Groove diameter of Savage 38-55's??

[Eric in NC]

Looking at an "altered" 1899 in 38-55 (so it fits into my price range!).  Just for info - were Savage bores on 38-55s .375, .377, .379 or...?  Just need to know if I will need another sizer and possibly mold if I get this rifle.

Also - were the 38-55 barrels up to jacketed bullets or were the like the early Winchester 94s (steel ok for lead only in the BP chamberings like 32-40 and 38-55 and ok for jacketed only in the smokeless rounds?).   

[Mad Dog]

Don't leave me hanging, whats altered on it?

Not sure about the jacketed question, I've only shot lead out of my 38-55's but thats cause I've got a couple boxes of old shells that are lead and I wanna get rid of them. I have shot jacketed bullets out of my 1899 in 32-40 though with no problems!

[Eric in NC]

Barrel shortened to 22", non-Savage sights (looks like a Lyman dovetailed front sight and a Remington 22 rifle rear sight), stock refinished.

Went on and picked it up as a shooter (great looking bore) because it was under 400.  SN is 100,253.  It is a takedown but I can't get the barrel to come out (it does look like a takedown barrel though - not a solid frame screwed in).  Will try some kroil and gentle persuasion this week.

[Mad Dog]

Crescent butt or shotgun butt? Could be a model 1899A Short Rifle in a T/D model. I have an 1899A SR in 38-55 myself but it's a solid frame.

The barrel will have an arrow and say "off" if it's a take down barrel.

[Eric in NC]

Shotgun butt - barrel doesn't have arrows but I have at least one take down (303 rifle SN in 129,000 range) that doesn't have an arrow on the barrel (I think I have a 22 hi power that doesn't have one either?).

[Mad Dog]

Eric, if it's got a shotgun style butt it's most likely an 1899A Short Rifle and they came factory with 22" bbls. Sure it's been cut?

Here's my 38-55's. The top one is my short rifle, and it's lettered as such.

The bottom one is an 1899C (1/2 oct, 1/2 round bbl).

Does yours look like the top one?

[Eric in NC]

Eric, if it's got a shotgun style butt it's most likely an 1899A Short Rifle and they came factory with 22" bbls. Sure it's been cut?

Here's my 38-55's. The top one is my short rifle, and it's lettered as such.

The bottom one is an 1899C (1/2 oct, 1/2 round bbl).

Does yours look like the top one?

Yes - except take down and I thought the front sight setup looked like it had been placed there after the barrel was shortend - doesn't look "Savage factory" (were the front sights on those blades pinned to studs that were part of the barrel like most old Savages or are they dovetailed like a more modern rifle - can't tell from your pic)?

[Mad Dog]

No, Savage never made a barrel in 38-55 with an integral front sight. They were all german rocky mountain style front sights. German silver in a dovetail mount. Should dovetail into the front of the barrel. Sounds like it ain't been cut anyways. You have any pics of it?