Below are the steps to properly configure a permanent (301) URL rewrite with Magento CE 1.9.
- Navigate to Catalog > URL Management
- Edit the URL for the existing category and set the Redirect value to Permanent (301). Then choose Save.
- Back at the URL Management screen. Click the Add URL Rewrite button.
- Choose Custom from the drop down menu.
- Enter the ID Path (desired path), request path (original path) and target path (desired path). Also, select Permanent (301) for the redirect. Reference the image below. Choose Save.
- You now have a Permanent (301) URL rewrite. Congrats.