The Savage Model "E" ("Economy") model was introduced in 1960 and discontinued in 1984. Your Model 99 E was made in mid-to-late 1967 in Westfield, Mass.
It was called Savage's "Economy" model because it didn't have the cartridge counter on the left side of the receiver or an end cap on the pistol grip as did other Model 99s. Prior to 1966, the 99E had no checkering either. Impressed checkering was added in 1966.
Other than the differences noted above, your rifle is of the same high quality as other Model 99s made
after Savage moved from Chicopee Falls, Mass. to Westfield, Mass. in 1960.
Many experts & Savage collectors feel that the finest quality Model 99s, often called "pre-mils" (for "pre-one million serial numbers") made up to 1960, were of higher quality than the "post-mil" Model 99s made after Savage moved it's manufacturing operations from Chicopee Falls to Westfield.
That said, your "E" Model is an excellent "woods" rifle for eastern hunting and the finest quality lever-action rifle made. It's rotary magazine allows you to use "spitzer" (pointed) bullets for better down-range performance and a higher ballistic coefficient.
You didn't mention the caliber of your rifle... but if it is a .300 Savage, it is capable of taking any game found in North American with the exception of the 'big bears". Certainly, black bear, elk and moose can be taken with the .300 Savage within reasonable ranges (150 yards or less).
With a 125/130 grain bullet, .308 Winchester cartridge shoots flat enough to be a decent antelope rifle. With the 125/130 or the more popular 150 grain bullet, it makes an excellent and perhaps the ultimate deer rifle out to 250 yards or so while the 165-180 grain bullet can effectively be used for black bear, elk and moose without the bullet's length intruding too far into the powder chamber thus limiting the amount of powder space available.
Model 99s have always been accurate rifles, especially compared to other lever-action rifles. The Savage Model 99 will, in fact, rival many bolt-action rifles for accuracy. It is not uncommon for Model 99 rifles to be capable of shooting 3-shot groups of less than 1 minute of angle (1 inch at 100 yards).
The web site you mentioned only includes rifles made prior to, I believe, 1950. It doesn't indicate the age of Model 99s made after that date.
The most accurate method of determining the year of manufacture of Model 99 rifles made from 1949 to 1971 is by using what is called the "
Lever Boss Code"... which is an even more accurate indicator of the year of manufacture than the rifle's serial number.
Savage began stamping an inspector's number and a letter in a poorly (and very faintly) stamped oval on the lever boss (the extension on the lower, front side of the receiver in which the lever rotates) in 1949. This is what is called the “Lever Boss Code”.
Savage continued to use Lever Boss Code numbers & letters until 1971. The letters "O" and "Q" were skipped and not used in the Code series due to their similarity.
The number was the inspector's number plus the letter indicating the year of manufacture... ("A" was used in 1949, "B" in 1950, "C" in 1951 and so forth)... and so, if a rifle were made in 1967 & inspected by Inspector #12, it would have a Lever Boss Code that looked like this (inside the oval):
12 U Enjoy your Grandfather's (and now, "your") Savage Model 99... it will serve you well for hunting most North American game.
Strength & Honor...
Ron T.
