Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors Better letter this one !!!! Deluxe 1899

I like the idea of making a list of catalogs with there variations and dates as a Fest handout. This is something that could be done earlier via PM or e-mail between those that want to do the work. The older catalogs tend to fall apart. I don't know that I would want to try to do this at the Fest. Too little time and too much else going on to miss out on.

The original older catalogs can be rather pricy ($100 to over $1000) and I don't think we should make copies too freely available. Mid-30's and later not so concerned about.

Rick, Unfortunately all but a few Savage Catalogs, including the early ones, are already available as re-prints and we could buy them for less than we could make them. The option would be to make a reprint of one that is not available... yet, ... and that would have to be an early one... and if Cornell ever gets their hands on a copy they will certainly make a re-print of it.

Rick, I think your #24 (first edition) is earlier than mine because the loose page with the Model 1909 in mine is the finished page that got added for the second edition.

Loggah, I am starting to feel we have hi-jacked your thread, sorry for that, I just hope you find the info helpful even if it is off from your original subject.

I don't mind at all, but i think if a new catalog thread was started there would be a lot more talk about it,and info gathered. I would think price lists thru the years would be very important also.

I didn't see these on Cornell:
1895
1896 (don't know if there is one)
1897 (Savage Fest printing)
1898 (don't know if there is one)
1899
1902
1904
#16
#40
#50
#55
#55A
#57
#60 Supplement

Who is Joseph T. Vorisek? I see his name on one of the publications. Is he only published on Cornell?

He was an arms historian/writer. Some books on Amazon, more on Cornell. His Savage history is general and decent, not as detailed as Murray. Doesn't totally agree with Murray naming convention.

FIREARMS BOOKS BY JOSEPH T VORISEK

Joseph Thomas Vorisek was born June 15,1944 in New Milford, Connecticut. Joe graduated from Central Connecticut University with a B.A. in Business Administration and received his MBA from the University of Connecticut. He was employed by the Travelers Insurance Company for 26 years before retiring and starting his own business as an Insurance Consultant. Married for 40 years to Shirley Vorisek, he was the father of two daughters.

His enthusiasm for firearms began when he was a teenager. He was interested in firearms marks and makers, finding them fascinating and an art form. As a young man living in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut he hunted deer and birds. He continued his love of the sport throughout his life. His in-depth research began early and lasted his lifetime. His studies made him an expert in the field of antique firearms. Joe was a lifelong member of the NRA, as well as many local gun associations. As the years passed, his active involvement in shooting waned while his dedication to research grew. In addition to his many books, Joe wrote the Shotgun Newsletter for many years and had articles published in various gun magazines. He was a friend and colleague of Charles E. Carder who researched many of the same subjects. Joe's death on December 25th, 2005 left a deep void for family, friends, collectors and history buffs.





BOOKS:
American Arms - History of an Arms Maker by Joe Vorisek
Belgian Gunmakers with Trademark Names 1909, List of
Breechloading Shotgun Old Parts Chart
Breechloading Shotguns 1860 -1940 Set of all 3 Volumes - Vorisek
Breechloading Shotguns 1860-1940 Vol. I A-F
Breechloading Shotguns 1860-1940 Vol. II G-P
Breechloading Shotguns 1860-1940 Vol. III R-Z
Breechloading Shotguns, Listing of Observed
Canadian Gunsmiths 1650-1900 & London Gunsmiths 1850-1900
Crescent Arms Trade Brands
Digest of Advertising for Firearms and Ammunition 1873-1940
DWM Headstamp Codes The Flobert Gun - History
Forehand Arms Company, An Illustrated History of the
Handgun Trade Brands, U.S. Mfrs & Dist. 1865-1930
Harrington & Richardson Arms Co., A Short Illustrated History of
Hopkins & Allen Arms Co. Fifty Years of Gunmaking 1867 - 1917; Vorisek
Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works, A Short Illustrated History of
Savage Arms Company History
Shotgun Markings Guide 1865-1940
Stevens Arms Company History by Joe Vorisek
List of Peoples Names and Where They Worked in the US Firearms Industry (pre 1940)
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, A Short Illustrated History
A Basic Reference Guide to Old Firearms (Serial Nos. etc.)
Belgium, Shotgun Making in (A Short History)
Breechloading Shotgun Identification Illustrated Guide

To answer a couple questions -

Loggah, looking at my catalogs it appears that separate price lists were first used with cat #60 and it was only a supplemental list because the catalog had everything priced. I think catalog #61 is the first that did not have any prices listed in the catalog.

Rick - I have not seen a 1902, 1904 or a 55A, is the 1904 about the same as a 1903 but with out the date? Does the 55A have the same cover as the 55?

Rick & Rick, I had skimmed through a copy of Joe Vorisek's 'Savage Arms Company History' that Stever had at the Ohio Fest. I found it very inaccurate for information on Savage 22 & Shotguns - I did not look it over closely to see how well he did on the 1899/99's. I did buy a copy recently so that I could address some of the inaccuracies I believe it has. His information about the Meriden Arms 22 and 12 gauge slide-actions and the relationship to Savage models is completely wrong. I personally would not suggest it as a reference - I will bring my copy to the Fest so anyone can judge for themselves without investing in a copy. I have not seen his 'Stevens Arms Company History' but I have been hesitant to buy one based on what I found with the Savage book.

I just went out and took inventory of my Utica catalogs,and price lists, heres what i have.

1899
1900-1960 repo
1903
#16 1907?
#24 2nd edition repo.
#35
#50
#55A
#61
#62 1922 with price list
#63 Natures rogue gallery and price list 1923?
#63 Grizzly bear with price list ,and 12-10-24 letter
#65 with Jan.3, 1928 price list
#65 with Jan,2,1930 price list,also the new savage repeating play rifle flyer,also model 20 and 25 discontinued stampings
#66 1932 ?
#68 1934 Mar.1 1934 price list
#69 1935 with the prices all penciled in.
#70 1936 Nov.25 1936 price list
#71 1937 Feb 1 1937 price list
#72 1938 Jan.3 1938 price list
#76 1946 Nov 15 1946 price list

Maybe some of this will help date catologs. Don

The 1902 and 1903 have the same cover. My 1902 is dated on the 1st page. There are at least two versions of the 1903. One with the 1902 cover and dated inside. The other is the same but with a "1903" date on the cover.

The 1904 is small like a #35, has a red cover with an Indians head facing left and two feathers in his hair. I've only seen two copies and one did not have a cover.

I got 2 1903's i guess i better look thru them.

Been out of the loop for a couple days. A supplement on the catalogs would be a great addition to the books. I am mentioning the catalogs frequently especially errors but including pics of interesting covers and photos that they used for promotion such as the tiger killed with the .22 H-P. David