Savage 99 of unsure date or rarity

[Rancher1997]

I need help with date of new to me Savage 99 in 300 Savage,serial number 7380xx with 20E within a circle on the hinge of the lever. That serial number seems right for 1954 but 'Mad Dog' in his article says, if I read it correctly, they were rare and only made in 1953. It has a 24 inch barrel but unfortunately the stock has been cut to add a recoil pad. It was D&T for scope bases but not factory done because the model number is covered by the bases. It also has the ramped front sight referred to in Mad Dog's article and the round counter on the side..

Any help would be appreciated

Rancher1997.