Savage 1920 .300 Savage

**44 AMP** · September 17, 2013, 01:56 PM

Looking for general information about the Savage 1920 rifle. A friend just got one in .300Sav.

We know the gun was made from 1920 to 1931 (or 29, depending on source)
.250-3000 and .300 Savage
Came in two variants, apparently after 25-26 Savage increased the stock(?) and barrel size to add weight due to complaints about recoil in .300 Sav.

Friends gun has apparently been reblued, has a peep sight, no dovetail on the barrel for a rear sight.

Curious thing, there are no marking on the barrel, not even caliber. I suspect the barrel might be a replacement, because of that.

Looking for general info about these rifles, and particularly what markings ought to be on them, and where.

Any help would be useful, Thanks!

PetahW · September 17, 2013, 05:23 PM

.

Your friend most probably has a post-1925 Model 1920/20 - which has a slightly heavier bbl & a redesigned stock with different checkering than the earlier version(s), and QD sling swivel eyes ILO the previous non-detachable sling loops.

The gun's weight at that time was increased from 5lb, 14oz to 6-3/4lbs (half in the stock, half in the bbl) to increase the accuracy with 180gr .300 Sav boolits.

The issue 24" .300 Sav bbl's weren't dovetailed for an open rear sight when the factory supplied a Lyman 54 peep sight on the rifle.

All models were set up for clip-loading, even though their chamberings were AFAIK never offered loaded in enbloc clips.

.

**Mike Irwin** · September 18, 2013, 09:30 AM

A barrel without markings?

That's not right. Savage stamped the barrels.

Jim Watson · September 18, 2013, 11:01 AM

As usual, it is going to take pictures.

'The Rifle in America' by Phil Sharpe describes the rifle but not markings.

**Mike Irwin** · September 18, 2013, 11:32 AM

I'm working from memory and the very few pictures that I've found on the web that show barrel markings, but the left side of the barrel near the receiver SHOULD be marked "Savage Hi-Pressure Steel" and the cartridge for which it is chambered.

The top left of the receiver should be marked SAVAGE Model 20 just off top center, with the serial number under that.

A Savage Model 20 in .300 is another one of my bucketlist rifles.

**44 AMP** · September 19, 2013, 11:46 AM

Thanks for the replies and the info, will pass it along to my friend. Pics are going to be more difficult, but if I can get him to take some (in a format I can use) I'll post them.

**Mike Irwin** · September 19, 2013, 05:01 PM

They are really neat rifles, but they do kick.

Sort of like the Ithaca Featherweight. Great to carry, but not so great for a full day shooting doves or clays.

Scorch · September 20, 2013, 02:20 PM

What does the stock look like? Not 100% sure, but I thought the earlier rifles had the schnabel stock and the later 1920/26 rifles had a round forearm tip.

**44 AMP** · September 21, 2013, 03:26 PM

It has a Schnabel forend, and that pre-WWII kind of checkering style. (not sure the proper name for that style)

September 17, 2013, 01:56 PM	#1
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	Savage 1920 .300 Savage Looking for general information about the Savage 1920 rifle. A friend just got one in .300Sav. We know the gun was made from 1920 to 1931 (or 29, depending on source) .250-3000 and .300 Savage Came in two variants, apparently after 25-26 Savage increased the stock(?) and barrel size to add weight due to complaints about recoil in .300 Sav. Friends gun has apparently been reblued, has a peep sight, no dovetail on the barrel for a rear sight. Curious thing, there are no marking on the barrel, not even caliber. I suspect the barrel might be a replacement, because of that. Looking for general info about these rifles, and particularly what markings ought to be on them, and where. Any help would be useful, Thanks! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 18, 2013, 09:30 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	A barrel without markings? That's not right. Savage stamped the barrels. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 18, 2013, 11:32 AM	#5
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	I'm working from memory and the very few pictures that I've found on the web that show barrel markings, but the left side of the barrel near the receiver SHOULD be marked "Savage Hi-Pressure Steel" and the cartridge for which it is chambered. The top left of the receiver should be marked SAVAGE Model 20 just off top center, with the serial number under that. A Savage Model 20 in .300 is another one of my bucketlist rifles. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 19, 2013, 11:46 AM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	Thanks for the replies and the info, will pass it along to my friend. Pics are going to be more difficult, but if I can get him to take some (in a format I can use) I'll post them. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

September 19, 2013, 05:01 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	They are really neat rifles, but they do kick. Sort of like the Ithaca Featherweight. Great to carry, but not so great for a full day shooting doves or clays. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 17, 2013, 05:23 PM	#2
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Your friend most probably has a post-1925 Model 1920/20 - which has a slightly heavier bbl & a redesigned stock with different checkering than the earlier version(s), and QD sling swivel eyes ILO the previous non-detachable sling loops. The gun's weight at that time was increased from 5lb, 14oz to 6-3/4lbs (half in the stock, half in the bbl) to increase the accuracy with 180gr .300 Sav boolits. The issue 24" .300 Sav bbl's weren't dovetailed for an open rear sight when the factory supplied a Lyman 54 peep sight on the rifle. All models were set up for clip-loading, even though their chamberings were AFAIK never offered loaded in enbloc clips. .

September 18, 2013, 11:01 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,539	As usual, it is going to take pictures. 'The Rifle in America' by Phil Sharpe describes the rifle but not markings.

September 20, 2013, 02:20 PM	#8
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	What does the stock look like? Not 100% sure, but I thought the earlier rifles had the schnabel stock and the later 1920/26 rifles had a round forearm tip. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

September 21, 2013, 03:26 PM	#9
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,820	It has a Schnabel forend, and that pre-WWII kind of checkering style. (not sure the proper name for that style) __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.