savage 1895 ?

[rmbennette]

i have got a savage model 1899 38-55 octagon brl or so i thought, but according to the serial number i am told it is a 1895 the serial # is 42.xxx on the barrel it has all the hash manufactured by the savage arms ... patented February 7,1893 July 25,1893 October 3,1899 how or why would it have the last patent date if it is a 1895 by the way a gun dealer here said it was at about 40% because of the finish with some rust on barrel ect... but it is all there and the action is still solid and smooth to have been in an attic for the last 30 to 50 yrs we are not sure how long but at least 30 for sure.help would be appreciated i checked the ser.#s on the forearm,stock and butt plate they all match the # on the weapon . the only mark under the forearm is a circle with an x in it there is also an x stamped on the forearm and stock above the ser. # possibly a quality control mark ?

 

[Scorch]

I have never heard of a Savage Model 1895 (that doesn't mean they don't exist, I suppose). It sounds like you have an early Model 1899, judging from the patent dates. FWIW, Savage dropped the 38-55 chambering very early in the 20th Century (1910?).

 

[PetahW]

[patented February 7,1893 July 25,1893 October 3,1899 how or why would it have the last patent date if it is a 1895 ]

Exactly.

Savage 1899 serial number 42,xxx is a 1904 production rifle.

In 1893, Arthur Savage patented his lever-action rifle, and later that year organized the Savage Arms Co in Utica, NY.

The new gun was named the Model 1895 for the year production first started.

AFAIK, the only chamberings advertized were .30-30 and .303 Savage, but only .303's were produced - until 1899, when the rifle was improved, and renamed as the Model 1899.

Savage introduced the .38-55 into the Model 1899 lineup in 1902, so although it's not outside the realm of possibility that some earlier Model 1895's got rebarreled with a later barrel, your rifle's serial number indicates it's a Model 1899 made while the .38-55 was a standard offering.

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