Welcome to at this time’s Photo of the Day! Round 1912, Savage sought a slice of the profitable .25 ACP pocket pistol market more and more dominated by Colt and FN/Browning. Their entrant grew to become the little-known Savage 1912, designed however by no means commercially launched. Barely 40 examples left Savage’s workshops throughout two small batches with slight variances. The preliminary twenty .25s wore extensive slide serrations echoing earlier Savage automatics together with full manufacturing facility markings. These first Savage 1912s additionally bore “M” prefixes of their serial numbers ranging from 1000. A second run of twenty emerged later boasting Savage’s up to date slimline slide striations however with unadorned metallic. Mechanically, the straight blowback Savage 1912 operated distinctly from Savage’s acquainted 1907 locking system. But basic Savage DNA like the protection latch and heel journal launch endured within the Savage 1912. Economics seemingly doomed the 1912’s manufacturing hopes fairly than high quality or design. At this time, the Mannequin 1912’s rarity locations costs comparable with elaborately engraved .45 caliber Savage Trials pistols.
“These pistols, loosely termed the Mannequin 1912, by no means made it to full manufacturing, making them extremely scarce. This instance seems to be from close to the top of the primary of two pretty distinct phases of manufacturing, pistols from that are believed to have been manufactured in 1914-1915. These pistols are mentioned on p. 133-136 of “Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr., and comparable examples to this pistol are pictured on p. 135 and 137. In contrast to the examples pictured, this pistol bears no serial quantity and no slide legend, that means it’s seemingly a transitional prototype, as the opposite serial numbered examples are famous as being prototypes themselves and having a slide legend. This instance has the distinct “first part” extensive serrations on the slide, just like the Mannequin 1907. Curiously, the pistols within the “second part” of improvement are famous for having no slide legend, like this instance, but additionally function narrower slide serrations, lending credence to the speculation of this being a transitional prototype. These pistols have been a straight blowback design with a slide a lot the identical form because the Savage Mannequin 1907, a grip security, and {a magazine} capability of six rounds. It’s fitted with blade and notch sights and a pair of checkered onerous rubber grips with “SAVAGE” on the tops and the Savage brand on the middle.”
Lot 1470: Savage Prototype Semi-Automated Pistol in .25 ACP – Wonderful and Extremely Uncommon Savage Prototype Semi-Automated Pistol in .25 ACP. (n.d.-f). Rock Island Public sale Firm. {photograph}. Retrieved January 12, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/87/1470/savage-prototype-semiautomatic-pistol-in-25-acp.