Make: Savage Arms

Model: Model 1899

Serial Number: 186450

Year of Manufacture: 1916

Caliber: .32-40 Winchester 

Action Type: Lever-Action, Fed by Rotary Internal Magazine

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “SAVAGE ARMS CO. UTICA, N.Y. U.S.A. / PAT. FEB.7.1893. JULY 25.1893. OCT.3.1893.” The left barrel flat is marked “32-40”. The upper tang is marked “SAVAGE HI-PRESSURE STEEL / MODEL 1899”. The underside of the receiver is marked with the serial number “186450”.

Barrel Length: 26” half Octagonal barrel.

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into the barrel. The rear sight is a semi-buckhorn elevator leaf with ramp dovetailed into the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a straight grip, perch-belly and crescent steel buttplate. The LOP measures 13” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The wood shows scattered small nicks, minor bruises, finish wear, and handling marks throughout. There is no visible cracking or structural damage. The stock rates in about Good overall condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: The rifle has a fixed rotary internal magazine in Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray, the rifling is mostly sharp. There is moderate visible erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows general handling wear, edge thinning, areas of scattered finish loss, and freckling along the receiver and lever. There are light tool marks and pinprick pitting around the tangs and upper receiver edges. The screw heads are lightly tooled with serviceable slots. The pins are clean. The markings are sharp and legible. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Savage Model 1899 was one of the most innovative lever-action rifles of its time and remains an icon of American firearms engineering. Introduced as an improvement over the earlier Model 1895, the 1899 brought several groundbreaking features to the market, including a rotary magazine, cocking indicator, and the ability to safely use pointed bullets—unlike most tubular-magazine rifles of the era.

This particular rifle, serial number 186450, was manufactured in 1916 and is chambered in .32-40 Winchester, a classic black powder-era cartridge that transitioned smoothly into smokeless powder loads. It features a 26” octagon barrel, desirable for its classic appearance and enhanced accuracy potential. The rifle still retains 65% of its original blued finish and has a sharp bore with clean mechanics, making it a fine example for antique collectors or early lever-action enthusiasts.

Whether you’re looking to add a legitimate antique to your collection or appreciate the fine craftsmanship of 19th-century American arms, this Savage Model 1899 offers a historic and functional option that bridges the gap between old-world elegance and modern innovation.