Savage Model 1899/99

Made: 1895 (1895-98); Model 1899 (1898-1923); Model 99 (1923-2003)

Variants: Numerous models, variations, grades, and commemoratives; 20-28” long barrels. 16 calibres including Savage’s own .303, .22 H-P, 250-3000, and .300.

Production: 5,000 Model 1895 (Marlin); more than 1 million Model 1899/99: Utica NY, Chicopee Falls Mass., Westfield Mass.

Original price: Standard Model 1899 from $20 to $21.50 US; 1951 Model 99 EG, $105.65 US

Current value: Model 99 EG .300 Savage $600-$1,000

Iconic Savage Model

My 1951 Model 99EG in .300 Savage is the most common and iconic Savage lever-action. Its sleek lines and internal rotary magazine deliver impressive accuracy. It surpasses the Winchester 94 and Marlin 336 as my favourite lever action.

Ironically, the Model 1899’s inventor, Arthur Savage, only lasted a decade with his namesake company. Jamaican-born Savage trained as a missionary and artist. He dabbled at opal prospecting and cattle ranching in Australia, running a Jamaican coffee plantation, and managing a railway in Utica, NY. His firearms patents launched Savage Repeating Arms in 1894. But he left 10 years later for California to turn another patent into the Savage Tire Company.

Savage started with a Martini-based repeating rifle patent. He then designed a hammerless lever-action rifle with internal rotary magazine and cartridge counter in 1892. Colt refined it as the Model 1893. Savage added a Schnabel forearm, cocking indicator, and behind-the-trigger safety to create the Model 1895.

Marlin Firearms

Marlin Firearms made five Savage 1895 models: round, octagonal, or half-octagonal rifles with 26-inch barrels and crescent butt plates, saddle-ring carbine with 22-inch barrel with carbine butt plate, and military musket with 30-inch barrel, in .303 Savage.

Savage Arms opened their own facility in Utica, NY in 1898 to transform the 1895 into the Model 1899. It came in six standard models including the five above and a short-rifle version — all with Schnabel forearms, straight grips, and no engraving. Savage also offered extras, including $5 Model 1895 conversions.

Savage Arms expanded the 1899 line over the next two decades by adding deluxe, featherweight, takedown, and Montreal home guard musket versions. They added popular Winchester calibres and Savage’s .22 High Power (HP) and .250-3000.

In 1920, Savage launched its .300. They also rebranded the 1899 as the Model 99 with confusing alphabetical designations in 1923. Over two decades, Savage introduced a .410, Models 99R and RS with straight heavier forearms, and the 99EG.

Savage in WWII

During the Second World War, Savage produced Thompson machine guns, Lee-Enfield rifles, and Browning aircraft machine guns in Chicopee Falls, Mass. They resumed production of the Model 99 there from 1946-1960, with few changes.

Savage continued production in Westfield, Mass. from 1960 to 1998. They added tang safety and options like clip/magazine, Monte Carlo stock, more calibres, and presentation/commemorative models.

Savage stopped selling their flagship firearm in 2003 because of high production costs, with no plans to reintroduce. Pity!