I recently purchased what I thought to be a Savage Model 29 .22 rifle. When it arrived today, I noticed that the markings on the octagonal barrel shows it to be a Model 29 manufactured in Utica, NY. The left-side receiver plate is marked with "Savage 29a". I don't know much about the Savage .22's but were the 29a's marked with "Model 29" on the barrel or would it indicate that the rifle has been re-barreled at some point in time with a Model 29 barrel? I haven't taken it apart to clean it just yet but thought I would pose the question here for folks with more knowledge of these old Savage .22's. The front underneath of the receiver is serial numbered 14434 L and the butt stock and forearm furniture is checkered. I haven't checked the other serial numbers yet. Along with my question, any information about my rifle would be appreciated. I'll post pictures as soon as I can get an opportunity to take some. Thanks for your help in advance.
Savage Model 29 or 29a
Mauserhooked
21 - 27 of 27 Posts
Joined
·
190 Posts
Dennis, 4B would be 1950 and your gun has a forearm that was introduced in 1952, these stamps are sometimes hard to read, I think it is more likely an E or F for 1953 or 1954. They started grooving the receivers for scope mounts later in 1954 which is another indicator of year but your pictures do not show if your gun is grooved or not. Here's a link to a pictures showing changes in 29-B's with the years - http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps5d43013d.jpg
Joined
·
342 Posts
Yep, it is grooved.
If it indeed a '54, pop probably got a good deal on it. I was 3 in '57, so I can't really say. I sure do love his foresight...
BTW, I need an original rear sight blade and leaf. It was removed a long time ago for a scopeing, lost now.
Dennis
If it indeed a '54, pop probably got a good deal on it. I was 3 in '57, so I can't really say. I sure do love his foresight...
BTW, I need an original rear sight blade and leaf. It was removed a long time ago for a scopeing, lost now.
Dennis
Joined
·
1,962 Posts
thank you all for the photos guys , that really helps me understand what is being discussed , that is a wonderful looking rifle , i dont have that one yet - but it is now on my list
Hello Gene or any that can help. I have a beat-up model 29 that is complete and shoots fine. It's all in a patina finish
and the stock is pretty beat-up. Serial number 1409-- has the letter L right under it. It's located in front on the receiver
right under the barrel. Question I have is. Will I hurt the value if any if I refinish the stock and re-blue the rest ?
Thank for any reply.
John
The 29 is a completely different rifle inside from the later 29A / 29B.
The 29 was a StdVel ammo only rifle when introd. Later in production Savage modified the bolt to upgrade it to 'High Speed (ammo). But most people still use them with StdVel stuff.
The easy way to tell the earlier 29 from the later 29A is the 29 has it's slide release as part of the recv'r and it stays with the upper when the rifle is TD's. Also the small arc to the thumb piece of that part with the serrations faces to the muzzle.
On the 29A/29B, the part is shaped differently. It is attached to and stays with the lower unit when the rifle is DT'd and the arc and serrations face the rear.
There's other things like screw and pin placements or lack of them but that's any easy way to look and see.
The Model 29 wasn't made too awful long. The Model 29A took it's place. The 29B is just the 29A with grooved recv't for 'scope tipoff mounts.
A 29G (grooved) was cataloged but I don't think any were actually marked that way, or so I've been told.
The 29A/B will handle HS ammo just fine.
Parts for the older Model 29 are few and are $$ and hard to find. Parts for the later 29A/B are much more available.
The 29 was also made under the Stevens brand as the Model 75 I believe,,might be wrong on the Model.
As far as the Model 29 marked bbl being on a Model 29A,,I wouldn't doubt the factory put it on there when built. It may have been something as simple as the old roll die being used for a time to mark bbls while a worn or broken 29A die was being replaced. I don't know if the 29 and 29A bbls interchange or do with a small alteration to the bbl breech face but I also wouldn't be surprised at that either.
I have a nice Model 29 Deluxe but marked as a 'Ranger'. Sold probably by Mont Wards. It has original tang peep sight, & a folding leaf rear sight. I think these were a Model 30S (special) under the Ranger models. A Savage would be a Model 29S.
StdVel only of course and a very accurate rifle. With it's Ranger markings it went unwanted at an OGCA show. I bought it for $300 which I think the sights are probably worth near that. Most people guessed it was a MArlin of some obscure Model. But no one was interested in buying it.
Also have a Model 29A and a Western Field branded 29A Both excellent shooters dispite their rather worn looks and aftermarket D&T jobs to the left sides. The W/Field came with a nifty 3/4" tube Redfield 2 1/2X installed. Probably the better part of the deal!
The 29 was a StdVel ammo only rifle when introd. Later in production Savage modified the bolt to upgrade it to 'High Speed (ammo). But most people still use them with StdVel stuff.
The easy way to tell the earlier 29 from the later 29A is the 29 has it's slide release as part of the recv'r and it stays with the upper when the rifle is TD's. Also the small arc to the thumb piece of that part with the serrations faces to the muzzle.
On the 29A/29B, the part is shaped differently. It is attached to and stays with the lower unit when the rifle is DT'd and the arc and serrations face the rear.
There's other things like screw and pin placements or lack of them but that's any easy way to look and see.
The Model 29 wasn't made too awful long. The Model 29A took it's place. The 29B is just the 29A with grooved recv't for 'scope tipoff mounts.
A 29G (grooved) was cataloged but I don't think any were actually marked that way, or so I've been told.
The 29A/B will handle HS ammo just fine.
Parts for the older Model 29 are few and are $$ and hard to find. Parts for the later 29A/B are much more available.
The 29 was also made under the Stevens brand as the Model 75 I believe,,might be wrong on the Model.
As far as the Model 29 marked bbl being on a Model 29A,,I wouldn't doubt the factory put it on there when built. It may have been something as simple as the old roll die being used for a time to mark bbls while a worn or broken 29A die was being replaced. I don't know if the 29 and 29A bbls interchange or do with a small alteration to the bbl breech face but I also wouldn't be surprised at that either.
I have a nice Model 29 Deluxe but marked as a 'Ranger'. Sold probably by Mont Wards. It has original tang peep sight, & a folding leaf rear sight. I think these were a Model 30S (special) under the Ranger models. A Savage would be a Model 29S.
StdVel only of course and a very accurate rifle. With it's Ranger markings it went unwanted at an OGCA show. I bought it for $300 which I think the sights are probably worth near that. Most people guessed it was a MArlin of some obscure Model. But no one was interested in buying it.
Also have a Model 29A and a Western Field branded 29A Both excellent shooters dispite their rather worn looks and aftermarket D&T jobs to the left sides. The W/Field came with a nifty 3/4" tube Redfield 2 1/2X installed. Probably the better part of the deal!
Joined
·
190 Posts
The Model 29 was made into 1938 and based on observed serial numbers the production would have been around 51,000 which includes house brands. Ranger was a brand name for Sears & Roebuck. You are correct that the Stevens 75 was a version of the Model 29 action with some very minor differences that appear done to reduce production costs.
All early 29-A's I've observed have the old Model 29 stamp on the barrel with the -A looking like it was added.
The 29B was introduced in 1950 but did not get a grooved receiver until sometime in 1954. The catalog did refer to the grooved guns as the Model 29-G but you are correct that this was never stamped on the guns, they were still marked Model 29-B. Changes from the 29-A were the elimination of holes in the tang for a peep sight and the lower/rear receiver got a different finish from the rest of the receiver giving them a two tone look, it also appears to be a cheaper process with a dull matte look to it and seems to wear off much faster than the finish on other parts.
John, looking at the pictures of your gun I would leave it as is, I think it has 'character' the way it is and it looks like a refinish would not be able to cover all the problems. Refinished guns never look right to me, I don't mind an old gun looking old, some of the favorite guns I have are older guns with wear and aging.
All early 29-A's I've observed have the old Model 29 stamp on the barrel with the -A looking like it was added.
The 29B was introduced in 1950 but did not get a grooved receiver until sometime in 1954. The catalog did refer to the grooved guns as the Model 29-G but you are correct that this was never stamped on the guns, they were still marked Model 29-B. Changes from the 29-A were the elimination of holes in the tang for a peep sight and the lower/rear receiver got a different finish from the rest of the receiver giving them a two tone look, it also appears to be a cheaper process with a dull matte look to it and seems to wear off much faster than the finish on other parts.
John, looking at the pictures of your gun I would leave it as is, I think it has 'character' the way it is and it looks like a refinish would not be able to cover all the problems. Refinished guns never look right to me, I don't mind an old gun looking old, some of the favorite guns I have are older guns with wear and aging.
21 - 27 of 27 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
