Best model kits Savage 99 rifle

[cobraman]

This is a 1/3 scale model of the Savage 99 lever action rifle . Bought it on eBay about a week ago . I bid the opening bid but never expected to win . No other bidders so I won it . It was in the wrong category and I just stumbled upon it . Box is in great condition and the parts are still sealed in bags . No date that I can find anywhere . If anyone knows when this may have been manufactured I would sure like to know . 

[unclescott58]

Interesting. And very cool. Sorry to say I have no info on the kit. I too am hoping somebody here has some knowledge on the history of the kit. 

 

[Mike999]

Along with the internet, I checked several old scale model books. Those kits are rare and information about them is pretty thin. 

Best Model Kits made 6 gun models in 1/3 scale: your Savage Repeating Rifle Model 1899; Winchester Model 94; Stevens 311 Double Barrel Shotgun; Mannlicher-Schoenauer Sporting Carbine Improved Model 1952; Browning Automatic Shotgun; and Remington Wingmaster Model 870.

Best Model Kits must have been out of business by 1959.  Between 1959-61 Aurora re-issued 3 of their gun kits:  the Savage, Winchester and Mannlicher-Schoenauer.  That's about all I could find out.  I'd like to have the 2 shotgun kits, just for fun.

[cobraman]

Thanks guys. Based on some info on one of the other guns in this group I believe this was mid 50's.

[Snake45]

Wow, very cool! So rare I've never even HEARD of these models or the company that made them. Amazing! 

[cobraman]

Neither did I Snake till I stumbled across this one. 24.00 including the shipping ! How could I not buy it ? I suspect if it was listed correctly it may have gone higher. Probably won't ever build it but nice to have.

[Hi-Po]

WOW!  You got one helluva deal on that kit at $24.00, shipping included.  I have seen that kit go for $100 or more, at several model contests over the years. 

Back in the mid 80's, I was able to pick up the two rifle kits in the photo, from a hobby shop in Oregon that was closing up due to the death of the owner.  If memory serves me right, I paid $5.00 a piece for them.  They are both complete and unstarted.  At this time, I have no intentions of building either one.  As far as date of issue, I was not able to find a date on the box or instruction sheet for the Savage 99.  On the box and instruction sheet for the Aurora Mannlicher-Schoenauer, the issue date is 1959.

I did some research on the kits using the old John W. Burns The Collectors Value Guide for Scale Model Plastic Kits, the seventh edition, 1999.  He states in there that Aurora acquired the Best molds sometime in the mid 50's and issued only three of the kits.  These were the Mannlicher-Schoenauer, Savage 99 and the Winchester 94.  He also states that the molds for the other three kits: the Stevens Shotgun, Browning Shotgun and the Remington Shotgun, may never have been produced.  This could be very true as I have never seen any of the shotgun kits in all of the years that I have been going to contests, swap meets, garage sales, etc.  I have friends that are amazed when I show them the kits, as they have never seen them before either.

Hope this gives you a little more info on the kits.  Enjoy your great find.

Terry

  

[cobraman]

Thanks for the info. I really thought my opening bid on this kit would never hold and was shocked when it was. I doubt I will ever build it and in all my years of hunting model kits in thrift stores and on line shopping this is the first one I ever came across. Never knew these kits were ever out there.