1214 SCARCE SAVAGE MODEL 1907 U.S. TEST TRIALS

SOLD
16,875.00USD
This item SOLD at 2024 Oct 31 @ 12:53UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 5,000.00 USD
Estimated at 10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
TRIALS SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 45 ACP. S# 166. Bbl. 5 3/8". Exceptionally scarce (one of approx. 288) Model 1907 semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP mfg. by Savage for the military test trials. The trials were brought about notably by the U.S. Army's experience during the Philippine Insurrection, where they noted the lackluster performance and stopping power of the their current .38 caliber revolvers. While the Model 1907 and its further iterations performed well during the trials, it ultimately lost out to the (now) iconic Colt Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol. This example is marked "MANUFACTURED BY SAVAGE ARMS CO./ UTICA N.Y. U.S.A. PAT.NOV.21.1905," followed by "CAL.45" over the top of the solid bbl. rib, indicating that it was not returned to Savage, refurbished, and then sold off commercially. The left side of the frame bears no "SAFE" and "FIRE" markings, as these markings were requested after initial testing had already begun and were added to later produced examples that were sent by Savage to replace the pistols that had been "lost" in transit after testing. The frame, slide, and bolt assembly exhibit a professionally reapplied blue finish overall, while the trigger exhibits a case color hardened finish. Mag. release is blued. Bbl. is polished in-the-white. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered wood grips. Half-moon blade front sight, with U-notch rear sight. Butt of frame features a unique pinned lanyard loop, which, when the mag. is removed, can pivot into a slot inside the frame. Matching numbers are present on the frame and rear sight/extractor. Slide is numbered "8" and bolt assembly is numbered "201", with the slide release lever and grips being numbered "73". Left grip panel appears to be of contemporary production, with the "73" stamped on the interior being notably larger than on the right grip. Bbl. is unnumbered. The frame's S# is not listed on page 261 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Scott Meadows. MAGS: 1 unnumbered 8-rd. nickel-plated mag. CONDITION: fine, with metal components retaining bountiful amounts of their professionally reapplied blue finish, exhibiting areas of light to mild edge wear, gentle thinning that lightly shows through to brown patina, some superficial marks and a few dings from handling and storage, as well as areas of very light surface level oxidation and pitting overall. Frame exhibits a few scattered spots of mild surface oxidation. Grip safety exhibits wear through to a gray patina, with scattered spots of darker age-related discoloration. Trigger retains large amounts of what appears to be its original case color hardened finish, with some surface oxidation present on the sides, and with the front face having largely worn through to a gray patina. Bbl. is very good, exhibiting areas of age-related discoloration as well as areas of hardened grease overall. Very bright bore, exhibiting mild levels of pitting while retaining well-defined rifling throughout. Grips are very good, showing smoothing and some scattered handling marks, with the right grip exhibiting a hairline crack on the interior of the panel. Of the approx. 288 examples produced, a large percentage of these pistols were either destroyed during testing or were reported as "lost" during transit, all the more increasing their scarcity today. (24-4035/MLW). CURIO. $10,000-15,000.