This is an extremely rare and unique U.S. Martial "Test" pistol that was originally manufactured for 1907-1911 U.S. military test trials. During the Philippine Insurrection, the U.S. 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 into 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 semi-automatic 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 compensative tests being conducted by the Army as well, between 1907 and 1911. In total only 288 Savage .45 caliber semi-automatic pistols were manufactured between 1907 and 1911. At the completion of the 1911 competition all the pistols were sold to the Tryon & Company with most all examples being refinish and remarked. As note this pistol is a super rare all original unaltered example which 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. It is complete with one original magazine that has the nickel plated magazine body with the blued floor plate. This rare example is correctly serial numbered on the inside of the frame the back side of each grip panel (102) and the underside of the upper slide. bolt assembly (102). The back side of the magazine is numbered (216). Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection

Excellent with 95% plus of the bright original high polished blue finish with only minor high spot wear. The trigger retains 90% plus vivid original case colors with some minor fading on the face of the trigger. The grips are also excellent with nice distinct original checkering on both sides. There is a hairline crack down the back edge of the right grip. This is not only just an exceptional high condition Savage test pistol, it remains in the original unaltered condition. This would certainly be the center piece of any high end U.S. Martial pistol collection. This is among the finest Savage .45 Test Pistols we have ever offered at auction!