Spring 2024 Premier Firearms & Militaria Auction
June 7th, 8th, 9th, & 10th, 2024
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SAVAGE 1899-D MONTREAL HOME GUARD LEVER ACTION RIFLE
24-777
Cal. 303
S# 165113
Canada entered WWI alongside Great Britain in August of 1914. Canada’s small regular military & national guard were sent to Europe, leaving primarily men over age 40 at home. Many jurisdictions formed their own Home Guard units to protect against invasion by the Germans. Prominent citizens of Montreal, Quebec, formed a Home Guard unit in 1914. As most suppliers of rifles had military contracts, the Montreal Home Guard turned to Savage for suitable arms. These were musket configuration. Bbls. 28″ w/ turn down muzzles for bayonet attachment. Features included blue finish w/ case colored levers, pin type cocking indicators & brass rotary mags. w/ left side cartridge counters. Full length finger groove forearms w/ hand guards & straight grip walnut stocks w/ steel musket buttplates were standard. Other features included military ladder sights & sling swivels. This rifle is fitted w/ a German silver blade front sight & elevator adj. sporting rear sight. Buttplate peaks had rack numbers stamped by Savage, the highest number observed is 1,015. This rare rifle has rack number 500. This rifle differs from the standard Home Guard gun in having a sporter length schnable tipped forearm w/ finger grooves. This forearm has a plugged hole in the approx. position of the bbl. band w/ forearm mounted sling swivel. Serial numbers range from 162,000 to 175,500. The first shipments were in early December, 1914. Shipments of serial numbers in the 165,000 range arrived on three consecutive days in late December, 1914. Final shipments arrived in April, 1915. CONDITION: over 90% bright blue showing small scratches & marks on receiver. Lever retains 80% case colors. Buttplate retains 50% fading blue. Stock has original finish showing wear spots w/ scattered handling marks & a hairline crack behind the top tang. Forearm has worn finish w/ added wood repairs along bbl. line at both sides of receiver. The metal hand guard retainer is trimmed flush w/ the receiver. Bbl. is bright w/ very good rifling.
STATUS: CURIO
