Like the others wrote, Jerico. Give us the rifle's serial number and, if available, its Lever Boss Code ('LBC'). And one or several of us will probably be able to give you the information you seek. It is generally felt that the LBC is 'THE' most accurate way to determine the year of manufacture of the Savage Model 99s. However, without the LBC, determing the year of manufacture gets a bit tougher due to an inter-mingling of various series of the rifle's serial numbers in some years. If you wish to know the rifle's value and/or model, we'll need to know its condition and features along with the LBC and serial number. Pictures always help too.

Strength & Honor. Were there LBCs of 'O' or 'Q'? What about 'W' and following? I've never seen any O, Q, or W, X, Y, or Z coded rifles.

Is there any information available regarding use of serial numbers to help determine year of manufacture of Savage firearms. In my case I am.

(And I always look.) Are the post-70 serial numbers proprietary information? I've never seen them listed anywhere. (I'm talking about the S/Ns after they moved to the side of the receiver and were preceded with a letter (I think.still learning). My dad has a pretty serious collection of 99s and is planning to start selling them off pretty soon. I need an education, as he wants me to do the selling. (He has about 40 - 50 99s, most of which are pre-WWII, but he has about seven that are newer.). No 'O's or 'Q's, and the letters went up to X (1970).

Though not all 1970 rifles have them, I don't think. Serial numbers aren't public, and anybody is free to start gathering them. Not sure that anybody wants to publish their sets. The post-1970 numbers are all mixed up with other Savage rifles, so it's not 99 specific. I'm sure you'll get lots of offers to help.

Danged vultures. - 10/15/11 Re: Savage 99 serial numbers [] Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 3 New Member New Member Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 3. Have bought a 99E in.308 from a friend. He got it from his father in law as a gift long ago.

Ser# 10141xx. Had a Savage 3-8x scope on it with tip overs. Scope zoom is a little sloppy, so I changed it with a Weaver C4xW wide-view that I've always liked.

He thought it was made around mid 60's. Does anyone have an idea. It has a 12M in a circle near the lever pivot. Thanks and I'm enjoying reading here as a newbie. Also any recommendations on a good 99 gunsmith in upstate NY for any future work needs?

I live near Fort Drum, NY. Thanks - 10/15/11 Re: Savage 99 serial numbers [] Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 11,022 Campfire 'Bwana Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 11,022. Hey long time reader on the forum first time poster. Ive been told this is the best place to ask this question about putting a rough date on my 99F, ive googled and come up with very vague and varying answers from 'made after 1891' to '1951 or older' and finally '1957' so i figure you guys got a better handle on this so ill let ya give it a go. Serial # 9508XX LBC 17I not%100 on the LBC as it was hard to make out thanks - 10/16/11 Re: Savage 99 serial numbers [] Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 12,546 Campfire 'Bwana Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 12,546.

Hi Guys, Can you help me date my.308 Savage 99C? I know, common question, but I've been to all the self help web sites, with no joy. Barrel indicates Model 99C series A and receiver serial number is C784903. I suspect fairly new, since blueing, barrel and wood look like it's been a safe queen. Appreciate any help. Course it has the clip, not rotary mag, factory tapped for scope, black plastic butt plate and grip cap. Hope that's suff info.

Much obliged, Lars - 10/17/11 Re: Savage 99 serial numbers [] Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 37,295 Campfire Oracle Campfire Oracle Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 37,295. For hunting, or for collecting? Many of the postmil 99's are perfectly good for hunting, though I'm not fond of many of the postmil features like impressed checkering, birchwood stocks, white line spacers, etc. On the other hand, many of the premil 99's aren't ideal for hunting by today's standards, not having monte carlo stocks, d&t for scopes, tang safeties for left-handed shooters, or sling studs. Free gerber omega composer download.

But, they were all hand made and each piece hand fitted. Overall better quality than the postmils. For collecting, there's no comparison. Premils are far more collectible than postmils. Given a choice, I'll go with a premil rifle every time.

Easy enough to find shooters that have been d&t'd and had sling studs added if you want those features. Not for collecting. If it proves accurate enough, the gun will go from safe queen to campfire tramp come next hunting season. Picked it up from an acquaintance, because the price was right, but would be excited if it'll hold a reasonable group at a hundred yards. When I bought it, I was going on the notion that Savage had a good rep for well made lever guns.