Mystery Savage Military Type Rifles

[Big Al]

Hi everyone,

I'm new around here and this will be my first thread on here. I came across these rifles in my perusing of the internet for interesting guns and have been wondering exactly what they are for a long time. There appears to be two versions, one styled like the M1903 Springfield, the other like the Lee-Enfield Mark III.

Here are some links to extant examples:

M1903 style example: Cowan's Auctions: The Midwest's Most Trusted Auction House / Antiques / Fine Art / Art Appraisals


M1903 style example: Savage Experimental Rifle #001 (Springfield style) : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com


Lee-Enfield Mark III style example: Savage Experimental Rifle (British SMLE style) : Curios & Relics at GunBroker.com


The base receiver and bolt appear to incorporate ideas from the Mauser 98 and the Arisaka. Any information anyone can provide to satisfy my curiosity will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Big Al]

Bumping up.

[DocAV]

Savage experimented with several "Springfield Improved" type rifle designs, in .30 Gov't (.30/40 Krag), 7mm Mauser and .303 British. ( this last one in 1914-15)

Several complete examples have surfaced over the last 20-30 years, as well as some in various stages of completeness...Looks like some were "put together" from Toolroom parts.
There are Known complete examples of all models. Complete Models will gain very much higher prices.

The British preferred to have their "Pattern 14 Rifle" made in the USA, rather than take on the Untried Savage-SMLE Variant.

Some of the features found in these experimental pieces did find their way into Post-WW I Savage designs (Sporters) and the Memory of Savage's trial rifles inh WW I, may have led to the British Gov't in 1939 contacting Savage to make its Rifle No.4 in the US.

Very little is left in the Archival records of Savage from WW I on these rifles, and their initial finding in the 1960s caused quite a stir as to Origin, History, Purpose, etc.

Doc AV

[Big Al]

That is very informative. Thank you so much, DocAV.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Howdy Big Al!

I only wanted to 'officially' welcome you to the site. I may be just a 'little bit' biased, but sincerely, I don't think you'll find a more knowledgeable and sharing group of gentlemen anywhere!

Regards,
~ Harlan

[Big Al]

Thank you very much, Harlan. You can bump that total by 1. I've been described as walking gun encyclopedia by people who know me. I wouldn't say I know everything, but I do have great deal of knowledge regarding weapons, military equipment, tanks, airplanes, etc, and I very much enjoy sharing my knowledge with others, as well as acquiring new knowledge.