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French Savage

2900 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Dgiz, 
D
6
Hi all,
Here is a pistol I picked up in Reno this weekend.
During WW1, the French found themselves short of military weapons and pistols were no exception. The French looked to other countries for additional pistols for their army. They purchased pistols and revolvers from Spain (Rubys, Stars) and the United States (Savages, 1911s) among others.
When WW2 was in its early stages the French again found themselves short of handguns. Older pistols were either still in use or brought back out of storage. The 1935A and 1935S were also in limited production. Even commercial pistols such as the MAB D were procured.
Many French military pistols ended up in the hands of the Germans or the French resistance.
The Savage 1907 pistols from the WW1 purchases were well finished, handled well and had a higher magazine capacity(10) than other pistols of that era.
According to Adamek's "Pistols of World War I" 27,600 Savage pistols were purchased. None of the WW1 Savage contract pistols have any French markings. The majority of contract pistols will have a lanyard loop and loaded chamber indicator. The slide will be marked on the top "SAVAGE ARMS CO. UTICA. N.Y.U.S.A. CAL.32. PATENTED NOVEMBER 21. 1905.-7.65.M-M."
They also fall into specific serial number ranges 109,000-114,000/121,000-130,000/150,000-167,000 (Adamek). The serial number of this pistol is 126032. I hope you enjoy the photos.



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Loaded chamber indicator



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D
5
Lloyd,
I have to admit, that was the worst pistol I have ever cleaned! And I have cleaned a few in my day.
It is a very neat pistol. I never really looked at them until I stared researching the secondary pistols of WW2. There are some really interesting and strange designs out there. These secondary pistols are very affordable and really add to your collection. There is not really a lot of information out there regarding use. You really find yourself keeping track of wartime photos and small bits of information in reference books.
To really get to know the secondary pistols and revolvers of WW2, you have to study the WW1 pistols since that is where a lot came from. Like some of these pictured.


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All WW1 guns used in WW2.
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D
3
Nice Savage pistols!
As far the Germans using them, we haven't found any proof yet. It would stand to reason, that if the Germans got their hands on them, then they used them! What we would like to find is information that shows they reissued them. I have seen copies of both the German book on French arms and the 1939 French manual and neither show the Savage pistol....Strange because they show the Ruby, 1892 revolver and the 1873 revolver! Where did the Savage pistols go!!!
Here is a photo of an odd Savage holster I just came across. It is very well made, uses thick quality leather and brass studs for closing and it is unmarked. Question is, when and who made it? French made? Maybe made by the leather shop at Savage...someone mentioned they had one. It is identical (almost) to the "AE" marked examples.


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Compared to a "AE" marked holster


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