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Definitely not the top of the ladder for condition in my collection but check out the serial number of this old girl. How many 1903's did they make? This just filled a long time hole in my Savage rimfire group. Need a 23A and a 1914 and I'll be almost done I think. Gene or Rick: one of you two mentioned that the early ones were mainly 22 short only? This one is stamped 22 S, L, LR and the mag is not stamped for caliber, only Savage Arms, Utica, N.Y. Anyone here see or own one lower than this? ![[Linked Image]](http://www.koprash.ca/maddog/HPIM1520.JPG) ![[Linked Image]](http://www.koprash.ca/maddog/HPIM1521.JPG)
Last edited by mad_dog; 11/30/09.
24 hour sarcastic S.O.B.
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That would make a nice addition to any collection!
"Somehow, the sound of a shotgun tends to cheer one up" -- Robert Ruark
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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MD, Great find!!!! I had read a long time ago that the first 1000 or so 1903's were all produced in 22 SHORT (my pre-Savage collecting days). I have recently been trying to find the old article and either disprove or confirm it somehow. Another collector had read similar information somewhere that also indicated the first run was 22 SHORT and that all were sold at the 1903 World's Fair. All recent information I have been able to dig up has been pointing to this not being true. I didn't find out until recently that it seems the 1903 Worlds Fair was posponed and wasn't held until 1904! I think this gun finally proves that old information wrong. That magazine is a new one on me, I have several different variations now and thought I might have seen them all(9). I would really appreciated close ups of it. Gene PS Is it for sale and if so how do we get it out of Canada? 
Last edited by GeneB; 11/30/09.
Gene
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I'll get some pics for you of the mag.
I think this one deserves a letter, just to see where it got to.
I read that Arthur Jr had a big part of the manufacturing of the 1903's, wonder if he actually held this one as it was only the 40th one to roll off the line.
24 hour sarcastic S.O.B.
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Nice find. I think the lowest serial we have seen is in the 600's. Don't get to see these early rifles very often. You might take some shots of the insides and post for Gene. Sometimes there are a lot different internals in the early ones.
Savage...never say "never".
Rick...
Join the NRA...together we stand, divided we fall!
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M.D.
I dug mine out of the back closet, haven't looked at it for years. Mine is not lower than yours, but found ser # on the right inside plate, not the upper/lower tang. #94,27x. Says S,L,LR on bbl. Left side of pistol grip is checkered, right side is not. Hasn't been sanded off either. Just sum info...
... 99 LL ...
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Great find MD !! Looking forward to hearing more on this one.
"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
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nice find.Great addition to the collection.Congrats
Mike
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nice looking old girl doesent get worse with age
There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of even one small candle----Robert Alden .
If it wern't entertaining, I wouldn't keep coming back.------the BigSky
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
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Any idea where one could find a magazine for one of these? My dad was given one by a friend but the mag is missing
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Check gunbroker. they show up there, figure 75 to 100 each, US.
"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
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I'd have a spare original mag for it but I've gotta find a mag for my model 1912 before I give it up.
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Dude! You totally have to get a factory letter for this one.
I am curious about the front sight and tang sight, in particular who made them. My 2nd 1903 (now with another member) came with matching Marbles sights.
Given its age and wear, it looks beautiful
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