The rifle was extremely popular with big game hunters and was even issued to the Montreal Home Guard during the First World War.

[6] Similarly, the Model 1895 musket won a contract for arming the Mexican Army in 1897, but again had to cancel - this time due to lack of a factory to produce the rifles.

[7] After changes to the Model 1899 receiver and internals in 1908, Savage would no longer work on 1895's or pre-1909 1899's and would instead offer to sell a new rifle at discounted price.

During World War I, the Montreal Home Guard was issued Model 1899 rifles in "musket" form, which incorporated a bayonet lug and military-style stock.

[8][9] These rifles were chambered in .303 Savage, as altering the design for the Canadian standard .303 British Mk VII cartridge would have resulted in an unacceptable delay in delivery.

The pointed tips of a spitzer bullet would touch the primer of the cartridge in front of it, possibly causing an accidental discharge.

On early Model 1899's this changed to a tab on top of the bolt which raised up when the rifle was cocked and could be visually seen or easily felt by touch; and in 1908 it changed to a small pin which would protrude above the top of the receiver to indicate the rifle was cocked and ready to fire.

[4][9] By the end of production, Savage had sold the 99 family in 58 different models and special grade configurations.