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Evolution of the Savage Model 19 - Part 1

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5.8K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  FLT  
#1 · (Edited)
Evolution of the Savage Model 19

Evolution of the Savage Model 19 NRA Rifle

The following documents the differences between three of my Savage Model 19 NRA rifles. Serial numbers indicate the three phases of design from early (Serial 899X) to mid (Serial 2772X) to later (Serial 3942X). All are the "military" style stock with flat sling swivels, finger grooves and "knobbed" style internally restrained magazines. A casual observer would think they were all the same, but there are many differences, some major.

Serial #889X - (Stamped on round end of receiver)

Roll mark reads - Savage Arms Corp. Utica, NY. USA
Patented Nov 29 1905, Sep 7 1915, Nov 20 1917
.22 Long rifle appears stamped on top of barrel over loading port
NO model number - 19 or otherwise appears on this rifle.

SINGLE hole peep sight mount, No. 5 Peep sight, No. 6 Front blade sight. There is also an additional single hole - drilled on top of the barrel located about 1 ½ inches in front of the loading port for a rear sight if desired.

Bolt is of the early "flat faced" design with the front portion milled, DOUBLE strike firing pin, blued "dog legged" bolt handle, cock on opening, with a CONCAVE cocking piece.

Trigger is ADJUSTABLE with an access hole in the trigger guard. Trigger guard fits flush with the stock.

Receiver is integrated with the barrel and features a RECTANGULAR loading port and NO vent milled into the left side of the receiver.

Stock is 40 inches long, oiled not varnished, and has a SHALLOW bolt handle relief to accept the bolt handle when closed.

Buttplate is ribbed with Indian emblem and the words "Savage Quality."

Serial #2772X - (Stamped on right side of receiver)

Roll mark reads - Savage Arms Corp. Utica, NY. USA
Patented Nov 29 1905, Sep 7 1915, Nov 20 1917
-SAVAGE NRA MATCH RIFLE-
.22 Long Rifle appears stamped just ahead of the safety on left side

DOUBLE hole peep sight mount, No. 5 peep sight, No. 6 Front blade sight. There is also an additional single hole - drilled on top of the barrel located about 1 ½ inches in front of the loading port for a rear sight if desired.

Bolt is of the later round faced design with a CHROMED bolt handle and CONVEX cocking piece, firing pin is SINGLE strike. This action features a unique bolt that HALF-COCKS on opening and full cocks on closing thereby reducing the effort to operate the bolt.

Trigger is NOT adjustable and there is no opening in the trigger guard as in the earlier design. The trigger guard still fits into and flush with the stock.

Receiver is integrated with the barrel has an OVAL loading port, but DOES have a vent milled into the left side of the receiver.

Stock is 40 inches long and is satin varnished. It has a much more pronounced relief milled into the stock to accept the newer straight handle bolt design.

Buttplate is ribbed with the Indian emblem and the words "Savage Quality"
 
#2 · (Edited)
Part 2


Serial #3942X - (Stamped on right side of receiver)

Roll mark reads - SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION
UTICA NY MADE IN USA
Stamped on left side of receiver - Model 19 NRA –SAVAGE–.22 Cal LR

Double hole peep sight, No. 5 Peep, No. 6 front Blade, and a dovetail relief on barrel. It is also FACTORY DRILLED AND TAPPED for a side mount scope. (This particular Savage has an aftermarket Marbles Buckhorn style rear sight and a unique Parker hooded front sight with a rotatable sun or shade option.)

Bolt and receiver are of the same design as the NRA Match rifle above.

Trigger is NOT adjustable and has a DIFFERENT DESIGNED GUARD that fits on top of the stock and has a WIDENING around the magazine opening.

Stock is SHORTER being only 39 inches long and is highly varnished, otherwise it is like the “match” stock

Buttplate is ribbed with SVG emblem in a circle.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Outstanding!!! Mine has a 13xxx serial number, so all your details helped to confirm it as a first model, as there is no model number anywhere.

My magazine is unmarked. Do you know when the model number and NRA markings were added to magazines???

I will now check to see if there is a Part II!