Savage 99 with Belgium Proof marks

[bijj62]

Hi there, I posted this on the 24hr campsite forum but thought Id share here as well. I picked this up a few days ago because the proof marks peaked my interest. Ill admit I didn't know much of what they meant but figured they had to mean something interesting. I have never seen a 99 like it before. Some people suggest it could have been a "lend lease" gun but Im unsure how that could be proved true or untrue. The serial number dates it to 1917 (1887xx). Unfortunately it has been drilled and tapped and the forend and butt plate replaced They share the same serial number different from the receiver and butt stock. It looks like someone added the sling swivel to the barrel, that appears to be European as well. I had a gunsmith give it a quick check and all appears to be in working order, I guess I'll go shoot it the first chance I get.

[Mad Dog]

Birmingham proof marks on one of my Stevens 425's in 35 Rem. Lend lease.

http://www.gunproof.com/index.html

[bijj62]

Very Nice Mad Dog! Is there a definite way to prove lend lease guns? If I understand the proofs on my gun correctly 1 means it good for smokeless powder, 1 is an inspection of the breeching system, 1 is the controller of proofs (Jamart Auguste), 1 designates a rifled barrel and the other is a final proof. What exactly does that tell me? It doesn't mean it was ever used during war Could my gun have been sold over there at some point in its time?

[Mad Dog]

If it was how did it find it's way back to the U.S.?

Theres no way to prove one way or the other that it was a lend lease but it makes the most sense. I know of Winchester 70's and Marlin levers with the same marks. The lend lease theory makes the most sense as the guns would have been sent back after the war ended.

It was law for the proof marks to be made to any firearm entering the country so that also makes sense.

The Birmingham marks are great because Birmingham kept records of the lend lease guns, so I could probably prove it for the price of a stamp.

[bijj62]

If it was how did it find it's way back to the U.S.?

Theres no way to prove one way or the other that it was a lend lease but it makes the most sense. I know of Winchester 70's and Marlin levers with the same marks. The lend lease theory makes the most sense as the guns would have been sent back after the war ended.

It was law for the proof marks to be made to any firearm entering the country so that also makes sense.

The Birmingham marks are great because Birmingham kept records of the lend lease guns, so I could probably prove it for the price of a stamp.

Thanks for the info. Im sure the proof marks add to the value some, maybe significantly. Any idea how much? I plan on using the gun, in your opinion is there any reason why I shouldn't. If it was in better condition Im sure this would be a different story. Thank you again.

[Mad Dog]

To be honest I don't think it adds to the value at all. Sure it's got some cool factor with the markings but with Savage 1899's and 99's the value is all in the condition on the pre-mil rifles and yours has been messed with. The D&T and heavy loss of original bluing devalues the gun a lot and puts it into a shooter grade class, not collector. The caliber will bring you some value but if it had been in any other caliber other than 250 it would be a $450 gun.

[bijj62]

Yeah I almost didn't even buy the thing because of the drilling and tapping. But this was the 1st 250-3000 model 99 that I had seen for under $1000 whether D&T-ed or not, people ask some outrageous prices for these 99s over in my "neck of the woods". I am happy to say that I was able to find a couple boxes of ammo too!

[Mad Dog]

The pre-mil 250's supposedly shoot better with 87 gr loads but even with the 1-14" twist a 100 gr pill will still kill a deer just as fast as an 87.

[J.Baker]

Hey Joe, what was the last year Savage offered the .250-3000 Savage in the 99's? What about the .300 Savage? The more I think about it, the more I seem to realize that I don't recall ever seeing any from after the early to mid 1960's being chambered in either cartridge.

[Mad Dog]

In 1984 both the 250 and the 300 were discontinued from the 99.

It was still offered in the 99E up until then.