Page 360 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 451
Historic Documented
Extremely Early
Production Serial Number
“69” Savage Model 1907
Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter Shipped to the Designer’s Financial Backer - Serial no. 69,
32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, metal grips. Manufactured in 1908, this early production Model 1907 pistol is listed in the included factory letter as having shipped to W.D. Condit on 8 June 1908. Condit was the financial backer of Searle, the designer of the Savage pistols. The factory letter also notes that information on Searle can be found on p.
16 of “10 Shots Quick” by D. Stern. The standard two-line address and patent date is marked on top of the slide along with the caliber marking. The early production, two-digit
serial number “69” is marked on the front lower portion
of the frame. It is fitted with blade and notch sights and a checkered metal grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina
and a few scattered patches of very light surface pitting.
The grips are fine, retaining much of the original finish,
some scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection,
author of “Savage Pistols”.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 452
Outstanding Savage Model 1907 Semi- Automatic Pistol with Box as Pictured in “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr. - Serial no. 175919, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured in 1917, the top of the slide is marked with the standard two-line address, patent date, and caliber marking. This specific pistol is pictured on p. 77 of “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower
Jr., where it is used as an
excellent example of the
Issue 1907-17 Modification
No. 1 Savage Model 1907
pistol. It has standard features
and is fitted with a pair of
checkered hard rubber grips
with Savage logos at the
center. Includes a correct
Savage factory box.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains
99% of the original blue finish with a few scattered light handling marks and some very light edge wear. The grips are also excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with some mild edge/corner wear.
Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 453
Unique Savage Factory Slide Release
Prototype Model 1907 Semi-Automatic Pistol
with Factory Prototype Magazine - Serial no.
96123, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish,
hard rubber grips. Manufactured c. 1913-1915, this Savage Model
1907 was used as a prototype by the factory to test the fitment of a
frame mounted slide release similar to that on the Colt Model 1911/
Government Model. It has the standard two-line address/patent date
and caliber markings on top of the slide. It has standard features as well
as the factory added, checkered slide release on the left of the frame. It is
fitted with checkered hard rubber grips with Savage logos at the center,
with the left panel having been modified to accept the slide release. The
magazine is marked for .380 caliber and has was factory modified on the
top left to work in conjunction with the slide release.
CONDITION: Fine as a factory modified prototype, retains 40% of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina, primarily on the grip straps and the forward portions of the slide and frame. The grips are very good with some scattered light handling marks, modified left panel (see above), and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 454
Unique Cutaway
Savage Model
1907 Semi-Automatic Pistol as Pictured
in “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr. -
Serial no. 207071, 32 ACP cal., 3 3/4 inch round
bbl., bright finish, hard rubber grips. Manufactured
c. 1919-1920. This particular
pistol is a unique
custom modified
cutaway (non-factory)
used for demonstration
purposes. The pistol
features 13 separate
cutout windows that
allow viewing of most of
the internal mechanics
of the gun. The pistol
appears to have received
a fairly refined polishing
treatment, but it remains
unclear whether the
pistol ever received a finish or has always
remained in the unfinished, “in the white” state it is currently in. This specific pistol is pictured on p. 153 of “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower, Jr. It is listed by serial number where it is incorrectly described as nickel plated, and as a custom cutaway. A pistol such as this would have been very useful for retailers of the time in describing and marketing these pistols to potential buyers.
CONDITION: Very good as professionally custom modified to cutaway configuration, showing mostly
a brushed bright finish with some scattered very light surface pitting. The grips are fine with a barely noticeable, repaired hairline crack in each panel, some scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically fine as a cutaway demonstration piece.
Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
ACCORDING TO AUTHOR BAILEY BROWER JR., THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A 1907-17 MODIFICATION NO. 1 AND IS AMONG THE LAST PISTOLS TO RECEIVE THE BLUED FINISH PRIOR TO "PAINT"
SERIAL NUMBER 69
358
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SAVAGE PISTOLS BY BROWER, JR.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SAVAGE PISTOLS BY BROWER, JR.