Savage was the only company from New York. They accused the state of loading the panel with people who favored Savage, and even of tailoring the requrements to the exact specs of the 1895.
So, yes.. Winchester and others sued to stop New York from buying the guns and it was a scandal. New York didn't buy the guns, though can't be sure it would have even if the companies hadn't sued.
But during the trials, I believe the Winchester rep grabbed the Savage rifle and slammed a cartridge into the breech attempting to show how easy it could jam. Arthur Savage in return picked up one of the Winchester 1895 trial rifles and shoved a cartridge in it so hard that it took a long time with tools to get it unjammed. People separated them to keep it from escalating.
That's interesting.
So the panel was from New York, the Savage company was from New York, and because they wanted to keep the business at home and actually help New York, where they are from, the whiners cried foul.
I think they call that buying local nowadays! Last I knew it was encouraged!
