Rick,

I went and looked at my sparse catalogue accumulation and it looks like the early Model 4 used a bolt safety as well. The '36 catalogue shows a slide safety for the Model 5, but doesn't hype the rifle as a new model. Curious.

When did Savage and Stevens combine their catalogues? Not prewar as near as I can tell. My 1948 catalogue is the first I have where it showcases both lines.

"Americans have the right and advantage of being armed-unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." James Madison