Page 364 - 88-BOOK1

LOT 468
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SAVAGE PISTOLS BY BROWER, JR.
LOT 466
Unique Documented Savage Prototype Model 1905/1907 Single Shot Bolt Action Pistol as Pictured in “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr. - NSN, 22 cal., 9 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, hard rubber grips. In the early 1900s, multiple American arms manufacturing companies, including Winchester and Savage, were exploring the idea of manufacturing a single shot bolt action pistol in the increasingly popular .22 cartridges of the time. Winchester produced multiple prototypes based on the actions of their popular .22 bolt action models, many of which have recently been offered here at Rock Island Auction Company. Around the same time, in an effort to not fall behind one of their biggest competitors, Savage also started to develop some prototype single shot .22 pistols, with this example being one of them. Neither Winchester or Savage ever pushed these prototypes to full production, making these developmental pistols incredibly scarce. This very interesting example is pictured and described on p. 180 of “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower, Jr. It is a very clear attempt by the Savage factory to combine two of their existing models, a Model 1905 rifle and a Model 1907 pistol. The frame is very clearly that of a Savage Model 1907 pistol with the magazine components modified to accept the receiver of a Model 1905 rifle and “pencil” profiled barrel. It is fitted with blade and notch sights and a standard Model 1907 checkered hard rubber grip on the right, while the left grip is absent, likely to allow viewing of the internal trigger mechanism. Also included is a letter from Bailey Brower, Jr. where he states that the pistol was acquired from Michael Carney, a well-known gun dealer in the Syracuse/Utica area of New York. He states that Carney had access to the Savage Research & Development storeroom, from which he purchased many rare Savage firearms. Carney and Savage historian Roe Clark estimated that Savage likely only produced three or four of these rare prototypes before abandoning their efforts to push such a pistol to full production. CONDITION: Fine as a factory prototype, showing mostly a bright grey patina overall with some traces of the original blue finish which was likely removed at the factory during development, and some scattered small patches of the light pitting. The one grip panel present is excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Decocks upon closing the bolt, otherwise mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 467
Unique Prototype Savage/ Stevens Model 10 Style Single Shot Pistol with Documentation and Correspondence - Serial no. 1186001, 22 cal., 8 inch part round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. This interesting pistol is a very close copy of a Stevens Model 10 target pistol, with some very interesting differences and history. The pistol lacks all the typical markings of a Stevens Model 10 and the barrel latch/release is dramatically different than the production models which were made available to the public from 1920-1933, making it likely this pistol was a prototype or developmental model made by Stevens. Interestingly, within a binder of documentation included with the pistol is some correspondence between noted Savage collector and author of “Savage Pistols”, Bailey Brower, Jr. and Mike Carney discussing the history of this specific pistol. According to the correspondence, Carney acquired the pistol from an estate sale near Utica, New York before selling the pistol on to Brower, Jr. After the sale was complete, Carney appears to have acquired some further documentation that indicates the pistol may not have originally been serialized, but through recommendations from New York State Police and the ATF, it was sent to Savage where it received the serial number which is currently located on the top flat of the frame under the barrel. Carney goes on to state, that through a discussion with the dealer who originally bought the pistol, he discovered that the dealer acquired the pistol from retired Savage Vice President, A.W. Schenck, who lived near Utica. Besides the lack of markings and the non-standard barrel latch, the pistol appears to have standard features of the Stevens Model 10, including a pair of diamond pattern checkered hard rubber grips. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with the balance having mostly thinned to a smooth grey patina and a few small patches of oxidation at the muzzle. The grips are also excellent with a few scattered light handling marks and otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very interesting prototype pistol documented as having connections to both Stevens and Savage! Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
362
Exceedingly Scarce Documented Prototype Winchester Single Shot Bolt Action Pistol as Pictured in “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr. - NSN, 22 cal., 8 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Developed by Winchester shortly after World War I in an effort to explore the idea of producing single shot pistols based on the action of the Model 1900/1902 rifles. George Madis believed that less than 100 of these prototypes were produced. There may have actually been a small number commercially produced and sold through dealers in Australia and New Zealand. This specific pistol is pictured and described on p. 178 of “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower, Jr. and is used as an example of Winchester’s development work that Savage was almost simultaneously shadowing. Neither of these companies pushed a single shot bolt action pistol to full production, making prototypes such as this one incredibly scarce. Along with the measurements appearing to match, the design drawing also appears to confirm the polished frame of this pistol. The final few letters of the original barrel address are visible on the upper left of the re-profiled rifle barrel and a Winchester “WP” proof is visible on top of the bolt. The pistol is otherwise devoid of markings and fitted with blade and notch sights. It is mounted with one takedown screw in a finely shaped walnut stock with large checkered panels in the grip areas. Includes a letter from Bailey Brower, Jr. describing this pistol as a prototype and that it is featured in his book. CONDITION: Very fine as assembled as a Winchester factory prototype, retains 90% of the factory blue finish with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina. The stock is also very fine with a few scattered light scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to add a scarce Winchester prototype to your collection! Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 469
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SAVAGE PISTOLS BY BROWER, JR.
Unique Documented Savage Prototype Model 1905 Single Shot Bolt Action Pistol as Pictured in “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr. - Serial no. 24516, 22 cal., 8 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. In the early 1900s, Winchester, who was one of America’s leading firearms manufacturers, explored the idea of adapting one of their extremely popular single shot .22 rifle models into a pistol. After producing several prototypes, many of which have been recently sold here at Rock Island Auction Company, Winchester scrapped the concept after deciding that the market wasn’t ready for such a different type of pistol. Unsurprisingly, Savage, one of Winchesters closest American competitors, got wind of Winchester’s wild idea and began work on some prototypes of their own, this example being one of them. This specific pistol is pictured and described on p. 179 of “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower, Jr., where it is described as an action and shortened barrel from a Savage Model 1905 rifle attached to a revolver style grip. Out of all the known Savage prototypes of this style, this example most closely resembles those of their competition. Also included is a letter from Bailey Brower, Jr. where he states that the pistol was acquired from Michael Carney, a well-known gun dealer in the Syracuse/Utica area of New York. He states that Carney had access to the Savage Research & Development storeroom, from which he purchased many rare Savage firearms. Carney and Savage historian Roe Clark estimated that Savage likely only produced three or four of these rare prototypes before abandoning their efforts to push such a pistol to full production. The pistol is numbered “24516” on the bottom of the barrel and action. It is fitted with blade front and fixed notch rear sights, and there appear to be two filled holes on top of the barrel where a rear sight was previously mounted. CONDITION: Very good as a unique Savage factory prototype, showing mostly a smooth grey patina overall. The wood stock is also very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Decocks upon opening, otherwise mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own a scarce piece of Savage developmental history! Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK SAVAGE PISTOLS BY BROWER, JR.