Savage Model 1907 Serial Numbers
.32 caliber, 3.75' barrel length, S/N 33177, markings in 2 lines on top of the frame 'Manufactured By Savage Arms Co.' Over ' Utica, N.Y. 21, 1905' next to 'Cal. Factory scroll engraving on the frame and back strap. More importantly, the back strap has a presentation inscription 'Col W.F. This historic firearm is finished in blue with case colored trigger and smooth pearl grips. The pearl grips have a center escutcheon on each side marked 'SA'.
Included with this historic firearm, which has been referred to as a 'National Treasure', is a copy of the original Savage Arms factory ledger listing this piece by serial number and described as a Special Grade with Pearl Grips on June 12, 1911 and sent to Buffalo Bill on on August 22, 1911.Cody and the pistol are mentioned on page 82 of Daniel K. Stern's book 10 Shots Quick: The Fascinating Story of the Savage Pocket Automatics, which is included in the lot. The author states that ' Colonel Cody obtained his first Savage on August 22, 1911.
The pistol was a.32 'Special' grade - the top quality of engraving and fitted with pearl grips - serial 33177.' Also included with the lot is page 61 of an undated issue of Everybody's Magazine, which features a picture of the pistol, along with a picture and testimonial from Cody himself. The advertisement reads:Buffalo Bill Outshoots Himself with It. Gentleman: 'In reply to your inquiry, a friend gave me a 10 shot automatic pistol for Christmas. It is the first automatic pistol I ever owned or fired. I had turned them down without trial, and stuck to an old army revolver. Today I took the old revolver and the Savage Automatic out and fired each fifty times, making, to my surprise a much better score with the Savage than I could with my old pet gun'. Yours Very Truly, W.F.
Savage 1907 32 Auto
Cody (Buffalo Bill).Also included is an undated promotional pamphlet for the automatic pistol titled Ten Shots Quick, which features Cody's name on page two under a list of famous authorities praising the Savage automatic.