Savage Model 1907

Lore & Background

The Savage Model 1907 was designed by Elbert Searle, whose November 21, 1905 patent formed the basis for all Savage semi-automatic pistols. The pistol is often mistakenly called the Model 1905 due to this patent date stamped on the slide. It was advertised with celebrity endorsements from William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, Bat Masterson, and the Pinkerton Agency, and a Model 1907 was presented to Theodore Roosevelt. Marketing emphasized its suitability for women defending against burglars and 'tramps.'

The pistol uses a staggered, detachable box magazine—a notable innovation that predated the Browning Hi-Power's patent by over a decade and its production by almost 30 years. Though it appears to have an external hammer, it is striker-fired; the 'hammer' is actually a cocking lever. The Model 1907 has no screws; even the grips snap into place. From 1913 to 1917, models featured a collared barrel and a loaded chamber indicator. A major design revision in 1912 modified almost every major component.

During World War I, the French government purchased over 40,000 .32 ACP Model 1907s between late 1914 and 1917 for military use. These contract pistols are identified by a loaded chamber indicator and a lanyard ring or mounting holes for one. Portugal also purchased 1,150 pistols, distinguished by grips bearing the lesser arms of Portugal instead of the standard Indian head. A prototype run of about 40 .25 ACP vest pocket pistols was made in 1912 but never put into production.

Reader's Guide

The Savage Model 1907 holds a significant place in semi-automatic pistol history primarily for its early adoption of a double-stack magazine, achieving a 10-round capacity in a compact pocket pistol decades before the Browning Hi-Power popularized the concept. Its design lineage traces back to a .45 caliber entry in the U.S. Army trials that ultimately led to the Colt Model 1911, and the 181 .45 pistols returned to Savage after testing were sold on the civilian market. The pistol's popularity was bolstered by effective marketing and celebrity endorsements, and its military use by France and Portugal during World War I demonstrated its reliability in service. The Model 1907's screwless construction and simple field stripping were innovative for its time. Variants like the Model 1915 and Model 1917 shared many parts, with the Model 1917 offering a larger grip. The pistol's appearance in films such as 'The Cheap Detective' and 'Road to Perdition' reflects its enduring cultural recognition. Its legacy includes influencing later pocket pistol designs and demonstrating the viability of high-capacity magazines in small firearms.

Did You Know?

• The Savage Model 1907 is often mistakenly called the Model 1905 because the patent date November 21, 1905 is stamped on the slide.
• It was advertised with the slogan 'Ten shots quick!' due to its 10-round double-stack magazine.
• The French government purchased over 40,000 .32 ACP Model 1907s for military use during World War I.