Savage Model 1920 300 Savage 24” Bolt Action Rifle 1920 C&R
SOLD FOR: $935.00
WOA#: WY240311SH003
Make: Savage
Model: 1920
Serial Number: 6602
Year of Manufacture: 1920 -1931
Caliber: Savage 300
Action Type: Bolt Action
Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE SAVAGE ARMS CORP. / UTICA, NEW YORK . U.S.A./ PAT MARCH. 28, 1916.DEC.26.1916,JUNE 17.1919″. The left of the chamber is marked HI PRESSURE STEEL/ SAV. 300. The left side of the receiver is marked “SAVAGE 1920 MODEL / 6602.”. The rear sight is marked “SAVAGE ARMS CORP. / UTICA, NEW YORK PAT PEND.” The left side of the receiver on the ejection port lip is marked “6602”. The Steel buttplate has the Savage “Chiefton” engraved at the lower right of the plate along with the words “Savage Quality Trademark”
Barrel Length: 24”
Sights / Optics: The Model 20 comes with an elevator-adjustable rear sight and a Marble’s Sheard blade with a brass insert up front.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a one piece smooth hardwood stock with semi pistol grip, straight comb, and slightly curved steel serrated buttplate and a trim yet man-size, oil-finished stock of English walnut. The stock was given nicely executed yet rather coarse 16-line checkering and an extremely thin Schnabel fore-end.The Checkering is still sharp on the forend and very viable on the pistol grip. Some of the peaks have softened. There are scratches, scuffs, scrapes, nicks, and compressions throughout. There is some loss on the right side of the buttstock at the mid section of the buttplate. There are no cracks. The LOP measures 14 1/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is well defined. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 8.5/10 given its age.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 87% of its metal finish. Most of the finish has gone to a browned patina. There is standard operation wear on the action. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about very Good condition for a C&R Rifle.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: Designed by Charles Nelson, who was the chief engineer at Savage, the Model 1920 was America’s first lightweight mountain rifle. The action weighs 39.5 ounces—about 10 ounces less than the action of the Remington Model 30. Additional weight was removed by giving the rifle a thin, 22-inch barrel (24 inches in .300 Savage) and a trim yet man-size, oil-finished stock of English walnut. The stock was given nicely executed yet rather coarse 16-line checkering and an extremely thin Schnabel fore-end.
The Model 20 action is basically a modified version of the 1898 Mauser action. A bracket-style recoil lug sandwiched between the front of the receiver and a shoulder on the barrel is similar to the one used many years later by Remington on the Model 721/722 and Model 700 rifles, but it was machined rather than blanked, and a large pin held it firmly against the face of the receiver. Its bottom was drilled and tapped for the front action bolt. An uncommonly large-diameter receiver ring encloses the front of the bolt with a thick layer of steel. The swing-over safety of the Mauser was replaced by a two-position, shotgun-style sliding safety attached to an extension of the receiver tang. Pulling the safety to the rear blocks sear movement and prevents bolt rotation. In lieu of a safety lug as on the Mauser bolt, an L-shaped slot was machined through the top of the receiver ring for both the passage of and the rotation of the bolt handle. A wall of metal left standing behind the bolt handle serves as a safety shoulder. The fact that the Model 20 was introduced during the days of iron sights made that a satisfactory arrangement, but it would have been quite unpopular if telescopic sights had been in common use.
The Savage Model 1920 was America’s first lightweight mountain rifle, designed by Charles Nelson. It was chambered in .300 Savage and produced from around 1920 until the late 1990s. Hunters loved this rifle, and Savage reportedly sold almost one million Model 99s during its production run.
In this writer’s opinion this rifle was created for the market in the year 1920 and shipped out to represent the Savage Arms Company as “America’s First Lightweight Mountain Rifle”. It is Over 100 years old and would still work as designed if asked to do so today. It stands as a testament to what savage can build. In a world of throwaway toys and replacement parts this rifle still stands strong after a century of mountainous use.
Over the years, the Savage Model 1920 has become a collectible piece among firearm enthusiasts, valued for its historical significance and craftsmanship. Its role in the development of small-caliber rifles in the United States marks it as an important piece of the country’s firearms heritage, showcasing the innovation and quality that Savage Arms is known for. Please see our high quality photos and good luck on your bid. -K.F.
