Savage 99E in .243

[JonB]

I just got my old Savage 99e in .243 back from my dad. This was the first gun I owned except for a BB gun. I packed it around Montana while growing up and used it for deer, antelope, and yes even took it elk hunting. I know its a bit on the light side for elk, but I recall shooting at an elk once or twice while dad was also shooting his 30-06 at it - never did hit it. Great deer/antelope gun though. I had my dad send it to me as I got wind that my brother in law was thinking it would be good for his kid, after they chop the stock as it was too long for him.
Uhhhhhh no. Not going to happen.

So anyway, it showed up today and the stock is a bit rough, got a crappy Tasco scope on it that dad says won't hold a zero at high magnifications. Blueing is nice considering how much this thing has been packed around.

But after doing a little digging on Savage99.com, I think that this is probably not an original stock anyway. It's definitely not walnut - probably more along the lines of birch. That site also says that the 99e model came with a straight stock vs pistol grip and a steel butt plate. Mine has a pistol grip with a plastic butt plate.

Any experts out there that can tell me if the stock is possibly original? I am seriously pondering going to Boyds (as I live in SD) and seeing what they can do for a nice new walnut stock. But if by some chance the gun is original I don't want to screw it up and decrease the value.
Oh, and how do I tell how old it is? SN is B583xxx

 

[rbernie]

The 99E usually came exactly as your rifle sits: non-walnut hardwood stock in a pistol grip configuration.

 

[Glenn Kelley]

Would the hoop on the lever be a different shape if the stock was straight?

 

[rbernie]

Yup.

 

[Titanvk56]

Your 99E "Economy Carbine" looks all original (except for the sling studs) and was made in the 70's. The economy carbine was made from 1960 to 1984.

The 99E info you looked at on savage99.com was referring to the E model made from 1922 to 1934, which did have the nicer walnut wood and a straight grip buttstock.

Although 99's are very popular right now the pre 1960 models are more desirable then the post 1960 models. So I wouldn't worry too much about changing or refinishing the wood.

The economy carbines are bringing $400+/- on the auctions as of late.

I have one just like yours and it will shoot sub MOA with Remmy 100 gr. core-lokts.

 

[JonB]

Cool thanks!

I found out a little more this afternoon. I posted similar thread on another forum (24hourrcampfire.com) that had a Savage collectors thread. Serial # (according to the guy who responded) is from 1974 manufacture date. My dad said he bought it around 1985/86.
General consensus on the other board was that it really has no collector value (other than my personal collector value) because it is the 'E' version late production. No big deal.

So it looks like I'll be getting a nice walnut stock from Boyd's to dress it up a bit, a new scope and rings, and then see what she'll do at the range.

 

[rangerruck]

there were many, many, dif versions of the 99 rifle, I find it extremely diff to believe anyone would choose, for whatever reason, to restock a 99, so be very careful. If i rememvber right, the 99 in 243, is the second most valuable caliber ever made for the 99, with the 250-3000 being most valuable.

 

[Bricky62]

Go back to the Savage99 site you mentioned, and there is a place to enter your serial #s and that will tell you when--Yes they came with birh too.