I found this forum while trying to find some information on a recently purchased Model 99 – 250/3000. It was in the original box and is in excellent condition. With the help of this forum and by digging through my collection of old Savage/Stevens gun catalogs I have determined it is an EG. I have not been able to find any references that would tell me the year it was built. The serial number is 734XXX. I have found a couple references in searching through past post on this site that indicated a S.N of 590XXX was built in 1951 and a S.N. of 958XXX was built in 1958.

The specifications in the 1950 Savage Catalog indicate the EG was only drilled and tapped for tang sights, whereas the other models (R & RS) available at that time were drilled for tang sights as well as the “Weaver telescope top mount”. A 1952 reference I have, The Official Gun Book, also indicates that in 1952 only the tang was drilled and tapped. My gun is drilled for both tang sights and scope mounts. A 1960 Reference, The Shooter’s Bible, indicates that the EG was, “Drilled and tapped for mounting telescopes and receiver sights”. No mention of drilled and tapped tang holes. So sometime between 1952 and 1960 the EG was drilled and tapped for both tang sights and scope mounts, and it appears at some time the tang holes were removed and the receiver was drilled and tapped for receiver sights and scope mounts. I’m assuming the rear scope mounting holes were used for mounting the receiver sights. Does any of this make sense? In reviewing all my old Savage Catalogs I’m amazed at all the possible variations of models, calibers, rotary vs. clip magazine, sight availability, safety position, stock configurations, etc. Has to be in the hundreds.

Analysis of all the data indicates the gun had to have been built between 1952 and 1958, and if I extrapolate, assuming that roughly the same number of EG’s were built each year, than I’m guessing the gun was built in either 1955 or 1956. Can some one confirm this?

Sorry for being long winded, Jim K