This is an extremely rare US Military pistol that was manufactured for 1907 U.S. military test trials. During the Philippine Insurrection, the US Army had been equipped with the Colt Model 1894 revolver that fired the anemic Colt 38 revolver cartridge. Subsequent to that, in early 1904 John Browning was developing a substantially larger and improved cartridge, which resulted in the 45 ACP cartridge. In January 1906 BG Crozier, (Chief of Ordnance) issued a letter of invitation to the gun manufacturing industry to develop and submit a new semiautomatic handgun based on utilizing this new 45 ACP cartridge. Eighteen companies initially responded but only eight actually submitted a test sample pistol, with Savage and Colt being two of the companies. Ultimately this competition resulted in the contract award to Colt for the Model 1907 pistol. The Savage Model 1907 test pistols were issued to the 3rd, 6th and 11th Cavalry units for field tests, with comprehensive tests being conducted by the Army between 1907 and 1911. In total only 288 Savage .45 caliber automatic pistols were manufactured between 1907 and 1911. At the completion of the 1911 competition all the pistols were sold to Tryon & Company with most examples being refinished and remarked. As note this pistol is a super rare all original unaltered example can be distinguished by the following features; it has the full length barrel rib marked on top in two lines "MANUFACTURED BY SAVAGE ARMS CO./UTICA N.Y. U.S.A. PAT. NOV. 21. 1905." that ends with the markings of "CAL 45", it still retains the original thin/narrow grip safety that is not integral with the rear of the frame; it has the Model 1909 improved marking designs of "FIRE" and "SAFE" at the rear of the frame and the wider checkered walnut grip panels. Interestingly this specific pistol has been numbered "3" on the upper edge of the left grip probably indicating that this fine pistol was in Group 3, slated for one of the various tests that the military ran on these pistols. It is complete with one original magazine with the blued floor plate. This rare example is correctly serial numbered on the inside of the frame (197) the back side of each grip panel (197) and the underside of the upper slide/bolt assembly (197). The back side of the magazine is numbered (77).

Very fine with 95% of the factory refurbished blue finish overall with some light thinning of the blue finish on the sides of the barrel housing and grip straps with some light browning on the back strap. The grips are also in very fine condition with a nice dark brown matching color with clear distinct checkering on both sides, with some minor handling marks. The right grip does show an old minor crack down the middle of the grip which has been nicely reglued which has blended in extremely well over time. These early automatic test pistols are extremely rare as most saw extensive use and or were heavily reworked after all the testing was completed. This example is extremely rare and is probably the best, highest condition Savage Test pistol we have ever offered for sale to date.