I bought my 99 about 20 years ago from an old timer who was retiring from hunting. 308win, rotary block, trigger guard safety, the shell counter looks to be brass. The serial # is 908926. I love the gun and have had many great hunts with it. I'm interested in it's history. This seems like the best site to get help. You all seem to love your 99's.
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You're going to need some more information to get an accurate idea of what you have there. 22" barrel 99F in 308 is the lightweight rifle, pretty common. Wonderful version to hunt with, pre-drilled for scope mounts, hollowed out buttstock and featherweight barrel with a rear sight boss for lighter weight. Or could be an R with a heavy and wide forearm or an EG with the schnable forearm, both not common.
Thanks a lot for your info, my rifle has the schnable forearm and a steel buttplate. I'm also curious about the brass shell counter; is that common on all 99's. I'm trying to figure out how to post some pics that would help me on my quest for more 99 knowledge. Thanks again for your help.
Eric
The shell counter was on all 99's that don't have a detachable magazine box. I'm going to say it's a pre-mil 99F from the late 1950's or early 1960's based on the serial # and limited description. There should be a letter stamped on the front side of the lever boss, if you can tell me what letter it is I can tell you exactly what year it was made.
"Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
“Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain
"Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
“Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain
My rifle has a steel shotgun buttplate, raised rail dovetail front site(I think, only the ramp remains) pistol grip stock, checkered stock and forearm, schnoble forearm, the letter on the lever boss is 17H. Hope this helps. Thanks
If you can read this thank your teacher; if you can read this in English thank your military
The 17H tells me it was made in 1956.
"Life' is tough. It's even tougher if you're stupid." ~ John Wayne
“Under certain circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” —Mark Twain
No offense intended to any of the posters here, but you're not getting good info on your rifle. It's a 99EG if the forearm is correct and numbered to the rifle. You can check by removing the forearm screw and forearm, and looking on the end of the forearm nearest the receiver. It should be stamped with the same serial number as the rifle. The buttstock will have a number under the metal buttplate. If they match, congratulations, you have an uncommon and somewhat hard to find 99EG in 308. 1956 is correct for the year.
There were rotors made of materials other than brass pre-mil, or pre one million serial number. For example, around 1954 there was a run of case colored rotors.
After serial #900,000, which is about 1955 IIRC, the receiver was modified to accommodate the 243/308/358 cartridges. After 1960, or after serial # 1 million, "post-mil" to 99 guys, cost cutting measures began to erode the quality of parts and workmanship in the 99's. However, the addition of the tang safety in 1960, on all models except the economy "E", redesigned and moved from the earlier position by the lever, made the 99 a little more user friendly for leftys, and was more familiar to shotgunners accustomed to tang safeties. I find the tang safety to be a mixed bag. It's a little harder to get at with a scope mounted, but a little more intuitive in it's location than the lever safety.
I'm not trying to come across as an expert, I am just learning myself, and am passing along what I am learning so that you can know a little more about your firearm. You should not sell your 308 EG cheap, it's a desirable model. Should you decide to part company, I recommend a penny start Gunbroker auction with no reserve and no Buy Now price. You will attract LOTS of attention very quickly, and your rifle will sell for more than you think. At any rate, your rifle should be an outstanding shooter.
Thanks for the info. The numbers are as follows-Forearm 88BL, Buttstock-9MBL, Buttplate-8MBL, Ser# 908928. Any ideas? Your info has got me kinda stoked. By the way NO WAY am I selling this rifle. I love everything about it and your right it shoots great. What kind of loads do you recommend for best performance.
Thanks again
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