Here's the Bluebook listing and a photo of the Model 1907:
| MODEL 1907 AUTO PISTOL |
| - .32 ACP or .380 ACP cal., 9 (.380 ACP) or 10 (.32 ACP) shot mag., 3 13/16 (.32 ACP) or 4 5/16 (.380 ACP) in. barrel, blue, fixed sights, metal (early mfg. in .32 ACP only until ser. no. 10,980) or hard rubber grips, exposed cocking piece. Mfg. 1910-17. |
And here's the Bluebook listing and a photo of the Model 1917.
| MODEL 1917 AUTOMATIC |
| - similar to Model 1907, with spur cocking piece and trapezoidal grips. Mfg. 1920-28. |
Now compare those two photos and the descriptions to our Savage .32. Ours has the spur cocking piece and the close-together slide serrations of the 1917, but lacks the trapezoidal grips. It has the normal-shaped grip of the 1907. It's not one or the other, but a combination of the two, so we called it a Savage Arms Model 1907/1917 .32 ACP/7.65mm Single-Action Semi-Auto Pistol.
And here's the kicker. If you use the link above to go to our gunbroker auction, you'll see it comes with a genuine Savage 1917 box with label and factory papers. The previous owner who sold it to us certainly thought it was a Model 1917. Whatever it is, some Savage collector will get an oddity.
I have the exact same gun...with old grips and new slide. Please email me at shunsperger@gmail.com it you ever want to see pics or have any info regarding what the story is behind this very unusual weapon.
ReplyDeleteThank You
S
I have the exact gun with the old grip style yet equipped with the new style slide. The serial #217XXX indicates that it is a 1917 model yet it seems as though it some bastard model that does not meet the criteria for either model. Please send me any info you come across that clearly identifies what type of weapon this is.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
S.
I have the same anomaly on my Great-grandfather's 1917 as well (1907 grip with 1917 slide serations and hammer-like cocking piece). Since my serial is 2127XX (which I believe is from 1919), perhaps Savage was using up their old inventory of frames and placing new internals before exclusively using the new frame. Although I can't see them having enough of the old frames that they'd still be making hybrid models several years later, but whatever... Just a thought I had after reading your article. Anyone have any idea if the slide on a 1907 will fit on a 1917 (in which case it may prove my theory).
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I like my hybrid. The trapezoidal grip of a true 1917 just looks strange to me.
I have the same gun. It belonged to my grandfather. He would have been 98 this year. Does anybody know what the value is?
ReplyDeleteI just bought the same type of gun, and will get it in a few days. Does anyone know which magazine it takes? I understand the 1907 magazines are different than the 1917? I'd like to see a picture of the magazine if anyone has one?
ReplyDeleteI just picked up one with a 1907 frame and hammer but 1917 slide. Serial # shows it was made mid 1919. Didn't notice the 1917 slide when I bought it. I like the looks of the 1907 slide better, but since the gun is in great condition and it was a good deal I'll keep it.
ReplyDeleteWhat you've got is a late-production 1907. A transitional model, if you will. I believe that only 1917 production guns are in this specific configuration.
ReplyDeleteYou have a late-1919 or 1920 production M1907, plain and simple. The 27-serration slide from 1919-on, was developed and used ahead of the actual production start of M1917s in 1920.
ReplyDeleteMy M1907 is early-1919 production yet has the original 10-serration slide which is still marked as "Savage Arms Co.": Making it an (correct) early-mid-1918 slide, or earlier. In late-1918, Savage began marking the slides "Savage Arms Corp.", having reorganized in 1917. As I said, the 27-serration slide was introduced in 1919 before the M1917 began production in '20.
As far as the internals go...well, aside from specific parts for the "Hammerless" M1915, there weren't any major changes. Although apparently fitted to each pistol, most small-parts will swap from one pistol to another with variable success. They'll work...mostly.
However, I discovered that between my three Savage pistols (M1907, M1915, M1917), the barrels and slides because of the rails, are not entirely compatible. The dimensions between parts deviates just a touch to prevent swapping. They could maybe be forced to fit but it's not worth it.
Been awhile since any one has posted here, but here goes....
ReplyDeleteI acquired the same pistol when my Uncle passed away. From what I found online, the more trapezoidal grips came about due to the grip being a little too small for the majority of those wanting this sized pistol.so Savage made it a bit larger. I too like the look of the more squared off grips. It's a nice shooter. Best part of getting this pistol....it came with 2 magazines!! Although one isn't as reliable as the other and seems to need a little work.
Following up a year after, I just purchased one of these, and it has the 1915 (I believe) mag release, using the pinky to press the release. It also has the smaller frame, but the fine serrations on the slide and carries Savage Arms Corp ID. I am going to guess that when Savage decided to remodel the 1915 (nee1905) they used up what ever was lying around the shop to make guns. It is serial numbered with the 1915 pistols also. An interesting variation of the line for collectors to salivate over. They need to give this gun a unique identity.
ReplyDeleteThere were many "mods" (small changes) during the production life of the m1907....This is a M1907..serrations increased and the spur cocking indicator for two...safety lever design, barrel type with or without cocking indicator, roll stamps and their verbiage, serial number location, and more
ReplyDelete