May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
These rare pistols were the finalist competitor against Colt in the 1911 handgun trials that ultimately spawned the long-lived Colt 1911. After some initial hiccups and pruning of the field, Colt and the Savage went head to head with the Colt ultimately winning due to better accuracy, reliability, and lower recoil (incidentally, Savage's heavier recoil also led to several parts breakages and malfunctions). This example is one of the examples that is recorded as being issued to Troop I, 3rd Cavalry Regiment stationed at Fort Wingate, New Mexico during the trials. After the trials, Savage bought back the vast majority of the guns, reblued them, and offered them commercially. This example is one of the commercial offerings with only remaining legend on rib simply reading "CAL .45" and rolled "SAVAGE ARMS CORP, UTICA, N.Y. U.S.A." offset rib. Matching serial numbers observed in the track on inside of slide, underside of breechblock, underside of rear sight/ejector, bottom of barrel ramp, and inside front lip of frame. Grips are numbered "195" inside of right scale and "71" inside of left, magazine marked "189" on bottom of spine, slide release marked "158". Other features include pinned front sight, safety marked "SAFE" horizontally and "FIRE" vertically, grip safety, magazine release on front strap, case colored trigger, 2-piece checkered walnut grips, and foldable lanyard loop. Accompanied by a letter from Savage indicating shipment from Savage's Utica plant to E.K. Tryon on August 31st, 1922. CONDITION: Very good, with the dull Tryon finish turning an even mixture of gunmetal grey and chocolate brown throughout. Barrel has even spotting, while frame mostly has spotting around grips. Some minor marks from handling and storage, most offensive on left side of slide. Case colors on trigger good, with a few spots of vibrancy, magazine release with only flashes and one large (relatively) spot of patination. Left grip very good, solid, right grip has a hairline crack measuring approximately 1 - 7/8" from bottom and a much smaller 3/8" crack at top. Magazine is very good, polished, with some striations and handling marks from polishing and very light spotting on left side. Mechanics are very good, grip safety does not work as it should, bore has heavily softened rifling and minor oxidation throughout. A desirable example of a very rare military firearm. EMW