Savage No 1 Mk3 style -

[xa-coupe]

I don't know the protocol for posting links but if you look on gun broker for item 205207658 there is what looks to be an experimental hybrid ( my word ) based on the no1 mk3 but build by Savage. There are lots of differences as well as similarities.
This is very interesting, does anyone have any more information other than the description ?

Savage Experimental Rifle (British SMLE style) : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com

Information

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[newbieDAN]

WOW

That just messed with my mind

[smellie]

There was a thread some time back on CGN, I believe, about these critters. Savage made up about a dozen of them while angling for a contract from the British Government. No dice that time, but the Powers That Be sometimes have memories, so Savage ended up with a contract for a million-odd Number 4s a few years later.

I would really like to spend an afternoon on a rifle range with one of these things, but I don't suppose the occasion will ever arise.
.

[xa-coupe]

yeah, styled after the SMLE but major differences. I would love to have a good solid look at that baby.
There is also a springfield experimental rifle that seems to be from the same era. Both are extremely interesting.

[Son]

yeah, styled after the SMLE but major differences. I would love to have a good solid look at that baby.
There is also a springfield experimental rifle that seems to be from the same era. Both are extremely interesting.

Wanna buy a bridge?

That same rifle (or the last one they made like it (?)) came up for sale a few years ago from the same place.....This one is currently on it's third time around in a month without a bid.... hmmmm.... I think I'd like to see some official documents before I part with $950 and hang it in the pool room..... hold on, $9,500!!! "Tell 'em they're dreamin!"

[xa-coupe]

lol, I said it was interesting, I didn't say I was even thinking of buying it !! I'd be spending $9500 on something else myself.

[jmoore]

Looks like some sort of Bannerman's cobble. Odd.

[breakeyp]

I have followed this rifle since it first appeared on the scene in a Shotgun News Ad a number of years ago. I was late in responding and I believe there were two? of them and they were gone. The price seemed very high at the time as there was no paperwork to support what they were claimed to be. Price was under $1000.00. They showed up within six months on the forums with requests for information and a higher price tag. Pictures seemed to indicate parts were missing. And so on with each new owner going to get rich.

At various times it was claimed that it was built up for WWI but the action is a Savage Model 1920 (post WWI) model. Sharpe's "The Rifle in America" lists the Model 1920 production life from 1920 to 1928 and the Model 40 from 1920 to 1938.

If it was made up for WWII, the argument was that it was a quickie alternative to meet the British need for Arms. I can't get this to fit any time line that makes sense given that Savage had the contract to make the No.4. Even if Britain had said yes to this design, the Savage tooling could not have supported any volume production with out extensive new tooling which would have required the same or greater effort that would have to have been expended if they tooled the No.4. This just does not make sense.

Savage records were destroyed in a flood in the 50's. The only thing that gave it any credability was that the price was relatively low at the time, indicating you weren't paying for machine time. But some people will do crazy things to run a fake. If Britain had some to evaluate, wouldn't a sample be in the Pattern Room Collection?

These are my thoughts and why my money stayed in my pocket and I have not lost a wink of sleep over the matter. I always question any item that the seller has to tell me how rare it is to get me to buy. I am all for someone buying it, if they spend their money on it, they won't have money to buy someithing I might like. Number 1 rule, never buy anything that you can't sell for the same price the next day.

[Badger]

Posted original ad content here to save it for posterity …

Savage Experimental Rifle (British SMLE style) : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com


12/7/2010 11:51:38 PM ET
Auction Started at $9,500.00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! All the items purchased after December 13 will be shipped after January 5, 2011. Thank you for supporting us in 2010. We hope to hear from you again in 2011! One of the kind Savage experimental bolt action rifle! Caliber: . 303 Enfield. There is no information on this rifle available in known to me Savage reference literature. The rifle was, most likely, manufactured during the World War One. The style of the rifle copies the lines of British military Lee Enfield (SMLE) rifles. One piece (!) SMLE style walnut stock with a pistol grip and a full length handguard. The front sight/nosecap assembly, rear sights, brass buttplate and magazine are taken from standard SMLE rifle and they show British markings (and old serial numbers on the magazine and nosecap only). The caliber is standard British military .303 Enfield. This may lead to the conclusion that the rifle was offered to the British military during the Great War, or at least, was intended for some kind of British military trials. The rifle features very sturdy, military style bolt action. In fact, the latter is very similar to the action utilized in Savage Model 1920 rifle, just the bolt seems to be slightly longer. This rifle may be a predecessor of Savage Model 1920! The trigger guard and a single shot cut off are missing from the rifle, and there is no sign that they were ever installed. Perhaps, the rifle was never completed by the Savage factory. The left side of the buttstock displays a brass disc with following markings, "Made by Savage Arms Co., Utica, N.Y., U.S.A.". The serial number is stamped only on the right side of the receiver ring. No other markings are present on the rifle. Complete with a long range dial sight on the left side of the stock. The bolt cocking piece is also a safety device. It can be turned left and right and is marked accordingly, "Safe" and "Fire". Two sling swivels. Bayonet lug on the nosecap. One barrel band. Brass buttplate with a trap. Overall length: 46 inch. Barrel length: 25.5 inch. CONDITION: The rifle would be in excellent condition, if not for missing (uninstalled) parts. 96% of original blue finish is still remaining on metal. The balance is in white mixed with some light patina. Some finish is turning to brownish color. Most of the wear is on the magazine, barrel band and nosecap. The SMLE magazine shows some roughness and some handling marks. The SMLE nosecap shows two small spots of pitting. Nice, smooth stock in original finish, with some handling marks and light dings. No cracks in wood. All the markings on metal are clearly visible. Excellent+ bore with strong and shiny rifling. Crisp action. All the internal parts of the rifle are in excellent condition, with no visible wear. One of the kind Savage experimental bolt action rifle from the time of the Great War! Serial# 97XX. Shipping is $30 in the continental U.S., actual shipping cost overseas. Personal checks will be held for 12 days or until cleared by the bank. For more information and additional pictures, please visit our web site. (mlr_0116)

Attachment 17914 - Attachment 17913 - Attachment 17916 - Attachment 17915

Regards,
Doug

[Thunderbox]

In the several times that this rifle has appeared, its a pity no one has posted any photos of a partial strip down. It would be interesting to see the barrel profile - if, indeed, its off a No1 or even a P14. I've never seen photos of the trigger guard attachment points, or the internals - how the SMLE mag (which wasn't on the rifle originally IIRC) is mated up with the 1920 action. I always wondered if there were any reason why the triggerguard was missing - other than that'd be the hardest part to craft, as everything else appears to be either factory parts or custom woodworking....