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.