Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 1903 22 short only ?'s from new member

I have been looking for information on savage 22's and found your forums and have to say there is a lot of really good info here that I have not been able to find elsewhere.
My request here is for any information about 1903 pumps in 22 short only. I read an article a long time ago that mentioned them - I think the article was about 22 ammunition and the savage info was in regard to the early 22 long rifle ammo not being crimped and therefore unsutable for reapeaters. I know it said that the first 1903's were all in 22 short only and also gave an estimate of the numbers which I do not remember. I was told 10,000+ by one person I asked but have since seen 3 1903's in that range listed on line that are s,l,&lr (one was #1904 on auctionarms). Thanks GeneB

GeneB.

I collect pump 22's. I have never seen or heard of the 1903 in 22 short only. The early 1903's came with two magazines. one on short the other for long and long rifle. I have a very early 03 and it is marked with all thre calibers.

Pact

The one I have is stamped 22 short on the barrel, its serial number is under 1100. I have been looking for a 22 short only magazine for it for some time without much luck (need about a 70% or better finish).

GeneB

Are there any other barrel markings?. Does it have an octagon barrel? If it has a round barrel it may be a Febiger. Picture would be nice. The 22 short mags are rare, and bring a premium. I have a couple I believe, but none that are 80%.

Pact

Its define 1903 savage (standard pre 1906 barrel markings) I am working on posting pictures (remember I'm knew) and will try it here. [img]http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/TSyWbkwYVRlH/__tn_/c420.jpg?phEYImGBNEf9nCzF[/img] [img]http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/TSyWbkwYVRlH/__sr_/c420.jpg?phAKImGBMYcMat6X[/img]

The 1903 catalog states that both chamberings were offered and that the short would be sent unless requested otherwise.

The 1904 lists both but does not state that the short would be sent unless requested otherwise.

The 1905 catalog does not refernce the short as a chambering.

I would advise you to send for a letter on your rifle (see "sticky" above). I would not be surprised if the serial numbers started at 1000. If so, you would have a very early rifle.

Please keep us posted on what you find.

Thanks for the info,I will send for a letter. I only have heard of one other 1903 in 22 Short and was told it was just over 10,000 serial number, I have not seen it myself. Mine I got at a show, it was labeled as a model 25!

(I see my attempt at posting pictures was not a success but I think you can copy the address and view the pictures that way.)

Phil Ingallinero will stumble in here after awhile...he's up on SAC 22's.

I do know that the serial numbers on the M1914 started at 1000.

Rick.

You are right, I just checked my 1903 catalog and it does say they made it in 22 short. I had never noticed that. Now it gives me one more rifle to find (crap). I have never seen one before, and come to think about it I have never seen a serial number under 1000. I believe my lowest is 3000ish. Gene I would still like to see a picture of yours.

Pact

GENEB

YES, THE 1903 SAVAGE COMES IN 22 SHORT ONLY AND 22 S,L,LR BARREL STAMPING, BARREL IS OCT. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH ONE, I DON'T HAVE ONE IN MY COLLECTTION OF SAVAGE 22'S. BUT I WOULDN'T
STOP AT A SHOT TOO BUY I IN A HEART BEAT. I WOULD PAID GOOD FOR ONE!

PHIL

I think I have the pictures, the last three used a flash and look a lot browner the they should. When I got this it had a late 1914 style breech block which I have replaced. I still need a 22 short only magazine in a condition that would match the gun.

GeneB, that is a nice looking 1903. Very nice condition even with the flash. Good luck with your hunt.

Gene

Here is a picture of the mag you need. The stamping on the side is faint. Its like that on both of the mags I have. Also the follwer is different than the more common mag. It says .22 SHORT SAVAGE ARMS COMPANY UTICA NY



Sorry about the yellow Crayon, thought that would help you see the stamping. Also notice the difference in the groves stamped in the mag.
Pact

Thanks for the pictures and the information. That 22 short magazine appears to have quite a bit of original finish yet, If you ever consider parting with it I would appreciate a chance to get it. I have had a couple of magazine dealers looking for me for a while now but they don't think it will be easy to find one in a condition that would go with my gun. I saw one recently on an internet auction that was really worn with some pitting and it went for over about $100 (probably still a good price).

I have the "L & LR" magazine. It is made like the top mag but marked like the lower except marked L & LR vs. Short.

Pact, what does the lifter look like in the short mag.?

Rick

Here is a picture of the mag followers. I did not add the 22 L & LR because I found it to be the same at the common mags. The one on the left is the .22 short only, very early. It has a flat spring. The middle is the common mag. The one one on the right is a very late mag. Notice Savage started using the Model 19 and 23 follower.

Pact

Just thought yall may be interested in what I have noticed. The 1903 bolt went through several changes. I do not think I have caught them all. This is what I have found. The age of the bolt goes from top to bottom. It used a strange firing pin. This one is in my oldest Rifle. The firing pin channel on the bolt is noticably shallow. Notice the small pin hole at the rear of the bolt. The second bolt is also from an early rifle. They deepened the firing pin channel, probably due to breakage. The third and forth bolts are the most common. The forth bolt uses what I call the dog leg firing pin. The bottom bolt is one used in the 1921/22 model. Notice the small locking block ath the rear of the bolt. The top four use the same extractor. I know there are probably mose variation. Please let me know if you have seen any different ones.

Pact

My L&LR mag is like the middle one.

Thanks for the photo's. They are great.

Here is a bolt from a very late (probably post WW1 - has dull blue finish). You can also see that the action lock is a little diferent than early models (no small prong).

Also here's a short only mag that was on ebay, it a late version.