In the early 1900s, Winchester, who was one of America's leading firearms manufacturers, explored the idea of adapting one of their extremely popular single shot .22 rifle models into a pistol. After producing several prototypes, many of which have been recently sold here at Rock Island Auction Company, Winchester scrapped the concept after deciding that the market wasn't ready for such a different type of pistol. Unsurprisingly, Savage, one of Winchesters closest American competitors, got wind of Winchester's wild idea and began work on some prototypes of their own, this example being one of them. This specific pistol is pictured and described on p. 179 of "Savage Pistols" by Bailey Brower, Jr., where it is described as an action and shortened barrel from a Savage Model 1905 rifle attached to a revolver style grip. Out of all the known Savage prototypes of this style, this example most closely resembles those of their competition. Also included is a letter from Bailey Brower, Jr. where he states that the pistol was acquired from Michael Carney, a well-known gun dealer in the Syracuse/Utica area of New York. He states that Carney had access to the Savage Research & Development storeroom, from which he purchased many rare Savage firearms. Carney and Savage historian Roe Clark estimated that Savage likely only produced three or four of these rare prototypes before abandoning their efforts to push such a pistol to full production. The pistol is numbered "24516" on the bottom of the barrel and action. It is fitted with blade front and fixed notch rear sights, and there appear to be two filled holes on top of the barrel where a rear sight was previously mounted. Provenance: The Bailey Brower, Jr. Collection, author of “Savage Pistols”

Very good as a unique Savage factory prototype, showing mostly a smooth grey patina overall. The wood stock is also very good with some scattered minor dings and scratches. Decocks upon opening, otherwise mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own a scarce piece of Savage developmental history!