Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors date of manufacture sporter model 23a

I have a savage sporter model 23a .22. S/N is 34###. I understand these models were made 1923-1933. Based on the S/N is there a way to narrow down the estimated date of manufacture? Thanks in advance.

Also, are there any diagrams or a manual which still exist for this gun?

I inherited it, it was owned by my great grandfather's brother who had polio as a child & was in a wheelchair most of his life. He lived in rural Northern MN & got a lot of use out of it. It is a special gun to me & I am hoping to learn more about it. Thanks.

You may want to use the search function heren on this board. These rifles have been often discussed. SN 34XXX will be relatively early in production.

The Model 23 was introduced in 1923.

Also looking for confirmation that the gun I have is indeed a model *23a* (it doesn't say 23a anywhere on the gun, but does say it on the clip).

Barrel states: �Manufactured by Savage Arms Corp. Utica NY, USA Patented Nov 28, 1905, Sept 7, 1915, Sept 4, 1917, Nov 20, 1917 � SAVAGE SPORTER�

Clip states �23A. Sporter or NRA Match Rifle. 22 Long Rifle. Savage Arms Corp. Pat � April 28, 1908�

Also pictures attached

I tried using the search function looking back a year for sporter and didn't have much luck finding information relevant to my questions above. Am I missing something?

The search function does have its problems.

You do have a 23A. They weren't marked that way for an unknown reason. They were marked as a Savage Sporter, same as yours.

You have the correct magazine but it is missing the knurled knob that attached in the hole on the bottom of the magazine. When inserted it is flush and may be a problem to remove without the knob. You can get these on auction sites, a little pricey.

If the year of manufacture is that important, you can write John T Callahan for a factory letter. He should be able to do this for this vintage rifle. See the sticky above for misc good info.

From the data I have collected I would guess this to be a 1925 production rifle. The 23A did not actually start sales till late 1923, early 1924.

You are missing the knob on the bottom of the magazine that makes it easier to remove from the rifle.

Thanks guys, that answers a lot of my questions. I'm going to also write to Mr. Callahan.