Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Question regarding a Savage 1920

This is the butt plate of my model 1920

Thanks ottsm...certainly a better fit than mine is!

Yours should be a better fit, my guess is that somewhere along the way the stock was replaced with one from another rifle. Even though these guns are rare, parts guns do come up from time to time. I have a few parts myself. I'll also say that the parts often don't interchange so easy, not without some work. Fix it up and have some fun with it. This rifle is light weight and easy to carry and shoulder, it fits and balances just right for me anyway.

Just a note, the later 20/26 version is a much heavier stock. Below is a example of both types, the top being a 250-3000 model 1920 and the lower the 20/26 in 300. The 20/26 had no cap on the end of the pistol grip and was thicker around the wrist and forearm. Their were some "transition" rifles that come up from time to time with different variations. I've seen a 20/26 with a regular leaf style rear sight versus the Lyman 54 which was standard on the 20/26.

I have a 20/26 in 300S, SN 1250x, that has an open rear sight and a tail-block, bolt shroud, that isn't d&t for a Lyman #54. Since the serial number puts it among the last 600 Savage 20/26s, I have long wondered if it was put together out of serial number sequence after the Models 40/45 Super Sporters had superseded the 20/26. BTW, this rifle retains the clip slot that was absent in some of the very last 20/26 receivers that were made.

Great post with photos, thanks for the effort.

OP's serial makes it a mid year-1920 production.

The Lyman 54 was an option, not sure at what point in time it was first available.

OP's Lyman 54 has the knob on the left side vs. the right side. The knob was not changed till around 1926. That would make the 54 sight an add on after 1926.

I'm assuming that the rear sight dovetail is there, just no sight.

Yes...the rear sight dovetail is present and filled with a blank.

I got the 250-3000 to the range to test after the barrel was turned back and chamber re-cut. Shooting factory Hornady 100 gr Interlock at 50 yards...



These are the first 3 shots after trip to gunsmith. I was really happy with this grouping on a grey, rainy day. Extractions were nice and consistent, and primers look good now. Correcting headspace fixed those problems it seems, and shot well! The downside...I need to bring this group down, and I'm realizing now that the Lyman 54 sight is already bottomed out. So...taller front sight needed I think? The journey to success continues with this one ...but feels to be closer...

I appreciate all those who have contributed so far! I don't know anyone who has ever even heard of a 1920...let alone have information about them...with pics! It's been fun to try to figure out out this rifle and get it shooting. Even if a Frankenstein...it's sleek and points well, and now seems to be grouping with great potential. I like it very much.

I have to say the 1920 and 20/26 is my all time favorite sporting made bolt gun. It is quickly followed by the 1903 Springfield in its NRA Sporter configuration first and then those that were converted by Sedgley second. My 20/26 is chambered in 300, has a pistol grip cap and a Lyman 54. It is a neat little rifle.

A grip cap would be non-standard for a 20/26.

Would it have been a factory option? The stock work for mounting the cap is very consistent with factory 99 stocks from the 1920s with grip caps.

Does your stock have sling eyes?

Yes it does and I’ve been looking for a set of “fish hook” swivels.

If it was a factory option, is wasn't a cataloged factory option.

I've owned close to 100 Savage 1920s and 20/26s over the years and have seen a couple with higher grade wood and a 20/26 with a curved, rifle-style, butt-plate, but that was the only factory stock that differed from the standard/cataloged configurations. IOW, all of the 1920s had 1920 configuration stocks and all of the 20/26s, except for the 1 documented special order, had 20/26 configuration stocks. The 20/26 with the curved, rifle-style, butt-plate was a special order for a man with a Jackson, WY, address.

Like I said, the work is very consistent with factory work on capped pistol gripped stocks, though I also suspect the it would have been well within the abilities of a skilled stock maker. Anyway, it looks good to me and I’m keeping it. Thanks for the comments.

Do you have a factory letter for it?

No I don’t, factory letters really don’t mean that much to me but I guess I could get one if there was any potential to add to the group’s body of knowledge. Who is the current contact?

A factory letter would, in most cases, answer the question as to whether your non-standard configuration was factory or after-market.

I have no idea who to contact for a factory letter these days.

I understand what a letter contains, I just don't know how to go about getting one these days. Who does?

Rick99, Calhoun, or any of the guys who are still buying collectible Savage rifles would know the answer to that question.

T

Thanks