Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Letter on 1895 Savage

Quoting from the letter from John T. Callahan: "The rifle you have is a Model 1895, Serial Number 7178. The record books tell us that this rifle was accepted at Savage's, Utica, NY offices on July 21, 1896 and was shipped on February 28, 1898. It was built in caliber .303 Savage with a 26" barrel. The original consignee is listed to be Hartley & Graham of New York City."

The scope and mounts appear to be John W. Sidle. I think that is a snap shot or a hunting telescope #5. Mountings are Sidle #22 specially adapted to hunting rifles allowing for open sights. Scope tube is 16" long and diameter is 7/8".

I got this information from Nick Stroebel's book on Old rifle scopes, pgs. 191 & 192.

Do you think that is was possible that it came from the factory with the scope due to the length of time between receiving at the factory and shipment?

I have four pictures to post but have been unable to upload them . I would appreciate some help in getting them posted. Thanks!

Steve (18sg99)

With that length of time between accepted and shipping, it's very possible it was a display rifle. No special features on it like checkering, pistol grip or engraving?

I can put pics up for you if you like. Look for a flashing envelope towards the top of your screen and then read your Messages under "My Stuff" for my email address.

I LIKE it!

That is a NICE one!!!

That is a nice one. Congrats on owning it.

WOW, what a beautiful and historic Savage 99. Love it!

Steve

That's a sweet looking old setup. How is the scope? Are the optics clear?

Welcome to the site. That is a Beaut!

I have an 1899 H in 22HP with a Malcolm Scope on it. I got lucky and it lettered as being sold to the Malcolm Rifle Telescope Co. But you have much more condition with your rifle and scope. I've got a pretty big ding in my scope tube. After Savage Fest East, I'm going to send mine to Parsons to have them remove the dent, Joe.

I supose many things could explain the gap in time you asked about and mounting a scope at the factory is a plausible hypothesis. Proving it is the rub and I'm not sure it really matters. You certainly have a keeper in that 95.

Don't forget, there was a bad economic depression in the late 1890s and that could have slowed down the sale of items like firearms and account for the gap in time too.

Welcome to the 'Fire Steve! That is a unique rifle, (any 1895 is!), just great! Making the effort to find out more about the scope and when it was mounted will no doubt lead to more info about the rifle. That's almost as much fun as shooting it!

Steve, the 1895's were made at Marlin and shipped to Savage for dispersion. From what I've seen of production and ship dates it appears that if there was an order when the shipment came in then the item shipped from the incoming shipment. If not then it when into inventory and shipped at a later date. One or two years in inventory was not uncommon.

Is the receiver/lever/other parts? plated? Appears plated or stripped of finish.

Given that there is nothing in the log about it being a special order and that the scope (and plating?) could have been added I think you just accept it for what it is and be a proud owner of a very nice 1895. Take good care of it.

Real nice piece of history you have there. Betcha its the only one like that in your neighborhood.

the 1895 was in my house when i had a fire.there was no fire in the gun room but a lot of smoke and water damage. Every thing was covered with black soot. When i started to clean it up and put hopes on it the bluing came right off on rag. the scope lenses are not clear now but still usable. Thanks for all the good comments . Steve

Sorry to hear that. Might be one I would consider having professionally (Turnbull...) reblued and the lever recased back to original.

Early 1898 would have been close to the last of the shipments of the regular 1895's, wouldn't it Rick? I know I remember a letter stating they were pretty muc sold out in late 1897.

Looking through the data...26 shipped 1896, 46 shipped 1898.

The majority of production appears to be from early 1896 through 4/1897.

Many rifles setting in inventory 12 to 18 months.