Seeking Assistance - Several Savage 99 Questions

Good Morning:

I recently acquired a Savage 99 online, and am currently evaluating the rifle. It is a good looker! I have several questions and respectfully seek guidance to help me make a final decision regarding the firearm. I am seeking your thoughts about the following:

• How to determine the specific Model of this Savage 99? (I.e., A, C, EG, F, etc.)
• Source of feed problems
• S/N match on Stock, Forearm, Butt Plate, and Barrel

Model #:
I was able to confirm year of Mfg from the website: https://savagelevers.com/serial-number-search/. S/N 632636 returned 1952. Unfortunately I don’t know how to confirm the specific Model #.


Feed Problems:
I purchased a set of 5-dummy rounds and am experiencing: 1) intermittent cartridge jams and; 2) occasionally poor lock-up. (Photos provided)

Since this is my first experience with a Savage 99, I took the rifle to a local gun shop to get the owner’s opinion. He noticed there was oil oozing from the counter window, and suggested the receiver appeared to be over oiled which may be affecting the feeding.
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FTN...usp=share_link[/img]

He inserted 2-dummy rounds in the magazine which chambered and ejected properly. He said you have to operate the lever quickly and with force. He asked if I was operating the lever quickly or slowly (gently). Well… I was operating the lever more slowly and gently - maybe operator error.
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/12bN...usp=share_link[/img]
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uee...usp=share_link[/img]
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bHb...usp=share_link[/img]

Any thoughts as to the cause of the feeding issues?


S/N Match:
I understood that to confirm all components are original, the S/N stamped on the stock, butt plate, forearm, and barrel would all be identical. In this case, the number stamped on the stock, butt plate, and forearm is “1700”. (Photos provided). The S/N on the barrel is “632636”. What does this mean?
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nn9...usp=share_link[/img]
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/154p...usp=share_link[/img]
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gg0...usp=share_link[/img]
[img]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kAI...usp=share_link[/img]

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Regarding feeding problems, your Gunsmith is correct. Operate the lever like you’re angry.

Thanks Model 24! I am angry!

Savage only offered 99 in 2 models in the early 50s. The R had a heavy forearm (wider than the receiver) and a rounded tip. The EG had a thin forearm with a scnhabel tip.
Your feeding problem looks like your cartridge is to far forward and the extractor doesn't grab the rim of the cartridge, instead it pushes the case off to the side. Make sure you push down and back as you load the mag. Short racking can cause the same issue.
In the 50's Savage started using assembly codes instead of serial # on the stock, but-plate and forearms.
Hope this helps.

Thank you Polecat! Very helpful. Looks like Zi have the EG.
With respect to the misdeed - as others have indicated, I think it’s operator error… Don’t think I was operating the lever with enough speed/force.

I currently have the rifle apart and will be creating a new post seeking comments pertaining to the carrier assembly from this same gun. It has a split or notch carrier body in which in this case the carrier spring tail is retained. I was informed that the spring tail fit in a retaining hole at the end of the carrier. Interested to see if anyone has seen this before.

Thanks again for your response!