Old No7 wrote:I've always read that the letter code on the lever was an Inspector's Mark -- and nothing to do with the model. I believe the T'a also had a unique rear sight, with a semi-buckhorn type blade.
Maybe some others will confirm...
Old No7
The LBC (Lever Boss Code) is a manufacturing date code, not an inspector's mark or model designation.
Many Savage Model 99's had their model designation stamped into the front face of the receiver wall ( viewable via removing the forend ) on 1 or both sides of the rotary magazine's front axle bushing, depending upon the model.
AFAIK, original Model 99T's were made from SN 350,000 to SN 400,000 during 1935-40
The only chamberings were .250-3000, .30-30, .303 Savage, & .22HP w/ 20" barrels & the .300 Savage w/ 22" barrel.
Pistol grip: checkered
Buttplate: corregated steel shotgun style
Forearm: semi-beavertail shape with blunt rounded tip
"Savage Model 99" on receiver ring top
They were not drilled and tapped
They had no sling studs
The giveaway on a T is that the stock and forearm are beefier than the regular models (R’s excluded) and the checkering on the forearm starts at the rear of the fore stock and runs all the way to the front on both sides which covers most of the forearm, 2 points on either end of it and wraps underneath as well.
Because your rifle is in .308, it's definitely not a Model 99T.
.308 Savage 99's had a longer action innard's than earlier Model 99's, and were made only as Model's 99C. 99CD, 99DE, 99DL, 99E, 99EG, 99F, & 99PE's.
.
) in 308 seems exceedingly rare, made in 1966 according to savage99.come. The serial number is just over one million, 1,0xx,xxx, so the 1966 isn't exactly a stretch either (pre millions seem to be 1959 or earlier?). It has the round counter as well, the condition is 'good' to lower 'very good'.
