Daisy 499 vs. 499B

[Craig3R]

Hey guys. I thought I’d share a picture of my Daisy 499 side by side with my 499B. I have never seen another 499 available for sale in the many years I have looked at forums and web sites offering air guns for sale. So, I think it’s pretty rare. I have seen reference to a 499A but I don’t know what that might be. Anyway, if you have knowledge of the 499 please share it?  I believe it was first produced in 1976. Thanks

[GS]

Craig,
I had similar questions. Mark(aka Cobalt327) gave me the following information. I hope this helps.

“ The Model 499 (no suffix). was the first version single shot muzzleloader, and was a close relative to the Model 99 since it used the Model 99 trigger and frame. The main difference was the precision shot tube and the single shot feature. The stock was actually shared with some model 98s and the 454 pellet gun during that time frame (1976- '77). By 1978 they had gone to a wooden buttstock with the composite forearm, then all wood shortly thereafter when they became the 499A then 499B.”

[Goose]

Those are really interesting.  I had no idea!

Here's a review that taught me a lot. - https://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2013/03/shooting-the-daisy-avanti-champion-499-at-10-meters/

Ryde on,

J~

[Craig3R]

Thanks Greg, that information about the other Daisy models with plastic stocks makes perfect sense and explains the 1976 model of the 499. And Jeff : The 499 in my opinion really has its roots in the 1959 version of the model 99. That was the first year of the 99 and it was gravity fed as opposed to 1960+ models with the 50 shot tube. Daisy brought back that earliest (1959) model 99 with the introduction of the model 299 because it was fairly accurate. And then came the 499/499B.
One last question: I have a 499B with traditional open sights. No peep sights. This too seems very rare as I have seen only a few in my internet travels. Any idea on why these were produced?  To me, they make perfect sense. They are the best way to teach how to shoot with a V sight and post. And at the same time reward a youngster’s efforts with good scores.

[Craig3R]

499B with open sights:

[DanD]

That's cool! I have a later wood model with a peep. I didn't know there were versions with plastic stocks or buckhorn sights.

[Craig3R]

So based on the thread above and some additional research here is an unofficial timeline on the creation of the 499/499B:

1959-new model 99 gravity fed
1960-model 99 changed to 50 shot tube
1975-new model 299 gravity fed (Like model 99 made in 1959)
1976-model 299 last year
1976-New model 499 plastic stock and plastic forearm
1977-model 499 wood stock plastic forearm
1978-model 499B wood stock and wood forearm

[GS]

Craig,

Good information.

What about the 499A?

Did the 499 go to a wooden buttstock with the composite forearm in ‘77 or ‘78?

Did the 499A start in ‘78 or ‘79?
When did the 499A stop production and the 499B begin?

just curious if you know, Greg

[Craig3R]

Hey Greg,
I’m no expert on the 499 and that is why I called my timeline Unofficial. The changeovers could have spanned years.

Regarding the 499A; I think the jump was from 499 to 499B. However there are the occasional 499A stamped models that show up. Just last week on EBay I saw a 499A offered, and based on the photos it was definitely stamped with 499A but it looked NO different than a 499B. No explanation. Weird huh?

[Goose]

Hey Greg,
I’m no expert on the 499 and that is why I called my timeline Unofficial. The changeovers could have spanned years.

Regarding the 499A; I think the jump was from 499 to 499B. However there are the occasional 499A stamped models that show up. Just last week on EBay I saw a 499A offered, and based on the photos it was definitely stamped with 499A but it looked NO different than a 499B. No explanation. Weird huh?

You'd think that there would be more info available on them.  Daisy has a museum.  https://daisymuseum.com/  There's an email address listed there.  I wonder if they'd respond if contacted.

Ryde on,

J~