Savage 1917-20 Modification No. 2 .380 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol, 1921-28 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,308
LSB#: 200529DW09
Make: Savage
Model: 1917-20 Modification No. 2 Pocket Automatic
Serial Number: 28126B
Year of Manufacture: 1921-1928 (“Savage Pistols” by Bailey Brower Jr.)
Caliber: .380 A.C.P. (9mm Short)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The top of the slide is marked “SAVAGE ARMS CORP. UTICA, N.Y. U.S.A. CAL. 380. / PATENTED NOVEMBER 21, 1905. – 9.M-M.”. The front of the frame under the barrel is marked “28126B”.
Barrel Length: 4 1/4”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the top of the slide. The rear sight is a square notch in a raised boss at the top rear of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are black checkered hard rubber and are trapezoidal in shape with a “Savage Quality” Indian Head logo at the tops of the grips. The smooth borders show a few scattered light nicks and scuffs. The checkering and lettering are well defined. The grips rate in about Fine overall condition.
Type of Finish: Matte Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning lightly at a few edges, mostly sharper corners. The action shows minor operational wear. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. It has a frame mounted safety and a spur hammer as used on all M1917 pistols. The slide is tight to the frame. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single 9-round double stack blued magazine. The body shows light-moderate operational wear with scattered light surface oxidation and some spots of solid erosion on the right side. The feed lips are intact and the spring is strong. Overall, the magazine is in about Good condition.
Our Assessment: The Savage Model 1917 was the follow-on to the Model 1907, and wasn’t actually put into production until 1920. The noticeable differences were a wider, flared grip and grip panels that screwed into the frame – the M1907 used no screws and had grips that snapped on. The Savage Model 1907 and 1917 pistols had some unique characteristics that distinguished them from other small autos made at that time, the most notable being a double stack 10 round magazine. The external “hammer” is really not a hammer but a cocking piece. The design of the pistol was based on the .45 Caliber pistol Savage submitted to the 1906-1911 Army trials. It was one of the first pistols to use a double-stack magazine and was advertised with the slogan “Ten Shots Quick!”. This pistol is a 1917-20 Modification No. 2, the latest .380 1917 model which does not have a loaded chamber indicator. This example is in Excellent condition retaining about 98% of its original matte blue finish, with a bright bore with sharp rifling and no erosion. This cute little pistol certainly isn’t “just another Browning copy” and is very unique, as well as being in outstanding condition for its age. This pistol deserves a spot in a collection of early American semi-automatic pistols alongside its Colt and Browning cousins. Please see our photos and good luck!
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable (THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO OUT-OF-STATE RESIDENTS): This C&R Pistol CAN be sold as a dealer sale in California and CAN be transferred as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) as our Simi Valley location. All C&R firearms must be transferred through your local dealer OR at our Simi Valley location; we cannot ship directly to a C&R holder in California. Out of state residents can disregard this section – your local laws apply.