Another guy trying to identify an 1899

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

As collectors go I don't think it is one. As mentioned the furniture is pretty bad, and the forend is probably not correct to the gun at all. Since then I stuck a light in the bore and had a look. You can tell it has rifling, but unless there is massive lead fouling (have not tried any cleaning yet) "had" rifling is probably a more correct description. Some modern reproduction 99 furniture was ordered for it. I was going to brush and clean and shoot, but I am afraid the stock might split (further) and cause a minor injury. I'll wait for the new wood. The existing furniture can always be kept with the rifle. I may change my mind after I get it out to the range and shoot it, but the fellow who brought it to me to look at said it was strictly a hundred yard gun. Since there aren't many options for 303 Savage ammunition I expect I'll just see what it does with the ancient rounds he brought with it first. No, I'm not going to hand load for it, but it did occur to me if he wanted to with its rotary magazine he could use a modern bullet with a decent BC.

[CalhounRR]

A half octagon barrel would be an 1899C, and since they were made from 1899 thru 1917 it's perfectly correct for 1904. I would guess the stock is a later replacement. They didn't come with a cheek rise on the buttstock except for a VERY, VERY FEW that had a full out cheek piece. And those were all very fancy guns from what I've seen.

Would have had a 26" barrel as a standard, a crescent buttplate (now gone) tho a shotgun style flat buttplate could be ordered. The forearm should go all the way to the end of the octagon portion of the barrel, and end in a schnabel.

I'd definitely try shooting it after using some foaming bore cleaner to clean out the barrel. Never know, a lot of these old girls still shoot great!

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

A half octagon barrel would be an 1899C, and since they were made from 1899 thru 1917 it's perfectly correct for 1904. I would guess the stock is a later replacement. They didn't come with a cheek rise on the buttstock except for a VERY, VERY FEW that had a full out cheek piece. And those were all very fancy guns from what I've seen.

Would have had a 26" barrel as a standard, a crescent buttplate (now gone) tho a shotgun style flat buttplate could be ordered. The forearm should go all the way to the end of the octagon portion of the barrel, and end in a schnabel.

I'd definitely try shooting it after using some foaming bore cleaner to clean out the barrel. Never know, a lot of these old girls still shoot great!

Thank you. I kinda posted the "1899C / not right age" just to make sure. The one way to get good information on the internet is to post the wrong information... Well, that and I had no clue when I made the first post. The rest, I appreciate your confirmations.

The new furniture should arrive in a day or two. After inletting to fit and sanding I'll explore either traditional oil or offending the sensibilities with some shiny synthetic hard coat to finish. LOL. Probably oil finish, but...