First Post: Savage 1907 parts

[GonzoGeezer]

Hello,

I recently acquired my first 1907 Savage, a .32ACP manufactured in 1917 (171xxx). The gun is in overall excellent original condition. The only thing it's missing is the loaded chamber indicator.

I know it's a stretch to find a minor component in a 100-year old pistol. Are there caches of Savage parts still in existence? I can still find some parts for my old Walthers and given the numbers of Savages made (250k or so) I would imagine there is some stock left.

Any advice appreciated.

Lee

 

[25cschaefer]

I looked in my Jack First book and didn't see that model, could it be known as something else or produced by someone else? I'm not saying it's not what you say it is just that I don't know enough about them to know if they were something else as well. They have a diagram for the 1917 pistol but I saw no chamber indicator; could the part act as something else as well? If all else fails, you could call Jack First at: 605-343-9420, the ladies and gentlemen there know their parts. The old man has been collecting parts since the times when your gun was considered a viable carry option.

 

[GonzoGeezer]

Thank you, I will call. The facsimile original owners manual "Banish Fear" on the Web shows the part, #40 in the diagram. The 1917 eliminated the chamber indicator. The diagram on Numrich's site doesn't show it, which I attributed to it being a diagram for the 1917 but it doesn't show the safety bar either, a major omission.

Thanks again for the reply and lead.

ETA: Paydirt! Jack First has a used one, which I just ordered. It's returnable if it's not correct. They also sold me a slightly damaged copy of the handgun parts catalog since I don't do much with long guns. Some of my other "senior citizens" may need parts in the future.

Thanks again!

 

[25cschaefer]

You are welcome, I got an opportunity to visit them back in the spring whilst visiting my grandmother and was astounded at the variety, quality, and number of parts they have. They also make new parts if they are no longer available and commercially viable, the owner's grandson is a whiz with CAD and CNC and is producing a number of obsolete parts. I picked up a new production Remington Model 10 sear that was of exacting dimensions, superior finish, and heat treated correctly.

 

[Jim K]

Be very careful when installing that loaded chamber indicator not to spring it any more than absolutely necessary, as they are brittle. (That is the reason so many are missing or have the lug broken off!) The indicator is not needed, of course, and the early 1907's didn't have it, which explains the confusion in drawings and descriptions. It began to be installed around Nov. 14, 1912, about # 78600, based on a patent by Charles A. Nelson, a Savage employee. It was probably inspired by the indicator on the Luger and a few other pistols, while it gave Savage a "one up" on Colt, whose pistols had no loaded chamber indicator.

Jim

 

[GonzoGeezer]

Thank you for the heads up, Jim. I will try to be careful.

Brower designates my pistol as one a 1907-13 Mod. 1. The chamber indicator was still standard in this group.

As I suspected and as reinforced by other shooters, the 1907 did okay at a short range session this morning. The minuscule sights, range lighting, and my aging eyes all conspired to make the 15 yard shot grouping quite wide. But I was more interested in a function test, which went fine, one misfeed in 25 rounds. I want all my senior citizens to run even though I don't take them out very often.

Lee

 

[GonzoGeezer]

Package arrived yesterday. One chamber indicator ($18), used, and a slightly damaged copy of version 13 of Jack First's catalog Volume one ($10). A few minutes with a lump of Nev'r Dull and the part looks as good as new. Carefully installed and tested, all is well.

My thanks to all who offered guidance and suggestions.

 

[HisSoldier]

Interesting, how one can own and have studied a pistol and never known of a significant aspect. Mine doesn't have a LCI and I didn't know of it at all. These are very interesting pistols with the rotating barrel and the story of how they competed against Colt for the military's sidearm (In .45 ACP of course).
Mine is 22,### which puts it quite a ways earlier than 78600. "Ten shots quick!" So the LCI sticks up for a tactile indication?

 

[Jim K]

Yes, the loaded cartridge indicator sticks out a bit and can be seen and felt. It looks a lot like the pocket clip from a fat ball pen.

In my earlier post, I said that the early Model 1907's did not have the LCI, but failed to mention that the late ones did not, either. It was costly and such a PITA that Savage dropped it about Sept., 1917, around S/N 172000. (The Model 1915 had the LCI, but it was discontinued about the same time and the Model 1917 never had the feature.)

Jim