Remington - Lee 1899 Sporting rifle?

[Harbisgirl]

I'm going through my late FIL's firearms and trying to identify this rifle. Some kind of vintage Remington bolt action rifle.. It says 30.40? I've never heard of that before but that's not saying much LOL I posted on another forum and they suggested that it could be a Remington - Lee 1899 Sporting rifle. Looks pretty similar in the pictures that I see online, except mine has some extra screws?
Also, can we nail down a manufacture date with the serial number? "F 76394".
Any info would be appreciated, thanks!

The left side of the receiver near the bolt says:
REMINGTON ARMS CO. | LION, N.Y.U.S.A F 76394

Further below, still left side, but along the side of the receiver:
PATENTED AUG.26th 1884. SEP'T 9TH 1884. MARCH 17TH 1885. JAN.18TH 1887

Underside of the barrel, near the forearm says:
30.40

Right side of the barrel in the corner where it meets the receiver has one marking, either an H or an M.

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I'm not an expert on this model but I can tell you the
extra screws on the left side of the receiver are for a
scope mount (probably an old Weaver side mound).

As you probably know, the magazine is missing (or at least
not pictured).

Good Luck!
Webb

[Harbisgirl]

Thanks Webb!

Yeah, the magazine is missing From what I've read, only 1500 were made so pretty slim chance of finding one ..

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

The other odd thing about your rifle is the caliber marking.
30-40 should stand for the 30-40 Krag. That was the standard
30 caliber round for the U.S. Army from 1892 until 1903.
Rifles made in that time frame were usually marked "30 US" or
"30 Gov." The need to differentiate the 30-40 from other
U.S. military calibers didn't become necessary until after
the adoption of the 30-03 (and later the 30-06). This
implies that your rifle was made in or after 1903 (though, I
am not an expert on this model).

Good Luck!
Webb

[marlinman93]

The magazine will be even tougher to find for the .30 caliber I think, as I see many more in .45-70 caliber than in .30-40. I've always wondered if a magazine for another Remington bolt action might be reworked to make it fit and function in a Lee?

[GeneM]

Your rifle is a Model 1899 Remington Lee Sporting Rifle, standard grade. The checkering for that grade is two points facing the action. I have record of at least one other Rem Lee drilled and tapped for a side mount scope. There were 1,446 Sporters shipped from the factory from 1899 to 1909. 1906 saw 77 shipped, 1907 - 9, 1908 - 2 and 1909 - 3. This info came from Sam Alvis Curator Remington Museum Feb 2, 1973. Serial numbers started at 75001 and best estimate is they went to 76446. Several sporters did leave the factory without a serial number as I had one. The highest serial number I observed in my research was 76348 so yours is a new high for me. Shipping date could be 1905 to 1909. About 3/4 of the serial numbers above 75650 have a "F" in front. The meaning of the "F" is not known. My rifle was stamped 30-40.

There were around 2,001 military pattern M1899 Remington Lees shipped to the Michigan National Guard. It is not known how many magazines were shipped with the Michigan Lee. The US Navy black powder M1885 Rem lees were shipped with 4 magazines and the issue web belt had pockets for 4 magazines. In any event the M1899 magazine is a rare bird but sometimes shows up in a dealers box of magazines. Some may have filler blocks in either front or rear to take up space for the shorter cartridges like the 30-30, 32 special or 38-55.

Gene

[Harbisgirl]

Great info, thank you so much Gene! I appreciate it

[Gerard488]

I have been told that those rifles came with 4 magazines. I'm not sure if this is correct, I got 4 with mine.

[toot]

extra side screws, definitely for a side mount.

[GUFFEY]

I just purchased an 1899 Sporter in 30/40 Krag. I bought this from an older gentleman who said his grandfather bought it new in either Colorado or New Mexico around the turn of the century. The rifle is in original, unaltered condition, has about 50-70% finish on the metal, the stock looks like it has the original finish and the gun looks mechanically excellent. The bore is near perfect. The only flaw that I can see is a chip in the stock at the tang which I understand is common with these rifles. The barrel is marked 30 U.S.A. in front of the leaf sight. There is no serial number visible on the action but 879 is stamped on parts of the bolt so I assume that's it.. Question: Is it possible to date this gun and what would be a guess as to it's value. It really is a gem. Appreciate any information I can get. Thanks. I'm trying to figure out how to attach pics.

[jon_norstog]

Fr years I had a "sporterized" Rem-Lee in 30-40. It was in good condition but some so-and-so had tried to make a 30-40 improved out of it by sticking a drill bit into the chamber. I bought the rifle at Ron Peterson's shop in Albuquerque and he reluctantly agreed to have the rifle repaired by Jim Bedeaux. Anyway I did get it back and found that it would shoot just fine with .308 starting loads - the 2-lug bolt head is nickel steel and the action has two safety lugs. WTH!

I think this was one of the original military rifles that never sold. No serial number anywhere on the gun.

The only hangup with the rifle was the half-cock safety which meant you could not get off a snap shot unless you carried the gun with the safety off. It was ok for hunting from a stand, so I gave it to a teen-ager, along with a box of 150 grn deer loads. He's in the USAF now. I think the gun is gone.

The removable box magazine was its best feature.

jn

[Ronald Garrett]

I just bought a Remington Lee 1899 and I’m very curious about it. It’s serial number is 76043. It has a 27 1/2” barrel, Lyman diopter sight and it looks factory installed, and it’s chambered in 9.3x62 mm. Does anybody know where I could get more information on this rifle?