Magnificent Carved and Engraved Savage Model 1899 Rifle
serial #13.559, 303 Savage, 26" part round part octagon barrel with a very good bright bore. The factory letter that accompanies this rifle shows it being delivered on December 21, 1900 to Enoch Tue, who was the factory engraver at the time for the Savage Arms Company. The factory letter does not mention any embellishments and actually states that this rifle shipped with a round barrel. This is obviously an extremely high-grade rifle that Tue took on as a freelance project. The engraving pattern is similar to that of Savage's "F" grade engraving which features full coverage scroll with game scenes including on belly of action. The engraving depicts a large walking bear on left flat with mountainous background, walking bull Moose on belly and two deer in panel scene right, again with mountainous background. The entire top of action is very finely stippled with a wedge of engraving leading back from bolt. The carving of the stocks is truly the most spectacular part of this rifle, it is as fancy or fancier than the carving on Savage's Monarch guns, the most expensive guns they offered. The carving depicts relief floral scroll with hearts and leaf motifs on forend and sides of wrist. The carved panel scenes on either side are simply fabulous with a dog chasing a deer right panel and a deer with trees standing on the edge of the lake with the mountains and birds in flight and background on right panel. The buttplate features full coverage scroll engraving on top tang and is completely and very finely knurled on entire rear surface. The rifle has gold inlays consisting of its serial number and a single band at forward most portion of buttplate tang. The only thing more one could ask for would be better condition. The barrel retains about 70% original blue finish with some scattered areas of light surface oxidation present. The action is a smooth gray brown patina and is free of pitting. The stocks retain perhaps 90% of their original finish. There is a repair at toe of a buttstock utilizing an added piece of walnut and there is a small stress crack at either side of the lower tang. These cracks are sound and could likely be made to disappear by a proper professional restoration. There has been no attempt to fix the cracks, they are small and don't affect the overall soundness of the stock. The pistol grip cap has a silver plate tacked over its bottom which is engraved "H. F. / Zimmermann / Sauquoit / NY". Sauquoit is about 10 miles from Utica, one would surmise that Zimmermann and Tue knew each other and that is how this rifle came to exist. The buttstock and forend are both numbered "12667", the buttplate is numbered "13559". These numbers are close to each other and based on the way this rifle was ordered and built there are many explanations for this. Upon viewing the rifle we are certain people will be comfortable that this rifle is in the same configuration it has been since it was delivered to Zimmermann. A truly magnificent and unique, very high grade Savage rifle. (2445-1) {C&R} (8000/12,000) SOLD FOR $20,125.00 |
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