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Documented "National Treasure" Factory Presentation Engraved Savage Model 1907 Pistol Inscribed to Famed U.S. Army Scout, Buffalo Hunter and Wild Western-Showman Buffalo Bill Cody
LOT 1279
Historic Documented “National Treasure” Factory Engraved and Inscribed Savage Model 1907 Semi- Automatic Pistol Presented to Buffalo Bill Cody by the Factory - Serial no. 33177, 32 ACP cal., 3.75 inch round bbl., blue finish, pearl grips. This pistol was obtained by Buffalo
Bill Cody in August 1911 and is listed in the Savage factory records as a “32 Special Grade.” It has exceptional, diminutive scroll engraving on the frame and slide, and the back strap is engraved with the inscription “COL. W.F.CODY”. It is fitted with an original and very rare set of pearl grips that are smooth and flat to the frame and have steel center escutcheons with the “SA” monogram for Savage Arms. Buffalo Bill Cody was quoted in many Savage advertisements as saying; “This is the first automatic pistol I ever owned or fired. I had turned them down without trial and stuck to an old Army revolver. Today
I took the old revolver and the Savage automatic out and
fired each fifty times making, to my surprise, a much better score with the automatic than I could with my old pet gun.” Because of his fondness for this pistol, in November, 1911 and January, 1912 Buffalo Bill Cody ordered five Savage pistols to be engraved with the names of some of his friends. This pistol and it’s inscription is mentioned on page 82 in the book “10 Shots Quick The Fascinating Story of the Savage Pocket Automatics” by Daniel K. Stern; is featured and pictured on page 25 of
“The Arms Gazette” July 1979 issue, and is also pictured and discussed on page 308 in the book “The Peacemakers: Arms and Adventure in the American West” by R.L. Wilson. In addition this exquisite and extremely rare and historic pistol was on loan and display in the Buffalo Bill Museum, at the “Buffalo Bill Historical Center” in Cody Wyoming circa (1981-1983). Accompanying this pistol are several letters and ownership papers documenting
its authenticity to include a copy of the Savage ledger book, showing this specific pistol having been shipped to Col. W.F. Cody on August 22, 1911 and marked as a “Spec Grade”. R. L. Wilson further wrote that” the embellishments are superbly done, including the back strap inscription.” Buffalo Bill’s historic association with Bat Masterson, who promoted Savage pistols and the published endorsement of Buffalo Bill adds to the fascination. At the time of writing R.L. Wilson regarded the “Buffalo Bill Cody presentation Savage pistol as an extraordinary artifact of it’s time and one of the most fascinating and historical pistols ever made.”This is an extremely rare opportunity to own this rare, historic, engraved, presentation pistol once owned
by one of the worlds greatest showmen, renowned marksman, pioneer hero and American folk legend, Buffalo Bill Cody. This historic pistol includes a period cabinet card photo of Colonel William “Buffalo Bill” F. Cody. Also included are various letters
of authentication, one of which is a letter from R.L. Wilson, in which he states; “The Buffalo Bill’s presentation Savage pistol is rare and important for many reasons; not the least being that he (Buffalo Bill) owned so very few automatic pistols.”This pistol was the only one known to him (R.L. Wilson) to “NOT” be in any collection or museum and the only one available for purchase to private collectors. The legendary “Buffalo Bill” Cody needs
no introduction to any real American aficionado as his name and exploits are synonymous with the opening of the western frontier, his hunting exploits while employed by the railroads are famous, and he was responsible with the development and presentation of the first true Wild West shows.
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