Page 60 - 4094-BOOK2

LOT 1061
Excellent Savage Model 1899 .250-3000 Lever
Action Takedown Rifle with Factory Letter, Case,
and Ammunition Box - Serial no. 234976, 250-3000
SAV cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured in 1921 according to the production
chart on page 134 of the book “A Collector’s Guide to
the Savage 99 Rifle” (2016) by David Royal, although
the included factory letter indicates it was more likely
manufactured in late 1920. The included Savage
factory letter, dated April 9, 2014 and addressed
from John T. Callahan, states in relation to this rifle
by serial number, “The record books tell us that your
rifle was originally built in caliber .250-3000 Savage
and that it was accepted from the Savage factory
to the warehouse in Utica, New York on October
20, 1920. The shipping department forwarded it on
February 25, 1921 to the original consignee listed as
the E.K. Tryon Co. of Philadelphia, PA. From the information, the model which you have is the ‘MODEL 1899 .250-3000 SAVAGE RIFLE’. These were
a take-down model first introduced in 1914 as a deluxe Model 1899 specially developed to introduce the then new .250-3000 cartridge.” The
letter further indicates that this specific model was discontinued in 1921, with this example offered being a late production specimen with a serrated trigger unlike some other
examples of this model seen with checkered triggers.
LOT 1060
Rare Documented Antique Factory Panel Scene Engraved Savage Model
1895 Deluxe Special Order Lever Action Rifle, Shipped to Colorado Gold Mine Owner Winfield Stratton,
with Factory Letter, as Pictured in “Savage Model 1895, 1899 & 99 Rifles Volume 2, Engraved and Special-Feature
Models” - Serial no. 4424, 303 savage cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, deluxe walnut stock. Offered
here is rare factory panel scene engraved Savage Model 1895 lever action rifle, one of only between 9 to 11 total Model
1895s believed to have been engraved by the Ulrich brothers, John and Conrad, per information provided from David Royal.
Manufactured c. 1895-1896, with Savage Model 1895s found in the approximate low 3000 to low 8000 serial range according
to information at the top of page 134 in the book “A Collector’s Guide to the Savage 99 Rifle” (2016) by David Royal. This
exact rifle is described and depicted in various pictures on pages 175-177 of “Savage Model 1895, 1899 & 99 Rifles Volume
2, Engraved and Special-Feature Models” (2022) by David Royal. The included Savage factory letter, dated April 16, 2013 and
addressed from John T. Callahan, states in relation to this rifle by serial number, “The record books tell us that this rifle was
accepted at Savage’s Utica, New York offices on February 12, 1897, and was shipped on February 18, 1897. It was built in
caliber .303 Savage with a full octagon barrel. The original consignee is listed to be W.S. Stratton. Additional entries show the
rifle was provided with factory engraving, fancy checkering and optional case hardened receiver. Mr. Stratton, reportedly
owned a gold mine in Colorado and periodically ordered fine rifles as gifts for his friends. The rifle you have is a Model 1895.
It was Savage’s first rifle, and established the company. Of interest, is that this rifle was produced for Savage by the Marlin
Firearms Co. of New Haven, CT. An arrangement was made by the Savage Company to have John Marlin produce the first
firearms in his factory as Savage did not have the plant or equipment at that time to do this. The first 8200 rifles were produced by Marlin and
are stamped with a ‘JM’ or ‘M’ marking under the barrel.” Mr. Royal further indicated to us that there is believed to instead be only approximately 5,200 Model 1895s manufactured. Winfield Scott Stratton (July 22,
1848-September 14, 1902) was an American capitalist, philanthropist, and prospector who discovered the Independence Lode, a gold mining site also referred to as Stratton’s Independence Mine and Mill , near Victor,
Colorado on July 4, 1891, and became the Cripple Creek Mining District’s first millionaire in 1894. The initials “F.C.T.” are neatly inscribed on the left interior side of the receiver, an unknown individual that was a friend of
Mr. Stratton who would have been presented this rifle. Performed by the hand of one of Savage’s skilled in-house engravers John and Conrad Ulrich, this rifle features high quality engraving consisting of floral scroll patterns
surrounding a circular panel scene of a deer being chased by a dog on the left of the receiver, floral scroll on the right, floral scroll motifs on the top and bottom of the receiver, with some flourishes of floral scroll on top of the
chamber area of the barrel. Relevant information along with a nearly identical Ulrich factory engraved Model 1895 pictured can be found on pages 19-20 of Royal’s 2016 published book. This rifle features a 26 inch octagon barrel
with a dovetail mounted beaded pinched blade front sight and folding Lyman patent rear sight, with “SAVAGE REPEATING ARMS Co., UTICA, N.Y. U.S.A./PATENTED FEB. 7. 1893. JULY 25. 1893. CAL. .303.” marked in two lines on top of
the barrel, a flip-up adjustable peep sight mounted on the top of the receiver tang, opening on top of the bolt with cocking indicator, and a cartridge counter on the left of the receiver.
58