Rock Island Auction Company is extremely pleased to offer this well-documented, incredibly rare factory presentation engraved Savage Model 1907 pistol inscribed to famed superintendent of the Metropolitan Police in Washington, D.C. and Savage promoter Major Richard Sylvester. The accompanying letter from noted arms historian Roe Clark certifies that Savage factory records confirm this pistol was accepted by the factory on July 1, 1911 and shipped on July 17, 1911 to Major Richard Sylvester with factory “C” scroll engraving, Major Richard Sylvester personalized inscription, pearl grips and 12 inch twist rifling as well as factory tested and targeted. A copy of the related Savage ledger is included. This pistol is pictured and identified in Bailey Brower’s “Savage Pistols” on pages 173 and 174 along with additional information pertaining to Sylvester as a promoter of Savage pistols on pages 39 and 245. Brower takes special note of the Savage C grade engraving, which was “the company’s finest level of embellishment,” and the “excellent condition” of the pistol (variation 1907-10 Modification No. 2). The engraving is mostly a scroll pattern with fine stippling. A zig zag line motif decorates the front strap, and a fan motif adorns the sides of the trigger guard. The gun is personalized with the inscription “MAJOR RICHARD SYLVESTER” on the back strap. The factory pearl grip panels each feature an early silver “SA” medallion. As advertised in a period factory promotional, a pistol with this type of engraving and pearl grips set a customer back $45.00. In the early 20th century, Major Richard Sylvester (1859-1930) was one of America’s most prominent lawman. Born in Iowa, Sylvester’s early life included living on a farm in Davenport, the city just across the river from our auction facility, before embarking on a journalist career. Although successful in covering crime stories and managing several newspapers, he eventually turned his career aspirations to law enforcement. From 1898 to 1915, Sylvester served as the superintendent of the Metropolitan Police in Washington, D.C. and was the founder of the International Police Chief’s Association. He was, in the words of Savage expert and author Bailey Brower, “the J. Edgar Hoover of his era.” Over the course of his 17 years leading the Metropolitan Police, Sylvester worked extensively with four U.S. Presidents (William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft and Woodrow Wilson). At this time the White House Police was a branch of the Metropolitan Police, and thus under Sylvester’s command. During his tenure he modernized the force through the introduction of reforms. One period admirer observed, “His administration of the affairs of the force has brought it up to a point of excellence and efficiency that has made the Metropolitan Police force equal to the best and a terror of evildoers all over the country. The Metropolitan police force under Major Sylvester has to its credit some of the cleverest detective work on record. In the protection of life and property in the local jurisdiction the service of the force has been of a high standard.” His tenure was not without controversy. During the March 3, 1913 Woman Suffrage Parade, the over 5,000 suffragettes marching up Pennsylvania Avenue were harassed by a large, mostly male, crowd. The police under Sylvester’s command failed to intervene and in some cases even participated in the attacks against the marchers. Sylvester eventually requested aide from the Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson who ordered U.S. cavalry troops from nearby Fort Myer to restore order. The Massachusetts and Pennsylvania national guards also aided in crowd control. Over 100 women were hospitalized for injuries. The city launched an investigation into Sylvester and the department’s conduct. In early 1915, Sylvester resigned from the Metropolitan Police after formal charges were filed against him for his failure to protect the suffragettes. He then became the chief of the private Du Pont Co. police force where he remained until his death in 1930. During World War I, Sylvester’s team uncovered a plot by saboteurs to fill fire extinguishers at DuPont factories with gasoline. Sylvester was also one of the celebrities Savage used in its advertising campaign for the Model 1907. In the promotional material his name appeared along the other famous endorsers such as Wild West showman Buffalo Bill, lawman William ”Bat” Masterson, detective William Pinkerton and detective W.J. Burns who “prefer[ed] the Savage Automatic for its speed and accuracy.” “The unanimous choice of these men may be safely backed against the world,” proclaimed the Savage booklet “It Banishes Fear!” This was after all “the greatest weapon ever invented for the protection of the home.” Using the names of celebrity shooters who endorsed the Model 1907 was part of Savage’s marketing strategy that ramped up in 1911. Savage often provided the endorser with a free gun(s) and/or payment. This factory presentation engraved and inscribed Model 1907 certainly meets that criteria. Accompanying the pistol is a large collection of research material on Major Sylvester complied by the consignor. This material includes pictures, biographical articles, newspaper articles, two thank you notes signed by Theodore Roosevelt, employment history, recommendation letters for the appointment as superintendent of the Metropolitan Police and obituaries. A portion of the material features copies of documents from the microfilm collection of presidential papers held at the Library of Congress. These historical documents include letters signed by Theodore Roosevelt, memos related to security changes resulting from the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, meetings with chief of Secret Service, U.S. President trip itineraries, and Sylvester’s request for a fishing story from President Taft that he wanted to include in a book on fishing he was writing.

Excellent, retaining 97% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some scattered high edge wear and some light spotting on the forward section of the slide. The engraving is crisp. The grips are also excellent with highly attractive fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional Savage pistol exhibiting all of the features desired by an experienced collector. High condition. Rare factory presentation grade. Savage heritage. Historically connected to our nation's capital. This pistol truly has it all!