The pride of Northern Wisconsin, Richard Ira Bong. WWII fighter pilot ace.
Must have been home on leave from the Pacific. Great taste in rifles.
"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
The scope and mount could be a Weaver T7 with a Weaver 330 scope like this one. They were available in this configuration from the factory late 30's till the beginning of WWII.
wyo1895 With Savage never say never. For a copy of my book on engraved Savage lever actions rifles send a check for $80 to; David Royal, p.o. box 1271, Pinedale, Wy., 82941. I will sign and inscribe the book for you. [email protected]
I think you’re right, David. Does look like a T-7 and Weaver. Available with Weaver 330 or 29S scope.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Great picture of a great man. Rifles not to shabby either. I did not know that Savage offered the scope and mounting that early, pretty cool. He was cutting edge back then.
The scope and mount could be a Weaver T7 with a Weaver 330 scope like this one. They were available in this configuration from the factory late 30's till the beginning of WWII.
Yup, I actually had a T7 mount for a long time just knowing that I would stumble on the 99 with the correct tap holes. Never did so I gave it to a young man in the Navy stationed at Norfolk who had Savage fever real bad.
Wikipedia makes the following statement about Bong:
"While on leave to the United States the following November and December (1943), Bong met Marjorie Vattendahl at a Superior State Teachers' College homecoming event and began dating her."
So maybe he had more than just a big buck to smile about when this picture was taken.
"The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle." John Stapp - "Stapp's Law" "Klaatu barada nikto"
When I first looked at that picture almost I took it for a moose with weird anthers till I could see it was two deer. Nice retro picture, a big gratitude of thanks for that mans service and sacrifice.