1917 SAVAGE 380 HELP NEEDED

[cowboy94916]

I have been helping a friend of a friend figure out what the latters recently widowed mother found. It was in the jacket pocket, of a coat her late husband had not worn in over 50 years. She asked her son to find out if it was worth anything. He not knowing anything about guns, brought it to my friend who couldn't figure it out. He in turn contacted me yesterday.

I think I have correctly determined that it is a 1917 Savage 380 auto. Wether it is version 1 or 2, I have not ascertained. It seems to function but slide is very stiff but operable. I forgot to get the serial number and to take a pic of same. I believe from what I have found that Nickel plated 1917 are rare, especially, in condition this one is in.

What I need to figure out is, am I correct and what might the value of this piece be. Also, the best way they might have of getting that value, ergo auction etc. Any help will be appreciated by them and myself.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Definitely a 1917. I seem to recall the only variations have to do with how the barrel was cut, the rest is the same and doesn't have much affect on the value.

If that is factory nickel plated, it is extremely rare and very valuable - double the price of a normal one or more. Also, that one looks to be in excellent to minty condition. A Savage collector would pay a lot for that example. That's the type of find collectors dream about. Do they have the original box/paperwork stashed away? If so, it would be even more valuable.

That example would definitely be worth getting a factory letter with its details. As far as price - I don't know. I would imagine $1500 or more. Get in touch with one some of the Savage historical people, they'd probably be able to direct you more on how to sell it. A well advertised gunbroker listing with good photos and a well written description will bring the most exposure. Most importantly, the family needs to not just dump it for nothing.

 

[Willie McHobblin]

I have been helping a friend of a friend figure out what the latters recently widowed mother found. It was in the jacket pocket, of a coat her late husband had not worn in over 50 years. She asked her son to find out if it was worth anything. He not knowing anything about guns, brought it to my friend who couldn't figure it out. He in turn contacted me yesterday.

I think I have correctly determined that it is a 1917 Savage 380 auto. Wether it is version 1 or 2, I have not ascertained. It seems to function but slide is very stiff but operable. I forgot to get the serial number and to take a pic of same. I believe from what I have found that Nickel plated 1917 are rare, especially, in condition this one is in.

What I need to figure out is, am I correct and what might the value of this piece be. Also, the best way they might have of getting that value, ergo auction etc. Any help will be appreciated by them and myself.


View attachment 781454

Cowboy, there are videos that show how to takedown this pistol. When I bought mine it was full of crusty 100 year old grease, a good cleaning & some lube made it cycle smoothly. Fun to shoot & accurate.
B.T.W. that's a good looking pistol.

 

[s&wchad]

I suspect it's been refinished. Rock Island sold a documented nickel Savage pistol and the safety catch was blued.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...-order-nickel-plated-savage-model-1907-pistol

 

[LVSteve]

I suspect it's been refinished. Rock Island sold a documented nickel Savage pistol and the safety catch was blued.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/d...-order-nickel-plated-savage-model-1907-pistol

This. Color me very shocked if this turns out to be factory nickel.

All the same, I like it as I have a thing for pistols with rotating lock up systems.

 

[Rule3]

Not sure if it was refinished sometime in it's life. Actually it is Model 1907 made in 1911

 

[Doriangray6]

Here's an excellent video by Ian at Forgotten Weapons discussing the different Savage models from the 1907s to the 1917s.
Here my 1907. Somewhere in it's long life it was nickel plated which unfortunately hasn't worn well but it still works fine.

 

[JohnRippert]

Wasn't the Savage one of the first with a staggered hi-capacity magazine? I picked up one off GB a ways back. Always had a thing for .32 Autos like this Savage and the Walther PP.

 

[Rustywrench]

Very interesting little pistols Savage made. Funny, the model 1917, was made starting 1920.
1920-1929, as per Bailey Brower Jr. Book, "Savage Pistols".
Factory Nickel was an option, as a letter may be only way to know for sure. A Picture in BB book, does show a Nickel 1917, Looks like yours, as near as my eyes can allow me.
Serial number , of course, will reveal manufacture year. So, odd too me, serial number is located on front of frame, below barrel, when its pointed at you. Minor features changed between the years. I cant seem to locate the pictures of the slide markings, as there were 2 types. Disclaimer.. I am looking at the book now, I don't know much without my Library. Usually, just enough to be dangerous. Good Luck with your search, I hope it is Factory Nickel finished. Neat Piece of History. Thanks for sharing pictures.

Year Serial
1920-1921 229800-245000
1921-1926 245000-259472
1920 15749B-21600B
1921-1928 21600B-29972B

Numbers out of the book. appears 14,225 made in .380, total. 29,072 made in .32 caliber.
Only 2 noted, as .380 caliber, produced in 1929...

 

[desi2358]

Could be the lighting for the pics but the finish on the OP's pistol looks more like chrome than nickel to me. Savage didn't make very many factory plated pistols so it might be wise to contact their historical service.

 

[dsf]

FWIW, assuming the refinish is in excellent shape, I'd say value if buying is a weak $300.00.

 

[Rudi]

IIRC John Moses designed them. There are no screws involved. Some were in .45acp as well.

 

[desi2358]

IIRC John Moses designed them. There are no screws involved. Some were in .45acp as well.

No, the Savage was designed by Elbert Searle and was intended to compete with the Browning designed Colt 1903. They did make a 45 caliber version which came in second to the Colt 45 auto in military tests. A good design but it didn't hold up quite as well as the Colt which was adopted as the 1911. The .32 and .380 Savage pistols were the most successful domestic competition to the Colt 1903 series, a good and popular design.