This Savage Model 1899 rifle showcases wonderful factory engraving by noted engraver Enoch Tue. Tue apprenticed with London gunmakers and was Savage's master engraver in the early 20th century. The receiver features full coverage floral scrollwork and fine vignettes depicting a crouching tiger in a mountain scene on the right side, two deer in similar scene on the left and large moose head on the underside. The lever has sweeping leaf and scroll patterns. Scrollwork extends to the rear section of the barrel and surrounds the caliber marking. The breechblock has sunken panels that are finely stippled and wavy line borders. The buttplate has the Savage Indian head logo in the center and engraved with light scrolls to match. Even the Lyman tang sight is engraved. The barrel also has the two-line address/patent dates marking on top, the two-line steel/model information on the left side just ahead of the scrollwork, a W.F. Sheard beaded blade front sight and a rear sight dovetail with filler block. The highly figured oil finished walnut stock features finely checkered panels at the receiver and profuse fancy checkering on the forearm and stock wrist. The accompanying factory letter states the rifle was sold to Al Howland, accepted on December 14, 1908, and shipped on December 15, 1908 with a 22 inch round barrel in .303 caliber, takedown configuration, shotgun butt, and fancy American stock.

Excellent, retaining 90% plus slightly thinned original blue finish with an area of loss on the barrel underside ahead of the forearm where a sling swivel appears to have been removed (hole filled) and the buttplate thinning to a brown. The engraving is crisp. 85% original case colors remain on the lever. The wood is very fine with a filled sling swivel hole near the toe, some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. The Rival Grade represented one the finest Model 1899 configurations Savage offered. An impressive must have for the Savage or fine firearms art collector.