Just picked up a pretty clean Model 45 Super Sporter in 30-30. If I understand correctly, this model came in two versions: an early type with a rounded forend and a later one with a schnabel forend. Mine is the earlier type.

The gun is in nice original condition, with the exception of some heavy-duty military-looking sling swivels. It's got a nicely checkered walnut stock, a Lyman peep sight, and a neat little fold-down open sight. The bore is clean as a whistle. I shot it a bit last weekend, and it was surprisingly accurate and quick pointing. I know the model 40 and 45 had a reputation as cheap rifles, but this gun strikes me as being pretty well made and nicely finished. It's no Model 20, but it's a gun worth owning.

Serial # is 132XX. Anybody have a guess about the date of manufacture?

Rod

Nice pick up, looks to be in great shape. Can't help you with a date, though. Somebody probably can.

Nice, I almost bid on a 32-20 sporter, but was not any where near as nice as them one!

I always thought the 45 was a nice looking gun, pleasant checkering... my problem is being left handed... I would only buy one in VERY good condition for a VERY good price... your's sure looks like a dandy! I think they came in 30-30, 300, 250, and 30-06.

Now you got to find the other 3 !!!

Phil99: "Bout 18 yrs ago in the last hour of a gun show, an elderly man (now deceased) came in with 12-15 Mdls.40 & 45s. I got the 2nd best that he had. A 45 in 30-30. Been in the back of my closet & I haven't seen it since. The stock was nicely done over but the bluing was pristine. Don't remember Ser.No. Don't think swivels are on it & I never fired it. When I get back from camp, I'll look at it again.

The best one was a 45 in .300 Savage cal. "WOW!" Haven't seen a nicer one since... They are out there.

... 99 LL ...

Thats the only reason I dont have one, Im left handed also! and not much of a bolt guy, but Id pick a nice one up for the right price!

And bolt action .30-30s SHOOT! Even a "hardware store brand" 340 will usually shoot great.

Yeah, I'm left-handed too, but I've managed with right-handed bolt guns for many years. When things go right on the deerstand you only have to shoot them once anyway.

Any idea about the DOM? I understand these rifles were made from 1928 to 1940.

Rod

With no mag release, 1935 or earlier. In 1936 they went to a mag release.

Lovemy99,
Being a lefty is a bit of spoiler isn't it? So many older Savages, so few lefty's.

I'm always impressed by the quality of the early Savage bolt actions--20, Sporter, Super Sporter, 23 or 3/4/5. Except for the 20, they were meant as "cheap guns" but there's nothing cheap about the way they handle and shoot. Wish guns had this kind of fit and finish nowadays. Now you have to put a thou or so into a factory gun to get it the way a Savage from the hardware store was in the 1920s and 1930s.

I also like the cocking piece on the early Sporters and Super Sporters; I guess I like to "see how a gun works"--when that thing falls, you know something is gonna happen! My 4S has one, too.

One of my local stores has a .30-06 Super Sporter for sale; if anybody is interested, I can investigate it for 'em. (PM me)

Blue Book shows production at 16,000 40's and 6,000 45's. production years are listed as 1928-1942. Given the above and some sales figures I have I would guess that the production of your rifles was around 1934...?

Your rifle would have shipped with the standard Savage sling eyes.

PS...the catalogs list the stock change as 1935. I would guess that only about 1/4 of the 45's would have been in the later style.

Thanks for the info Rick.

Rod

Nice lookin Lefty here

look away its a current auction!!

Just can't bring myself to put a bid on a rifle by sale with somebody by that name.. whether it's him or not.

I think it is him...