Price and Date on 99C

[Dee]

I have found a Savage Model 99C in 308 for $350.00. Serial#1169933 in 98% condition. Not restored! Is it worth the price and anyone know when it was made.
HELP! :?

[EVOC ONE]

Last years edition of Gun Trader show the following:

Mod 99C:  Same as Mod 99F except with clip magazine instead of rotary.

Calibers: .243 Win, .284 Win, .308 Win.  Four shot detachable Magazine.

Made 1965 to date

Value: NIB $995   EX $900  GD $300

Keep in mind, this is taken from last years book.

Havn't found anything about the Ser#, yet

If you don't want it, please PM me with the info., if you would.

Hope this helps.

EVOC ONE

[savageT]

I have found a Savage Model 99C in 308 for $350.00. Serial#1169933 in 98% condition. Not restored! Is it worth the price and anyone know when it was made.
HELP! :?

Dee,
If you check on the lever boss (just in front of the lever hinge) you should find a stamped letter.  Tell us what that letter is. to get a date of mfg.

As to the price...you did very well.  Prices are escalating as we speak.
Jim

[Dave Shooter]

Last years edition of Gun Trader show the following:

Mod 99C:  Same as Mod 99F except with clip magazine instead of rotary.

Calibers: .243 Win, .284 Win, .308 Win.  Four shot detachable Magazine.

Made 1965 to date

Value: NIB $995   EX $900  GD $300

Keep in mind, this is taken from last years book.

Havn't found anything about the Ser#, yet

If you don't want it, please PM me with the info., if you would.

Hope this helps.

EVOC ONE

Hi I was looking at the 26th edition of the blue book at a dealers shop it list a 99c new in box at $500.00 $ 450.00 in 98% another dealer has mine I traded a couple yrs ago his asking price is $899.00 He is out of his mind. I payed $585.00 back in 96 for the rifle at a gun show. Don't take me wrong I know the 99's aren't made any more but 900.00 is toooo much.
Dave Shooter

[Ron T.]

According to my records, I believe the year of manufacture of your Model 99C to be 1967 or maybe 1968.  The corresponding Lever Boss Code would be a "U" if your rifle was made in 1967 or a "V" if your rifle was made in 1968.

The surest method of determing the age of a Model 99 built from 1949 until 1970 is by the "Lever Boss Code".

In 1949, Savage began stamping a tiny, lightly impressed oval on the lower, front side of the "lever boss". Inside the oval, Savage stamped the inspector’s number followed by the letter "A". This is called the "Lever Boss Code" and the letter indicates the year the rifle was manufactured.

The “lever boss” is the extension of the lower, front part of the receiver into which the lever fits and rotates.

In 1950, the letter "B" was substituted for the letter “A”.  In 1951, the letter "C" was substituted for the letter “B”, etc., etc.  If Inspector #8 inspected a new rifle made in 1954, the "Lever Boss Code" inside the oval would look like this:  8 F

On many Model 99 rifles, this “oval” is indistinct or very difficult to see as are the letters and inspector’s numbers inside the oval.

The letters “O” and “Q” were skipped and not used due to their similar appearance.

As concerns the rifle, most of those who know about such things tend to feel the quality of the Model 99s was best prior to those rifles with less than a 1,000,000 serial number... or as they are often called, a "pre-one million serial number.  

Your rifle is a "post-1,000,000"... however, $350 is a very low price for any Model 99 considering it is a much sought after .308 Winchester caliber.  

I'd snatch it up ASAP before someone else gets it... and I wouldn't quibble about the cost... it's at least a $500-$550 rifle at the minimum... especially in "98% condition"!


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[EVOC ONE]

Hello Dave shooter.

From a laymans point of view, I have to agree.  I'm sure there are specific versions of Mod 99's that a committed collector would pay that kind of price for, but I'm not in that catagory.

I saw a used Mod 99 this weekend with a price tag of $899.  It was not abused, just old and nicely aged.  Would have looked nice in the cabinet.  I didn't ask to have it taken off the rack.

EVOC ONE

[Ron T.]

I am a member of another forum at another site which is dedicated to "Savage Collectors"... and I can assure you that the vast majority of "Collectors" would not want a "C" model.

They are only interested in the older models which tend to be of higher quality.  It must also be noted that a true "collector" is ONLY interested in a Model 99 that has NOT been modified in ANY way.  They even refuse a rifle that has been drilled & tapped by a highly qualified gunsmith because it is not a "factory" modification.

The "value" of any Model 99 (to them) is based on rarity and, of course, CONDITION!!!

I've seen older models in a rare caliber bring $1500 or more if in excellent condition.  The highest price I've ever seen paid was over $2000 for a new-in-the-box rare model & caliber of the Model 99.

I really appreciate the fine workmanship found in the Savage Model 99, but I'm a hunter/shooter... not a "collector", so naturally, those kinds of prices are out of my "league" and I wouldn't pay that much for ANY Model 99, but those who are serious collectors would easily pay $800 to $1500 for a truly RARE model/caliber.  However, you'll rarely find them even bothering to look at a Model 99 that has a clip rather than a rotary magazine.  

To me, that's an outrageous amount of money to pay for an old rifle, even if it is in great condition.  Buttttttttt... "different strokes for different folks", I guess. :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

The Model 99 has become a highly-sought-after rifle in the past few years or so... and they ain't makin' 'em anymore, so if you want a Model 99, the faster you obtain one, the lower the price is going to be.

In general, any Model 99 made AFTER 1960 when Savage moved their manufacturing facilities from Chicopee Fall, Mass. to Westfield, Mass (serial numbers greater than 1 million) are not worth as much as earlier models manufactured prior to the move.  Of course, there are exceptions to that "rule", but not very often.

My children and my bestest hunting buddy split the cost ($425) of my birthday gift... a 1953 Model 99 "EG" in 98% condition... that came out of a man's collection after he passed away.  The rifle, at that time, seemed as if it had never been fired.  The man's best friend was at a regional gun show selling the guns for his late-friend's widow.  

Today (several years later) the same rifle would probably sell for $700 to $750 (or more) even though it wasn't "original", as far as a "collector" would have been concerned... it had been drilled and tapped by an excellent gunsmith for a 3x-9x variable scope which was mounted on it when I received it.  Had it been "original" and not D & T'd, a collector might have paid a lot more for it due to it's apparent lack of being fired.  

I hope I've given you a "thumbnail" of how true "collectors" think and how they determine what is worth having and what doesn't interest them.  I also hope you now have a better idea of why the price on a "C" model is so much lower than the price about be on an older Model 99 rifle in the same condition.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[Dave Shooter]

I am a member of another forum at another site which is dedicated to "Savage Collectors"... and I can assure you that the vast majority of "Collectors" would not want a "C" model.

They are only interested in the older models which tend to be of higher quality.  It must also be noted that a true "collector" is ONLY interested in a Model 99 that has NOT been modified in ANY way.  They even refuse a rifle that has been drilled & tapped by a highly qualified gunsmith because it is not a "factory" modification.

The "value" of any Model 99 (to them) is based on rarity and, of course, CONDITION!!!

I've seen older models in a rare caliber bring $1500 or more if in excellent condition.  The highest price I've ever seen paid was over $2000 for a new-in-the-box rare model & caliber of the Model 99.

I really appreciate the fine workmanship found in the Savage Model 99, but I'm a hunter/shooter... not a "collector", so naturally, those kinds of prices are out of my "league" and I wouldn't pay that much for ANY Model 99, but those who are serious collectors would easily pay $800 to $1500 for a truly RARE model/caliber.  However, you'll rarely find them even bothering to look at a Model 99 that has a clip rather than a rotary magazine.  

To me, that's an outrageous amount of money to pay for an old rifle, even if it is in great condition.  Buttttttttt... "different strokes for different folks", I guess. :shock:  :shock:  :shock:

The Model 99 has become a highly-sought-after rifle in the past few years or so... and they ain't makin' 'em anymore, so if you want a Model 99, the faster you obtain one, the lower the price is going to be.

In general, any Model 99 made AFTER 1960 when Savage moved their manufacturing facilities from Chicopee Fall, Mass. to Westfield, Mass (serial numbers greater than 1 million) are not worth as much as earlier models manufactured prior to the move.  Of course, there are exceptions to that "rule", but not very often.

My children and my bestest hunting buddy split the cost ($425) of my birthday gift... a 1953 Model 99 "EG" in 98% condition... that came out of a man's collection after he passed away.  The rifle, at that time, seemed as if it had never been fired.  The man's best friend was at a regional gun show selling the guns for his late-friend's widow.  

Today (several years later) the same rifle would probably sell for $700 to $750 (or more) even though it wasn't "original", as far as a "collector" would have been concerned... it had been drilled and tapped by an excellent gunsmith for a 3x-9x variable scope which was mounted on it when I received it.  Had it been "original" and not D & T'd, a collector might have paid a lot more for it due to it's apparent lack of being fired.  

I hope I've given you a "thumbnail" of how true "collectors" think and how they determine what is worth having and what doesn't interest them.  I also hope you now have a better idea of why the price on a "C" model is so much lower than the price about be on an older Model 99 rifle in the same condition.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

Hi Ron T and Evoc One, I agree whole heartdly with the both of you in reguards to the prices on the mod 99 savage as well as mod of the 99. Whats so funny I  fell in love with the 99 after I watched the movie Death Hunt with Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson.What a movie as well as being based on a true story.
Dave Shooter  PS I am also a hunter that dose but dosen't collect another words I like to use the guns I have. My uncle God rest his soul use to say do you wanna a show gun or a hunt'in gun.

[EVOC ONE]

Ron T.  Appreciate the info. I would like to have a Mod 99 but there have been so many variations, that its difficult to remember which is which.  You have simplified if for me:  Mfgr date; Serial number range; Drilled/Tapped or not; Rotary Mag or box.  For a "non-collector" just desiring a shooter in decent shape, this is good info.

Dave:  "Death Hunt". Good movie. I've seen it several times.  Nice detail regarding weapons and unusual (from a typical movie point of view) survival techniques and skill.

EVOC ONE

[Dave in VA]

I recently got the 99 bug, picked up a low 500K serial# 99 EG about 90% condition at an auction for $400.  Love it.  It shoots great but it's a "wood rat" (somebody put a recoil pad on it).  Other than that, all good. I love it   Just like the one an old mentor who taught me how to hunt used to shoot. Can't what for November.

[Ron T.]

Dave in VA

You got a very good deal on your 90% "EG".  Below are the last serial numbered rifles made in the indicated year.  Perhaps you can determine when your rifle was made:
1948 494,000
1949 528,000
1950 566,000

:wink:


Strength & Honor
Ron T.

[Yellow Lab]

I have a 99C that has the serial number D657xxx. Caliber .308. Detachable magazine. 22" barrel. I cannot locate the circle on the lever boss. I am going to find a magnifying glass to check again. Barrel says SAVAGE ARMS WESTFIELD MASS. U.S.A.

I have not read anything about having a "D" in the beginning of the serial number. Please help!

Thanks.

Duke

[Ron T.]

Duke........

Your rifle has no Lever Boss Code.   Savage stopped using Lever Boss Codes in 1970... and your rifle was manufactured in either late 1980 or early 1981 when Savage was making their "D" letter series rifles.

Savage began using the "letter series" ("A" through "G")... I.E.,  a letter in front of their serial numbers... in 1969, beginning with the letter "A" plus the rifle's serial number in January of 1969 and ending with the letter "G" plus a serial number in 2002.

There didn't seem to be any "time schedule" to how many years any letter was used.  As an example, Savage used the letter "A" in front of their serial numbers for four years, 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1972.  Yet, they used the letter "F" at the beginning of their Model 99s serial numbers for over 11 years.

As you can see, Savage was very erratic with the "systems" they used.  Often, they would pull a rifle off the final assembly line and set it aside for later use which would throw that rifle's serial number completely out of sequence and into another model year.

As an example, I found one Model 99 #7805xx with a Lever Boss Code of the letter "I" indicating a 1957 year of manufacture.  Yet, that serial number (7805xx) series normally had letter "G" Lever Boss Code which would indicate a 1955 manufacturing year.  I even found 900,000 series serial numbers in late 1955 and 1956, yet here in 1957 was a rifle with an 780,000 series serial number.

Go figure, eh?

Savage moved their manufacturing facilities from Chicopee Fall, Mass. to Westfield, Mass. (still their current location) in 1960.  There is a general feeling among those who "know" that the best quality Model 99s were made PRIOR to the move from Chicopee Falls and that Model 99s with serial numbers of 1,000,000 or less were of better quality than the Model 99s that followed.

In addition, it is generally accepted that any Model 99 with the rotary magazine is of superior quality to any Model 99 with a box magazine.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[Yellow Lab]

Ron T,

Thanks for the response. I wanted a 99 and a friend of mine's father was selling his firearms. I like the style regardless of the rotary mag versus the detachable. I want to hunt with it so I am a happy camper. Great site. Thanks again.

Duke

[Ron T.]

Duke...

Your 99 is still a fine rifle, regardless of having a detachable magazine, so use it well.  As long as you're happy and satisfied with it, no one else has any right to complain. 


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.