The Savage Model 745 was made between 1940 and 1949.
It should be a 12 ga. with an alloy receiver and a 28" barrel. Federal law did not require serial numbers until 1968.
Cotter and Company was the supplier for True Value hardware. Cotter merged with ServiStar Coast to Coast in 1996.
Interesting, Cotter and Company wasn't formed until 1948.
From the True Value site:
"In 1948, John Cotter established Cotter & Company, a hardware co-op with 25 retail members. Having started his career at a neighborhood hardware store at age 12, he would build on strong industry roots. With the purchase of Hibbard, Spencer and Bartlett in 1963, Cotter not only acquired the company, but also the True Value trademark. The number of member stores expanded.
After the merger of Coast to Coast with ServiStar in 1996, the co-op's commitment to its members was further strengthened. In 1997, Cotter and Company and ServiStar Coast to Coast form one of the industry's largest dealer-owned buying group — TruServ Corporation.
Today, as True Value Company, the co-op has forged an exciting future with the launch of a new store format."
