GUN SPRING 2018
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/21/2018
RARE SAVAGE FACTORY CUT AWAY RIFLE WITH COPY OF SAVAGE FACTORY LETTER. SAVAGE 1899 51779 303SAVAGE MODERN; C&R Cal. 303 SAVAGE. 22" rnd bbl, full blue finish. Straight grain American walnut stocks with steel shotgun buttplate. Adjustable tang sight. Knife blade front sight; sporting rear sight. Bbl shows 2-line Savage address and patent mark rolled in front of rear sight. "SAVAGE HI-PRESSURE STEEL / MODEL 1899" is rolled on left side next to rear sight. Cal. designation on top of bbl at breech. SN appears on bottom of frame in front of lever. Buttplate shows Savage logo at toe. This rifle is a factory cut-away model which allows one to see the function of the action as it operates. This type of firearm was used as a demonstrator for dealers and gunsmiths to help them understand the operation of the firearm by exposing the mechanics. The rifle receiver has been cut-away on both sides to show the operation of the rotary magazine and the stock has been cut-away to show the operation of the lever, bolt and sear mechanism. A copy of a Roe S. Clark factory letter, dated July 18, 1995, is included with this rifle. The letter states that the rifle was originally shipped as a 25-35 Cal. with a 22" bbl and shotgun butt. It was accepted from the factory on April 24, 1905 and shipped to Harry C. Haynes, then returned and re-shipped several times. The actual ledger entry shows that the rifle was "cut open action". Likely a gun with ongoing issues relegated to service as a sales sample. PROVENANCE: Ex-Wes Adams Estate Collection. The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world; The spectacular collections of Ray Bentley featuring the finest and rarest deluxe antique Winchesters in the world. CONDITION: Very good overall. Bbl retains most of the orig blue finish with some handling marks and scratches overall. Sights very good. Markings are clear. Address, patent and Cal. marks are slightly washed out in the middle. Bore is frosty with strong rifling. Receiver retains 50% of orig blue with balance drifting to a plum/brown and some slight scratches overall. Markings are sharp. Lever retains generous remains of case color. Tang sight retains a generous amount of blue. Stocks are very good and show most of the varnish finish with handling marks overall. There are some small water stains at the butt. Buttplate is a silver/grey patina. Mechanics are crisp. Here's your chance to purchase a rarely seen example of a factory cut-away Savage Model 1899 rifle that exhibits the gun maker's genius! 53094-87 LM26 (5,000-8,000)