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LOT 3332
Rare and Desirable U.S. Army Model 1907 Savage Arms 45ACP Test Semi-
Automatic Pistol Serial Number 222 - Serial no. 222, 45 ACP cal., 4 inch round
bbl., blue finish, checkered walnut grips. This is a rare U.S. Martial “Test” pistol that
was manufactured by the Savage Arms Corporation circa 1907-1911 for the U.S.
military test trials. Based on the poor performance of the Colt Model 1894 during
the Philippine Insurrection, in January 1906 B.G. Crozier (Chief of Ordnance) issued
a letter of invitation to the gun manufacturing industry to develop and submit
a new semi-automatic handgun utilizing this new 45 ACP cartridge. Eighteen
companies initially responded with only eight actually submitting a test sample
pistol; with Savage and Colt being two of those companies. Ultimately this
competition resulted in the contract awarded to Colt for the Model 1907 pistol. In
total only 288 Savage .45 caliber automatic pistols were manufactured between
1907 and 1911, with this specific pistol being one held back in reserve and was not
issued to any specific unit for testing. The actual tests were conducted by the Army
between 1907 and 1911 with Colt being the ultimate winner. At the completion
of the 1911 competition several pistols were sold as a private sale to members of
the military, with a considerable number sold to the Tryon & Company where they
were refurbished/remarked and later sold as commercial pistols. This example
is not one of them as it retains its original
markings of “MANUFACTURED BY SAVAGE
ARMS CO. /UTICA N.Y. U.S.A.PAT.NOV.21.1905.”
on top of the barrel rib followed by “CAL .45”.
This example still retains the original thin/narrow
grip safety that is not integral to the rear of the frame and it does not have
the improved Model 1909 markings of “FIRE” and “SAFE” at the rear of the frame,
along with the wider checkered walnut grip panels. It is complete with one
replacement magazine serial numbered “88” and then later stamped “222” on the
upper rear of magazine. The back side of both grip panels, and on the underside of
the upper cocking piece are all numbered “222”.
CONDITION: Very fine with 85% of the original blue finish overall with edge and
high spot wear overall with oxidation and some slight browning on the grips
straps, with a very small pin-prick pitting spot on the right front side. The grips
are fine showing nice original distinct checkering on both sides with some minor
handling marks on the left side with general light wear across the tops of the
checkering. The only note is that it has replacement grips screws that are not the
right size. A very scarce original and unaltered Savage Model 1907 Test pistol.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
According to "U.S. Military
Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by
Meadows, only 288 Savage Model
1907 Test pistols were produced.