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Posted By: RandySavage99 Savage 720 Auto 16 Gauge - 09/28/03
Hi,

I know this forum is largely devoted to the Model 1899/99, but I have a quick question about my shotgun. It is a Savage 720 16 Gauge Automatic, based on the Browning design. It is in real nice shape and I picked it up about 6 years ago. The serial number is 16,8XX. What I was wondering is if anyone can tell me the date of manufacture. I believe it is one of the earlier ones because of the fairly low serial number, but also there is no Model number on the gun. What it has on the left side in the middle of the receiver is:

SAVAGE AUTOMATIC
Manufactured by
Savage Arms Corporation
Utica, N.Y. U.S.A.

Then on the left side bottom rear of the receiver it says:

JOHN M. BROWNING PATENT 1900

Does anyone have an opinion on the quality of this gun? I really haven't shot this one too much, but I have had it to a gunsmith to repair an ejection problem. I have also had to replace the firing pin in it. Once again, any information anyone can provide would be appreciated. Thanks.

RandySavage99
Posted By: mad_dog Re: Savage 720 Auto 16 Gauge - 09/28/03
No idea about the date but I did find this,

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=12276041

Pretty neat little shotgun, never seen one before thanks for the idea, I'll be looking around for one now!
Posted By: Steve95 Re: Savage 720 Auto 16 Gauge - 09/28/03
They were manufactured in the 30's and 40's but I don't know where they started the serialization or how many. Mine is a 12ga and I liked it well enough to sell the browning and keep the savage. Steve
Yeah, mad dog, wouldn't that be a fun little one to have!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Randy
Posted By: savparts Re: Savage 720 Auto 16 Gauge - 09/29/03
The 720-745-750-775 where John Browning's design and since he could not make them had sold the rights to Remingtion and Savage to make them. Remington 11 and Savage 720 same same. Bud Mayard bought ALL the parts for them in the 60's and now I think his son has them.
Steve
I have a 775 (same action with rounded receiver, made in the 50's) in 16 ga; it was my Dad's gun. It's a great little shotgun; my partners all have Browning A5's or Remington 1100's, and I wouldn't trade with any of 'em!
Posted By: savparts Re: Savage 720 Auto 16 Gauge - 09/30/03
These shotguns are headspaced off of the forend. If the forend is to far foreward or rearward it will not fire. Have your gunsmith check for that,
Steve
You can adjust the mechanism for light or heavy loads by varying the position of the friction ring with relation to the recoil spring (another Browning feature). If anybody needs it, I've got an old handbook that shows the positions; contact me for a photocopy.
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The 720-745-750-775 where John Browning's design and since he could not make them had sold the rights to Remingtion and Savage to make them.

Browning did not sell the rights. Remington and Savage were both licensed to produce and sell long recoil shotguns domestically while FN received overseas licensing.
Posted By: Lightfoot Re: Savage 720 Auto 16 Gauge - 10/02/03
I'm hard pressed to see what's the difference between "selling the rights" and "licensing". To me they are one and the same. I heard no mention of patents changing hands or the like. I think most of us knew what he meant by the statement.
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I'm hard pressed to see what's the difference between "selling the rights" and "licensing". To me they are one and the same. I heard no mention of patents changing hands or the like. I think most of us knew what he meant by the statement.

If a design or patent has been SOLD, it means just that. The buyer of that design controls manufacturing and distribution of that design for as long as they choose to do so. If a design has been LICENSED, the owner of the design has granted an entity permission to manufacture and market that design or product for a certain term, usually in exchange for a royalty. Quite a bit of difference (like buying and leasing a car). Are you sure you know what most people think?
Posted By: Lightfoot Re: Savage 720 Auto 16 Gauge - 10/03/03
If this was a legal forum I'd really be impressed with your superior knowledge of licensing and patent issues. Since this is a Savage Collector's forum and most of us just come here to swap a few ideas, facts and the occasional lie - I really don't give a flip.
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