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Rare Special Order Savage Deluxe Model 1899 Lever Action Short Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Rare Special Order Savage Deluxe  Model 1899 Lever Action Short Rifle
This special order deluxe Model 1899 rife has a 20" part octagon barrel marked with the two line address/patent date marking with "CAL 303". Lyman blade front sight and Lyman folding leaf rear sight, with a Lyman No. 1 comb sight. Blue with casehardened lever and buttplate. Nicely figured pistol grip stock with special fancy checkering on the Schnabel forearm and grip area and fitted with a crescent buttplate. The consignor states in the included e-mail copy that the factory records confirm the caliber and half-octagon barrel with no entries for the fancy wood or original consignee and that the records state the rifle was accepted from the factory on March 1st, 1900 with the only other entry being "NYS". Savage historian John Callahan believed that that the rifle was used for display at the New York State Exposition and states that there was no consignee on record because it was an "in factory" order. Information gathered from a Savage collector who once owned this rifle, continues the consignor, possibly makes this rifle the first Model 1899 rifle that Savage used as a display gun at an expo. (This e-mail is included with the gun).
BBL: 20 inch part octagon
Stock: deluxe fancy walnut
Gauge: 303 savage
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 14652
Condition: Fine. The barrel retains 90% original blue finish which is mostly thinning to a brown. The receiver retains 30% blue finish with the balance a smooth gray patina. The lever and buttplate retain 20% original case colors (mostly on the lever), otherwise faded to a gray patina. The wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches. There are some minor nicks in the overall crisp checkering.