History Books on Savage 99 Rifle

[Savage 94C]

Hello All: I asked this question on another non related post once and only received one comment, also I searched the forum for any information regarding the history of the 99 with no results. On a related site to this forum it listed basically two books on the history of the 99; 1) The Ninety Nine-A History of the Savage 99 Rifle by DP Murray and 2) A Collectors Guide to the Savage 99 by David Royal. To those of you familiar with both books, what is your thoughts and/or recommendation between the two. From what I've found, the Murray book is out of print and a lot scarcer and more dollars. The Royal book, a newer printing, I've found on four online book sellers at the cost of anywhere from $40-44 as the cheapest. The Murray book runs around $80-90 plus and isn't very available. For a concise and accurate history on the 99, which is the best as far as models made, years of manufacture, differences in models, etc. Thanks for any input.

[Travis98146]

I haven't read Murray's book but I have 2 copies of Royal's book. Royal's book has a lot of the history of the Savage 1899 to 99 along with photos and charts to date and ID a rifle. He shows a lot of the very valuable collector rifles. There doesn't seem to be a solid dating/ID system for them (say a Model 99A or B or C etc). I don't know if I'm allowed to sell you one of my copies here but, if you want, I would be willing and for less than the $40.

[Big Al1]

I have the book by Murry, very informative. Got it on E bay!!

[J.Baker]

Royal's book is the newest and as Travis pointed out has a lot of great info and high quality photos.

Murray's book is also very good and informative, but most of the imagery in it are photocopies of lithographs, magazine ads, catalog pages and such. Not that that's a bad thing, just noting the difference between the two.

Bill West published the book, "Savage and Stevens Arms & History" back in 1971, and the only reprinting was in 1989. If you can find one I would definitely recommend getting a First Edition copy over the Second Edition as they removed about 80% of the images in the 2nd. Ed. and it's less than 1/2 the thickness of the 1st. Ed. Expect to pay $150-200 for a 1st. Edition in very good to excellent condition - IF you can find one for sale.

Jay Kimmel also put out a book entitled "Savage and Stevens Arms: Collectors History" which has been printed at least four times now. It's a decent book, but most of the information in it was taken directly from Bill West's book and Philip B. Sharpe's book "The Rifle In America" which was first published in 1938 (excellent book by the way and a definite must have for any gun nut).

[Savage 94C]

Thanks for the info. The Murray book is very hard to find, think I searched a half dozen online books sources with only two having it, one of which was questionable if they had it available even though it showed it as a in stock item. I have Sharpe's book. The NRA published and offered it maybe around 20 years ago (nice hard bound, gold leaf pages), looks like it should be in some upscale library. Anyway, didn't think of looking in it, it has quite a few pages dedicated to the 99 and all of its variations. Have to read it. David Royal's book is maybe the way I'd like to go having better pictures and such, although I love looking at old ad and catalog pictures.

[J.Baker]

I have all of them I listed, but regrettably I sold my 1st Edition of Bill West's book about 12-13 years ago when the 2nd Edition came out. At the time I figured I should get the money back out of my first edition while I could and I'd just buy the 2nd Edition and I wouldn't be out anything as I only wanted it for the information within. What I didn't know until my new copy showed up was that they had removed so much information from the 2nd Edition. Needless to say I still kick myself over that one. Live and learn....