Manufactured in 1912, this is a factory engraved example of a Savage Model 1899 lever action rifle that is inscribed to trick shooter Captain Jack O'Connell. From Newago County, Michigan, Jack O'Connell was deaf by the age of 16 and was inspired to become a marksman after meeting legendary trick shooter and inventor of the diving horse attraction Doc Carver. A self-proclaimed "crack shot," O'Connell gained the attention of famed showman Buffalo Bill and for a short period of time toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West. He later became a spokesman for Hopkins & Allen. It was through Hopkins & Allen that a customer could receive O'Connell's book "My First Rifle and the Story of How I Became a Crack Shot" for free with the purchase of a company catalog. The receiver has a scrollwork engraving that incorporates an engraved band and leaf motif on the chamber. A lighter scroll motif appears on the underside and top of the receiver. The underside of the receiver has the engraved scrollwork above and below the name "CAPTAIN JACK O'CONNELL." The rifle is equipped with a pinned German blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight and a cocking indictor on the upper tang. The barrel is marked with the two-line address on top, ".303 SAVAGE" on the left side at the breech and the one-line steel marking on the right side at the breech. The nicely figured forearm and pistol grip stock feature multi-point checkering with additional checkering on the stock flats, shotgun buttplate with expanded compartment and sling eyelets with makeshift leather sling. The large buttstock cavity contained a cleaning bore snake. According to the consignor, her dad purchased this rifle in Bemidji, Minnesota, from either Buffalo Bill or Captain Jack O'Connell and had the rifle configuration changed from a trick shooter to a hunting rifle at a local gun shop.

Very fine. The rifle retains 80% plus original blue finish showing thinning to a gray. Traces of original case colors remain on the lever. The wood is fine showing some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.