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LOT 3503
Rare Gold Plated Savage Model 1917 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Attractive Pearl Grips and Scarce Factory Box, Factory Letter, and Case - Serial no. 238519, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., gold finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1920, this is an outstanding and unique example of a Savage Model 1917 pistol. It has the standard two-line address, patent date, and caliber marking on top of the slide. It is fitted with standard blade and notch sights, and a pair of smooth pearl grips. The finish on the pistol is entirely gold plating, including the barrel, trigger, and hammer. The consignor notes that only 12 of these pistols were gold plated. The included factory letter doesn’t mention the gold finish but lists shipment to The Hukill Hunter Co. on 7 December 1920. Includes a scarce factory box correctly labeled to the gun and a modern hardwood case.
It’s not unusual for Savage records to be incomplete on special decoration. From the collection of Bailey Brower, Jr., who believes this to be factory special finish and grips, and included it in his award winning display “The Gold Standard.”
LOT 3504
Nickel Plated Savage Model 1907 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Unique Special Order “Tuxedo” Pearl Panel Grips - Serial no. 32937, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured in 1916, this is an attractive example of a Savage Model 1907 pistol. The top of the slide has the standard address, patent date, and caliber markings. It has a special order full nickel finish. It is fitted with blade and notch sights and a pair of very rare, “tuxedo” grips which are comprised of a checkered hard rubber grip with the Savage logo at the center and a pearl panel insert above and below it. The consignor notes that as few as 12 sets of these grips are known to have been made. A factory letter for a different pistol is included that provides some insight on these unique grips. In the letter from Roe Clark he states that at one point while sorting through some “scrap and junk” at Savage, he had found some pearl panels shaped like this but had no idea what they were until seeing a pistol fitted with the grips. He goes on to state that he believes the grips to be factory work and probably experimental. A silver plated pistol with the same grips is pictured and described on p. 156 of “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr.
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