358 Savage

mr_evans2u · December 30, 2010, 01:39 AM

I just inherited a .358 Savage 99 rifle. It has an S on it. I'm just wondering what it is worth.
Any help is appreciated

bamaranger · December 30, 2010, 03:15 AM

I cannot give you a dollar figure, but some one will eventually. The .358 is not a common chambering, period, and will add value to the rifle. Congrats on a rare classic and a heck of a whitetail rig.

taylorce1 · December 30, 2010, 09:00 AM

Yes you got one of the rarer chamberings in the Savage 99. I managed to pick one up myself a few years back in very good shape. It would be easier if we knew which exact model of 99 you have like mine is a Savage 99A which is their "brush gun" style. This is what my rifle looks like:

I've seen a few .358's on Gunbroker most of them start around $1000 and go up from there depending on when your rifle was made. I'm not a 99 expert by any means but there are some years more desireable than others.

mr_evans2u · December 30, 2010, 11:17 AM

thanks to both of you. taylorce1 mine looks very similar to yours, I'll try and take a few pictures today and post. I have no intentions of ever selling this gun, but was thinking about getting insurance on it.

taylorce1 · December 30, 2010, 11:30 AM

I looked on gunbroker this morning and there are two .358 Savage 99's for sale. One guys buy it now price is $1750 for what he called a 99 Featherweight. I'd say he is right in the ballpark with his rifle, right now it is at $750 but hasn't met the reserve.

The other guy has a Savage brush gun like mine but with a fancy grained wood stock. He list it as a Savage "bigwigs" rifle and his opening bid is at $2000 with a buy it now of $2200. I know I sure wouldn't pay his opening bid unless he had some sort of documents to prove everything he states. Right now it looks like someone slapped on a stock to replace a broken one and the stock looks improperly finished. I doubt he will get his opening bid unless someone with money to burn just wants this chambering.

I've got about $1000 in my rifle, but I did some horse trading to get it, and it only cost me $300 out of pocket plus shipping and transfer fee. If you are just looking to get it appraised, there are some certified appraisers out there who will give you a letter to take to your insurance company. That is what I'd do if all you are looking for is to insure it for replacement cost.

pesta2 · December 30, 2010, 12:07 PM

One of the mods, Mike Irwin know a goot bit about 99's.

mr_evans2u · December 30, 2010, 03:46 PM

Here is the rifle.....

This is where I found the "S"

dgludwig · December 30, 2010, 05:13 PM

My 1968 Savage catalog shows a Model 99 configured like yours (the Model 99-F), and the chamberings included the .358 Winchester. The 1969 Savage catalog listed the same model, sans the .358 chambering. Though the 99-F's receiver was sometimes marked 99M, I'm not sure what the "S" means (though the Model 99-E was cataloged as the Model 99-E/S when equipped with a scope). I'm guessing that your Model 99 is worth at least $1,000.00 and up and will only gain in value as time goes on.

I purchased a new Savage 99-358, "Series A" Brush rifle, chambered in .358 back in 1977 for $191.00. These rifles were made only from around 1977 to 1980. Mine is equipped with a Redfield "WideField", 2 3/4X5 scope, affixed to a Weaver pivot-type mount. This rig makes for a splendid whitetail deer/black bear set-up. I know that whitetails don't travel very far after being hit in the right place with a 200 grain Silvertip.

**Mike Irwin** · December 30, 2010, 07:23 PM

I'm away from my books right now, visiting family for the holiday, but so far the information you're getting here is pretty spot on.

The .358 is one of the least common chamberings (but not the rarest), and is very highly sought after.

There were, IIRC, two distinct runs made in .358, an early run in the 1950s or 1960s, and a later run in the 1970s, but I'll have to confirm that.

It's uncommon to see a .358 for sale, it's a lot more uncommon to see one for under $1,000.

The last one I saw at a gun show was going for $1,500 or so.

A few years ago I did see one for $700 at a show, and I was considering buying it, but the stock had been chopped and the barrel had been cut back several inches. Too much freight to put it right, so I passed.

I believe the "S" marking is simply Savage's proof mark.

No matter how you cut it, though, you've got a very desirable rifle.

mr_evans2u · January 3, 2011, 04:53 PM

Thanks for all the info guys!

mr_evans2u · July 23, 2013, 02:39 PM

I know this is a very old thread that I'm bringing back up. But I wanted to revisit this.
My gun has a serial # of 925xxx
I'm not sure what is stamped here but its on the receiver next to the hinge pin on the lever

Would anyone know based on this info what year this gun was made?

ligonierbill · July 23, 2013, 03:57 PM

Go to www.Savage99.com and enter the serial number.

mr_evans2u · July 23, 2013, 04:18 PM

I've done that, it only says it was made after 1951

**Mike Irwin** · July 23, 2013, 10:27 PM

The first run was from 1956 to about 1968, the second run was 1977 to 1980.

Your rifle appears to have the lever bow safety, which puts it in the earlier run, which means that it could be one of 4 or 5 separate models.

We'd need to see pictures of the entire gun to see its various attributes to determine exactly which model it is.

Doug Murray's book on the 99 indicates that serial number 900,000 was produced around 1954, so it would seem that yours might be one of the earlier ones in .358.

OK, a video article on the NRA's National Firearms Museum says that Savage 99 serial number 1,000,000 was presented to NRA in early 1960.

Gunplummer · July 24, 2013, 10:45 AM

I have an "F" model and from the other ones have seen, it is hard to find one without a crack at the tang or a recoil pad installed. I think the cracking is why the second model had the stock beefed up. I have to admit, when I stand and shoot offhand, it does throw you around a little.

PetahW · July 24, 2013, 12:12 PM

The stamp is the LBC (Lever Boss Code), which was appied when the rifle was made to show when it was made - but the focus on you pic is such that I cannot make it out (but looks like it might be an "H").

"A"=1949, "B"=1950, "C"=1951, "D"=1952, "E"=1953, "F"=1954, "G"=1955, "H"=1956, "J"=1957.

The transition from the lever safety to the tang safety started gradually in the late 1950's.

The model should be stamped into the front receiver wall, viewable after removing the forend wood.
Single-letter models (like "F") were stamped on only one side of the rotary magazine's axle housing; Two-letter models (like "EG") were stamped with one letter on each side of the housing.

The scope mounting holes are factory, because IIRC on guns prior to factory scope prep, the Savage logo was atop the front ring & only moved to the LH side due to the prep - aftermarket D/T'd earlier guns have the hole drilled through the top-stamped logo.

I'd want to insure that rifle for $1800 replacement value, minimum.

.

mr_evans2u · July 25, 2013, 11:14 AM

PetahW I think you are right. I used my wife's reading glasses and it looks like the LBC is "17 H"
I'm not ready or willing to remove the forehand wood to look for the model stamp.
So if the LBC is truly an "H" then this gun was built in 1956, and I would say it's still in great condition considering it was and is still used in the woods.

Tom Matiska · July 27, 2013, 02:23 PM

Is that a vent hole in the side of the scope?

PetahW · July 27, 2013, 03:21 PM

.

Your Savage 99 appears to be a Model 99EG (you already know how to tell, for sure), and with 70% of the CCH gone from the lever, plus 80% of the receiver bluing gone, (besides the bluing worn off the high spots of the barrel stampings) make it in "Fair" condition (about 70% original condition).

If the buttstock hasn't been cut/shortened (issue LOP=13"), when viewed from the side it should have an "S-shaped" contour - if the butt end of the wood's cut straight, it's non-standard.

What gives it value over/above other EG's in .300/etc in like condition is it's currently desireable .358 chambering.

.

December 30, 2010, 01:39 AM	#1
mr_evans2u Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 10	358 Savage I just inherited a .358 Savage 99 rifle. It has an S on it. I'm just wondering what it is worth. Any help is appreciated

December 30, 2010, 03:15 AM	#2
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,788	nice I cannot give you a dollar figure, but some one will eventually. The .358 is not a common chambering, period, and will add value to the rifle. Congrats on a rare classic and a heck of a whitetail rig.

December 30, 2010, 09:00 AM	#3
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,494	Yes you got one of the rarer chamberings in the Savage 99. I managed to pick one up myself a few years back in very good shape. It would be easier if we knew which exact model of 99 you have like mine is a Savage 99A which is their "brush gun" style. This is what my rifle looks like: I've seen a few .358's on Gunbroker most of them start around $1000 and go up from there depending on when your rifle was made. I'm not a 99 expert by any means but there are some years more desireable than others. Last edited by taylorce1; December 30, 2010 at 11:30 AM.

December 30, 2010, 12:07 PM	#6
pesta2 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2006 Location: Fairmont, WV Posts: 1,682	One of the mods, Mike Irwin know a goot bit about 99's. __________________ http://www.stevekonya.com

December 30, 2010, 05:13 PM	#8
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	My 1968 Savage catalog shows a Model 99 configured like yours (the Model 99-F), and the chamberings included the .358 Winchester. The 1969 Savage catalog listed the same model, sans the .358 chambering. Though the 99-F's receiver was sometimes marked 99M, I'm not sure what the "S" means (though the Model 99-E was cataloged as the Model 99-E/S when equipped with a scope). I'm guessing that your Model 99 is worth at least $1,000.00 and up and will only gain in value as time goes on. I purchased a new Savage 99-358, "Series A" Brush rifle, chambered in .358 back in 1977 for $191.00. These rifles were made only from around 1977 to 1980. Mine is equipped with a Redfield "WideField", 2 3/4X5 scope, affixed to a Weaver pivot-type mount. This rig makes for a splendid whitetail deer/black bear set-up. I know that whitetails don't travel very far after being hit in the right place with a 200 grain Silvertip. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

December 30, 2010, 11:17 AM	#4
mr_evans2u Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 10	thanks to both of you. taylorce1 mine looks very similar to yours, I'll try and take a few pictures today and post. I have no intentions of ever selling this gun, but was thinking about getting insurance on it.

December 30, 2010, 11:30 AM	#5
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,494	I looked on gunbroker this morning and there are two .358 Savage 99's for sale. One guys buy it now price is $1750 for what he called a 99 Featherweight. I'd say he is right in the ballpark with his rifle, right now it is at $750 but hasn't met the reserve. The other guy has a Savage brush gun like mine but with a fancy grained wood stock. He list it as a Savage "bigwigs" rifle and his opening bid is at $2000 with a buy it now of $2200. I know I sure wouldn't pay his opening bid unless he had some sort of documents to prove everything he states. Right now it looks like someone slapped on a stock to replace a broken one and the stock looks improperly finished. I doubt he will get his opening bid unless someone with money to burn just wants this chambering. I've got about $1000 in my rifle, but I did some horse trading to get it, and it only cost me $300 out of pocket plus shipping and transfer fee. If you are just looking to get it appraised, there are some certified appraisers out there who will give you a letter to take to your insurance company. That is what I'd do if all you are looking for is to insure it for replacement cost.

December 30, 2010, 03:46 PM	#7
mr_evans2u Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 10	Here is the rifle..... This is where I found the "S"

December 30, 2010, 07:23 PM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,641	I'm away from my books right now, visiting family for the holiday, but so far the information you're getting here is pretty spot on. The .358 is one of the least common chamberings (but not the rarest), and is very highly sought after. There were, IIRC, two distinct runs made in .358, an early run in the 1950s or 1960s, and a later run in the 1970s, but I'll have to confirm that. It's uncommon to see a .358 for sale, it's a lot more uncommon to see one for under $1,000. The last one I saw at a gun show was going for $1,500 or so. A few years ago I did see one for $700 at a show, and I was considering buying it, but the stock had been chopped and the barrel had been cut back several inches. Too much freight to put it right, so I passed. I believe the "S" marking is simply Savage's proof mark. No matter how you cut it, though, you've got a very desirable rifle. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 3, 2011, 04:53 PM	#10
mr_evans2u Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 10	Thanks for all the info guys!

July 23, 2013, 02:39 PM	#11
mr_evans2u Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 10	I know this is a very old thread that I'm bringing back up. But I wanted to revisit this. My gun has a serial # of 925xxx I'm not sure what is stamped here but its on the receiver next to the hinge pin on the lever Would anyone know based on this info what year this gun was made?

July 23, 2013, 03:57 PM	#12
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,641	Go to www.Savage99.com and enter the serial number.

July 23, 2013, 04:18 PM	#13
mr_evans2u Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 10	I've done that, it only says it was made after 1951

July 23, 2013, 10:27 PM	#14
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,641	The first run was from 1956 to about 1968, the second run was 1977 to 1980. Your rifle appears to have the lever bow safety, which puts it in the earlier run, which means that it could be one of 4 or 5 separate models. We'd need to see pictures of the entire gun to see its various attributes to determine exactly which model it is. Doug Murray's book on the 99 indicates that serial number 900,000 was produced around 1954, so it would seem that yours might be one of the earlier ones in .358. OK, a video article on the NRA's National Firearms Museum says that Savage 99 serial number 1,000,000 was presented to NRA in early 1960. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 24, 2013, 10:45 AM	#15
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	I have an "F" model and from the other ones have seen, it is hard to find one without a crack at the tang or a recoil pad installed. I think the cracking is why the second model had the stock beefed up. I have to admit, when I stand and shoot offhand, it does throw you around a little.

July 24, 2013, 12:12 PM	#16
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	The stamp is the LBC (Lever Boss Code), which was appied when the rifle was made to show when it was made - but the focus on you pic is such that I cannot make it out (but looks like it might be an "H"). "A"=1949, "B"=1950, "C"=1951, "D"=1952, "E"=1953, "F"=1954, "G"=1955, "H"=1956, "J"=1957. The transition from the lever safety to the tang safety started gradually in the late 1950's. The model should be stamped into the front receiver wall, viewable after removing the forend wood. Single-letter models (like "F") were stamped on only one side of the rotary magazine's axle housing; Two-letter models (like "EG") were stamped with one letter on each side of the housing. The scope mounting holes are factory, because IIRC on guns prior to factory scope prep, the Savage logo was atop the front ring & only moved to the LH side due to the prep - aftermarket D/T'd earlier guns have the hole drilled through the top-stamped logo. I'd want to insure that rifle for $1800 replacement value, minimum. . Last edited by PetahW; July 24, 2013 at 12:55 PM.

July 25, 2013, 11:14 AM	#17
mr_evans2u Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 10	PetahW I think you are right. I used my wife's reading glasses and it looks like the LBC is "17 H" I'm not ready or willing to remove the forehand wood to look for the model stamp. So if the LBC is truly an "H" then this gun was built in 1956, and I would say it's still in great condition considering it was and is still used in the woods.

July 27, 2013, 02:23 PM	#18
Tom Matiska Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Posts: 1,029	Is that a vent hole in the side of the scope? __________________ A gun is like a parachute... when you need one you usually need it pretty bad...

July 27, 2013, 03:21 PM	#19
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Your Savage 99 appears to be a Model 99EG (you already know how to tell, for sure), and with 70% of the CCH gone from the lever, plus 80% of the receiver bluing gone, (besides the bluing worn off the high spots of the barrel stampings) make it in "Fair" condition (about 70% original condition). If the buttstock hasn't been cut/shortened (issue LOP=13"), when viewed from the side it should have an "S-shaped" contour - if the butt end of the wood's cut straight, it's non-standard. What gives it value over/above other EG's in .300/etc in like condition is it's currently desireable .358 chambering. . Last edited by PetahW; July 27, 2013 at 07:34 PM.