Savage 99 F serial number 1085454

I'm brand new to this forum but I have owned several hundred 99's since the mid 80's. I recently picked up a 99F in 284 caliber that is quite a bit different than most of my F's. To start with it shows no indication of ever having a front site. The rear dove tail looks like it was filled in at the factory and can barely be seen. Does not have the boss barrel. The receiver is stamped "99F" on the left side instead of the barrel carrying the "99F" designation. It does have the Damascus breach. The wood is non-checkered. The forearm is carrying the last 4 digits of the serial number. It has a Monte Carlos stock with white line pad. Everything looks to be factory. The barrel is stamped, "Westfield, Massachusetts, USA".
Does anyone have any ideas? Could this have been a special order?

Welcome. Guess you like those 99F’s, eh?

Does your rifle receiver look like this Winchester 1873?https://www.hallowellco.com/73-dlx-right-close-sm.jpg


Or this?
https://www.yankodesign.com/images/d...damascus_2.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Hoback

Welcome. Guess you like those 99F’s, eh?

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Yes, I do!

No, it doesn't have the Damascus or case hardened.

Careful confusing people Rob… LOL! The first picture of the Rifle, is an example of Color Case Hardening. A method of Heat Treatment. The 2nd picture of the hatchet, is Pattern Welded steel. A forging technique of different metals. Typically one being high Nickel content like 15N20. Although commonly called “Damascus”, it absolutely is NOT true Damascus in any way, shape or form. People love it for the look & sake of ignorance, but in the world of cutlery, it’s JUNK! Many blade “smiffs” have been peddling the crap at premium prices for many, many decades!

Rob, You mentioned this in the orginal post. " It does have the Damascus breach. " What was the inteneded meaning?

Dave, I have seen some very good "Fake Demascus"

Welcome to the forums.

Think we've got a terminology issue going on here.

Best I can tell (and the OP can correct me if I'm wrong), the reference to the damascus breech would be for the bolt itself which were often jeweled from the factory.

Going to move this down to the Vintage board where it will get a little more attention from the more knowledgeable collectors.

Your rifle sounds as though it dates to early 1965. They were making the 284 in the 99C, 99DL and 99F models that year. The 99F on the left side of the receiver isn't unusual for the mid to late 60's, I wouldn't be surprised if it was there in 1965.

The 99's in 284 never had a rear sight barrel boss. Other chamberings did.

The jewelled bolt is factory.

An uncheckered, monte carlo stock doesn't fit, and white line spacers were a late 1970's thing on 99 stocks. And they didn't stamp serial numbers on stocks any more at that time, just assembly codes.
I would guess you might have an aftermarket stock on it, or maybe a 99DL stock that's had the checkering sanded off put on it. Pictures might tell more, but there were no factory monte carlo stocks made without checkering so I wouldn't get your hopes up.