Savage Model 99 question
Ran across a Savage model 99 the other day, had a 1903 springfield barrel (ordnance bomb and 3-18 very visible) that had been recontoured and fitted to it, I am presuming to utilize the 308 bore diameter. No caliber marking, marbles rear sight, scope mount holes had been filled with screws and blended/polished (before bluing) for contour. Forend wood appeared modified so as to allow a "in front" grasp (thinking longer armed shooter) instead of the more schnabel (sp?) like forend I see more common(?) in google searches.
Anyone know of possible 'smiths that had repute for doing this with these arms? Was an arm that was found back of a closet by a relation not interested in it, and guessing by the rest of backstory, and other details my eye picked up on, this was rebarreled many moons ago. Any help appreciated. Thanks much.
Anyone know of possible 'smiths that had repute for doing this with these arms? Was an arm that was found back of a closet by a relation not interested in it, and guessing by the rest of backstory, and other details my eye picked up on, this was rebarreled many moons ago. Any help appreciated. Thanks much.
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Could have been anybody, famous folks would have usually signed their work. I put a 3-43 Springfield barrel on my circa 1912 Newton rifle to replace a shot out 256 Newton tube.
A chamber cast is a good idea for unknown work.
added https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.303_Savage0 -
+1, Charlie's post. Regarding the Chamber casting.
With the amount and quality of the work, you describe. It's quite possible the internal rotary magazine. Has been altered/replaced for a custom/wildcat cartridge, also.0 -
While a chamber cast is the smart way to go, it is hard to imagine rebarreling to any .30 except a .300 Savage. But it MIGHT be a .30-30 or .303 Savage. It MIGHT MAYBE be a wildcat. A careful man with a lathe could set an '03 barrel back to generate a .30-06 Short that would just fit the 99 action length. No need for expensive reamers.
What is the serial number?0 -
I agree and will be doing chamber cast if owner asks me to. Serial was 21XXX area. With the known vintages, was wondering if some past up n coming 'smith might have made a rep for himself in some corner niche of the world. Fit n finish although not remarkable, were pretty well done. I've never run across something like this before, and knowing rcbs had options for different expander ball for can't remember which savage round from back then, ON TOP of the rising popularity of actual 308 dia projectiles, coupled with the attitude towards reloading back then- all made for an intriguing find to examine. Will be going back for a complete strip down in near future, for sure. Neat old stuff just seems to keep finding my path (:
I didn't take a measure, but it does appear the old 06 chamber in entirety was removed, and visually overall length of current barrel backs that up. Also I can see shoulder not overly far from receiver, suggesting a 308 length family size cartridge, approximately.0 -
Made in 1900 - 1902 depending where in the 21 thou range and which table you go by. That means it was probably a .303 Savage or maybe one of the WCFs from 25-35 to .38-55.
There seems to have been a pretty good cottage industry upgrading these to .250 and .300 Savage.
.308 wouldn't fit the magazine and action length.0 -
Yes, hence why I was feeling maybe someone was thinking with foresight, back then, and was maybe loading the 303 Sav with 308 dia projectiles as a "wildcat" and put the '03 barrel on it. But, obviously, won't know for sure til I get a cast. Thanks much all, much appreciated. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 308plinkerVT
Yes, hence why I was feeling maybe someone was thinking with foresight, back then, and was maybe loading the 303 Sav with 308 dia projectiles as a "wildcat" and put the '03 barrel on it. But, obviously, won't know for sure til I get a cast. Thanks much all, much appreciated.
If I'm not mistaken. The 303 Savage was originally loaded, with a .308 bullet from the factory. Lot of folks tend to get confused, with the larger diameter .303 British military cartridge.0 -
I purchased a Savage 1899 years ago and from the serial number it was made about 1929. It too had a 1903 springfield barrel attached to the reciever. I was in a 30-30 winchester cal. barrel was dated and US Ordnance stamp Still had the original O3 front sight but blade was filed down. FYI I purchased the rifle in the 80's from a old gunsmith when I lived in Utica NY. I replaced the barrel years later with a 303 savage barrel and I think I still have it. 0 -
Cartridges of the World #11 States the belief is .303 Savage had used the .308 diameter, but modern SAAMI specs are for the .311 diameter bullets.... and Barnes said in his book he checked "3 lots of 2 makes" of WWII era .303 Savage ammo and found some bullets miked at .308 and some at .310..so honestly it's a crap shoot regarding the bullet diameter in .303 Savage ammo (Not that we see very much of it anyway!).
Because they're very similar in size and shape it just may have been rechambered to the more common .30-30...but without a chamber cast and a good once over from a good gunsmith who knows what the chambering may be.0 -
A friend has a 99 that used to be a takedown but now has a replacement barrel screwed in tight. The foreend latch is still there and you can take it off, but the barrel will not budge. 0
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