped on as well as behind the butt plate.

Butt Plate is steel with Savage logo Quality stamp and pic

Counter on receiver bottom of the left side (I think it was the left side but not 100%)

Lots of writing on barrel
Pat Pend
Manufactured by Savage arms Utica Ny USA July 25th 1892, Oct 3 1899, Sept 10th, 1907, May 25th, 1905, June 11th, 1909

20 inch barrel drilled and tapped of tang sight

I have never heard of a 99 K, is this the model or is this a F?

Date of Manufacture

Is the 30-30 more or less rare in the takedowns?

Thank you in advance , this neigbour of mine is a real decent man and has little knowledge of 99s, he bought it back in the late 50's or early 60s and shot his first deer with it. he just about sold this gun and, a BPS shot gun with a deer slayer barrel and two single shot shot guns for $500 to a local gun store. He didn't feel the price was fair so decided against it and when talking with me found the he might have a nice collectable 99!

[Ron T.]

Yes... it could be a Model F "Lightweight" take-down model... and the the serial number indicates it was probably made in 1924. 

I say "probably made in 1924" because Savage's records are not always reliable... some rifles were taken off the assembly line and set aside for unknown reasons, then a year of more later, shipped out to a dealer or individual thus making the serial numbers seem NOT to match the factory shipping dates which are usually assumed to be in the same year as when the rifle was manufactured.

I.E., with Savage, NOTHING is "for sure" when it comes to records and dates.

As concerns the rifle's model, it is probably either a Model F (introduced in 1920, discontinued in 1940) with a straight stock, no pistol grip or checkering... or a Model G Deluxe Take-Down (introduced in 1922, discontinued at the end of 1941) with a pistol grip stock with checkering and a schnoble tipped forearm.

Both models were made in .30-30 caliber and were common with 20-inch as well as 22 & 24 inch barrels in other calibers.

As concerns the writing on the barrel of your friend's rifle, it is "Style #4" and is correct for either model except that the first date should read "July 25, 1893", not "1892".  I assume the year was copied wrong or it may be difficult to read.

If this rifle had not tampered with (neither rifle model was drilled & tapped for a tang sight until 1935)... and was in "factory original" condition, it may have been highly valuable (up to $1500 or more depending on the condition of the rifle and the buyer), but even with the tang sight, it may still have definite "collector's value" and definitely has hunter/shooter's value depending on its overall condition since it is a highly desirable little rifle in a popular caliber for deer.

I hope this helps you and your friend determine the correct model.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.