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LOT 3023
Incredibly Rare, Historic, Documented Factory
Engraved Savage Model 1907 Semi-Automatic Pistol
Inscribed to Famed Wild West Showman Pawnee Bill
with Factory Letter - Serial no. 47978, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4
inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
in 1911. All Savage factory engraved pistols are rare. Those
also inscribed to famed American Wild West showmen are
incredibly rare. Per Stern’s “10 Shots Quick: The Fascinating
Story of the Savage Pocket Automatics,” Wild West showman
Buffalo Bill ordered five Savage pistols engraved with the
names of some of his friends (pages 82-83). RIAC had the
pleasure of selling a pistol inscribed to Buffalo Bill (no.
33177) in September 2021. Now, we have a Savage pistol
inscribed to another famed Wild West showman: Gordon
William “Pawnee Bill” Lillie (1860-1942). While this pistol is
not among the five listed by Stern as ordered by Buffalo
Bill, it stands as a historic piece of Savage and Wild West
memorabilia. Lillie worked as an interpreter on the Pawnee
Indian Agency which earned him the nickname “Pawnee
Bill.” In 1883, he became an interpreter and performer in
“Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.” In 1888, he and his wife, May,
started “Pawnee Bill’s Historic Wild West” which became
“Pawnee Bill’s Historical Wild West, Indian Museum and
Encampment” and later “Pawnee Bill’s Wild West and
Great Far East Show.” In 1908, Pawnee Bill joined Buffalo
Bill to create the “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s
Great Far East,” often called the “Two Bills Show.” The pistol
features Savage A or Protector Grade factory engraving.
The modest coverage clearly exhibits the English style
scrollwork of Savage’s Master Engraver Enoch Tue. This
style of engraving was the most basic type of Savage’s
pistol engraving patterns and was commonly offered at an
additional charge of $12.50 above the $15 price for a non-
engraved pistol. The gun is personalized with the inscription
“MAJOR G.W. LILLIE” on the left side of the frame just above
the grip panel. The accompanying factory letter confirms
the factory A engraving and “name engraved on left side
of frame” when it was sold to Major G.W. Lillie, accepted
on October 28, 1911, and shipped on November 2, 1911.
Savage used celebrity endorsements in its advertising for
the Model 1907. The endorsements came from Buffalo Bill,
William ”Bat” Masterson, detective William Pinkerton, and
detective W.J. Burns who “prefer[ed] the Savage Automatic
for its speed and accuracy.” “The unanimous choice of these
men may be safely backed against the world,” proclaimed
the Savage booklet “It Banishes Fear!” This was after all “the
greatest weapon ever invented for the protection of the
home.” Use of celebrity endorsements ramped up in 1911.
Savage often provided the endorser with a free gun(s) and/
or payment. Perhaps this pistol was presented by Savage
to Pawnee Bill in an attempt to win over his endorsement.
The engraving on Buffalo Bill’s pistol presented to him by
Savage in 1911 is very similar to the engraving
on this Model 1907.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 80% bright
original blue finish with the balance thinning to brown. The
engraving is crisp. The grips are excellent with a few minor
handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. This factory engraved Savage Model 1907 is a
great piece of Savage and Wild West heritage.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
Gordon William
"Pawnee Bill" Lillie
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