Page 45 - 4094-BOOK3

LOT 3045
Rare Documented New York Show Shipped
Factory Panel Scene Engraved Savage Model 1899A
Deluxe Lever Action Rifle in .303 Savage with Factory
Letter, as Pictured in “Savage Model 1895, 1899 & 99
Rifles Volume 2, Engraved and Special-Feature Models”
- Serial no. 24.411, 303 savage cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue
finish, deluxe walnut stock. Offered here is a rare and highly
attractive factory Grade B panel scene engraved Savage
Model 1899A rifle, manufactured in 1902 according to the
production chart on page 134 of the book “A Collector’s
Guide to the Savage 99 Rifle” (2016) by David Royal. This exact
rifle is described and depicted in various pictures on pages
212-214 of “Savage Model 1895, 1899 & 99 Rifles Volume 2,
Engraved and Special-Feature Models” (2022) by David Royal.
The included Savage factory letter, dated
October 9, 2013 and addressed from John T.
Callahan, states in relation to this rifle by serial
number, “The entry tells us that this rifle was
manufactured in caliber .303 Savage with a round barrel, shotgun
butt stock. The firearm was completed and accepted from the factory
to the warehouse at Savage’s Utica, New York facility on July 1, 1901.
Following acceptance it was shipped on March 4, 1902 to the ‘New
York Show’. There are no other entries for additional shipments or
disposition. This rifle was apparently used as an office sample. From
the information provided, this rifle is a Model 1899-A Standard
Weight Rifle.” Performed by the hand of Savage’s skilled in-house
engraver Enoch Tue, this rifle features high quality engraving on both
sides of the receiver consisting of floral scroll patterns surrounding
circular scenes of a deer on the left and a doe on the right. Relevant
information and a few other similar examples of Enoch Tue engraved rifles
can also be found on pages 33-35 of Royal’s 2016 published book. Dovetail mounted beaded blade front sight and dovetail
mounted two-leaf rear sight on the barrel with Savage Arms Co. Utica, N.Y. address, 1893 patent dates and “CAL. .303” markings, a flip-up adjustable peep sight mounted on top of the
receiver, cartridge counter on the left of the receiver, right hand thumb safety, and a blank steel buttplate.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% original blue finish with a noticeable patch of brown patina on the receiver, 60% original case colors on the lever, with sharp engraving. Wood is also very fine
with distinct edges, attractive grain, a few light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The David Royal Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
As pictured & described in
Savage Rifles, Vol. II by Royal
43