The ad is from 1897, I think. Since there was only one Savage lever rifle in production maybe Savage didn't feel they needed a model number? Same for the minimal .303 Sav. caliber marking till the .30-30 chambering was added.
I noticed in the listing (above) of rifles submitted for the trials that the Winchester was listed as the Model `95 while the Savage was listed as the Military Magazine Rifle. At first I thought that might clarify that it was not a Model 1895 but from the above ad it appears that the Model 1895 designation was not always used at that time.
One thing that still has me puzzled are the three modified 1895 muskets that have turned up. They have holes in front of the trigger guard for a sling loop (like a trap door Springfield) that have been plugged. None of the other Savage muskets have that. Also a wedge cut on top of the barrel where a rear sight would have been located. If not Trial muskets then were they for someone else?
