A Vintage Dodge Never Fired Up

[Sakobav]

( Typed from an article by Rick Hacker from The Sports Afield Magazine - Never knew Arthur savage was such a journeyman and inventor of radial tire interesting read)

Although John Francis Dodge ( 1864-1920) and Arthur W Savage ( 1857-1938) were contemporaries with similar interests, these two mechanically gifted inventors probably never met. And yet, they were directly linked by what is unquestionably the finest Savage Model 99 ever produced.
Mention Arthur Savage and most hunters think of his rotatory magazine lever guns. But automobile aficionados more readily associated him with the invention of the radial tire, which was produced by his Savage Tire Company in Sand Diego, CA. It was a natural evolution for an entrepreneurial man who built and raced sports cars in addition to inventing rifles.

Savage was born in Jamaica, found adventures as a cattle baron in Australia, and finally settled in Utica, New York. There, on April 5, 1894, he established the Savage Repeating Arms Company, which patented the Savage Model 1895, the worlds first hammer-less lever action that would evolve into his company’s most famous firearm, the Savage Model 99. With its coil mainspring, rotary brass magazine, pop up firing pin indicator, cut out cartridge and super balance, the Savage 99 was ahead of its time. No wonder it caught the eye of John Dodge, who along with his brother Horace, found the highly successful Dodge Motor Car Company in 1914. John Savage must have felt a kinship when the automaker commissioned the rifle pictured.
It is clear that Dodge, like the touring Cars his company built, wanted to be on forefront of technology. Thus, in 1915 he ordered one if the most mechanically advanced rifles of its day, the Savage 99, and had it chambered the newest cartridge, the .250-300 invented by Charles Newton in 1915, this was the first factory –loaded cartridge to achieve Arthur Savage’s goal of a bullet that could travel 3,000 feet per second.

But the rifle commands even more attention. Produced with a 22 inch barrel with matted raised rib, this near mint condition takedown features AAA Grade fancy walnut intricately relief carved with European leaf and vine design and stippled background. Its fish belly stock heightens the rifles Germanic aura. The case hardened lever and blued receiver are rightly scroll engraved, as is breech end of the barrel. , while the polished bolt is engraved and hand jeweled. Two inlaid Tigers gold tigers stalk across the left side of the receiver, while an inlaid gold bull elkand cow adorn the right side. All screw heads are engraved and gold plated, as is the butt plate, even the cartridge counter is platted in gold. The pistol grip cap is mother of pearl, and the serial number, 184078, is gold inlaid. A raised gold J.F.D. monogram on the bottom of the receiver leaves no doubt as to whose gun this was
…Incredibly this rifle was found unfired in the corner of a closet on the Dodge family estate. On April 29, 2009 , it was sold by Cowan’s Auctions of Cincinnati Ohio, to an anonymous bidder for $230,000 thus ending the saga of an elaborate Model 99 that was never even road-tested.



Link to the gun

http://www.cowanauctions.com/upcoming_d ... emId=69069

[timmy]

This is truly a fine looking rifle! The history associated with this is also impressive. My Dad was always a huge fan of the Savage 99, as was, it seems Bill Ruger.

Regarding the Dodge Brothers, Besides being a large car maker in their own right, both brothers died suddenly and in a few years, Dodge was bought by Walter P Chrysler's fledgling company, a true case of a gnat swallowing a camel.

Given the sudden demise of the Dodge Brothers, it's no wonder that this 99 didn't get used at all.

Anyway the rifle is quite beautiful. I find it interesting that the serial number was 180xxx: the Model 99 seems as if it enjoyed quite a bit of popularity in 15 years.

Thanks for sharing this one!

[nagarifle]

intersting to get back ground info on makers of guns. thanks mate

[MoA]

Didnt know about the Dodge rifles... did own and total a Viper a long time ago though.

[Vikram]

That is a great post,Navi.Very interesting and beautiful rifle there.Thanks for posting.

Best-
Vikram

[Sakobav]

Glad folks you liked the article and I wasnt aware of many of these historic facts surrounding these guys how Chrysler took over Dodge..matter of fact never realized Dodge was a separate company.took it granted its Chryslers model name..Dodge is such a revered name in trucks..recall the old trucks / station wagons Dodges in India

Timmy do yo have any pictures of Savage 99?

Arthur Savage what a personality and full life he lead Jamaica Australia tires etc. Arthur had patent on box magazine thing we take granted for now...main reason probably why none of the armed rifles had it ? At-least Garand M1 should have gone for it, the stories how the clincking noise when the bullets finished was used by Germans to charge soldiers switching magazines, US army guys started using this noise to lure enemy to attack. I could be wrong but maybe no one wanted to pay the patent charges?

Another anecdotal how Arthur Savage came up with the Indian Chief logo for his brand.
"In 1919, Chief Lame Bear (above) approached Arthur to purchase lever-action rifles for the Indian reservation and the two men struck a deal. The tribe would get discounted rifles and Savage would get their support and endorsement. It was at this time in the company's history, that Arthur Savage added the Indian head logo--a direct gift from the Chief--to the company name." Copied from Savage Website
http://www.savagearms.com/history/

Cheers

[Vikram]

I read the logo legend just the other day while I was checking out their website for their range of rifles.

Best-
Vikram