Get Your Savage Firearms Catalog!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Get Your Savage Firearms Catalog!

Posted on 1/16/2010 by From the Editors, Blade and Gear

Courtesy of Savage Arms:

Savage Arms History

A Century of Quality Firearms Development. The Savage Arms Company was organized in 1894 by Arthur Savage in Utica, New York. A native of Jamaica, Arthur led a romantic life, having been schooled in England and the United States. In his thirties, he explored the interior of Australia and was held captive for a year by Aborigines. Later, he became the owner of the largest cattle ranch in Australia.

     After moving to Utica, New York, he developed the Savage Halpine torpedo, became the Superintendent of the Utica Belt Line Railroad, and invented the first "hammerless" lever action rifle with the entire mechanism enclosed in a steel receiver. This remarkable rifle featured a rotary magazine with a unique counter that visually displayed the number of bullets remaining in the receiver. The Model 99, as it became known, advanced firearm technology, offered the average person an affordable rifle, and started a business that has stood the test of time. 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. By 1919, Savage Arms was manufacturing high power rifles, 22 caliber rifles, pistols and ammunition.
     During World War I, Savage merged with Driggs-Seabury Ordnance Company, and made Lewis machine guns. In 1920, Savage purchased J. Stevens Arms, a company which was associated with the famous barrel maker, Harry Pope. Later, Savage acquired the assets of Page Lewis Company, Davis-Warner Arms, Crescent Firearms, and A.H. Fox, thereby becoming the largest firearm company in the free world.
     During World War II, Savage contributed literally millions of firearms to the campaign, converting its factories to accommodate heavy munitions. After the war, Savage had excess capacity and adopted some of its manufacturing processes to alternate consumer products, including the world's first motorized lawnmower.
     Between the early 1960's and late 1980's, numerous public and private corporations owned and sold Savage Arms, culminating in a reorganization of the business and a filing for bankruptcy protection in early 1988. Ronald Coburn was named president/CEO and redefined the future of the business. The company downsized and produced only the model 110 bolt-action rifle until mid 1989.
By early 1990, the company was once again on a secure footing, having developed a strategy to build superior products at a reasonable price, something the competition could not match. Savage continued to redefine value during the 1990's, developing new products, improving materials and adding features that were only available in much higher-priced rifles.
     Savage became a "consumer sensitive" company, adopting many of the ideas and suggestions offered by firearm users. Management spent time in the field, listening to hunters, talking with guides and comparing notes with industry writers, many of which have since become good friends and confidants over the years. And, since there is no substitute for hands-on experience, management took all new products into the field themselves to learn and appreciate the features and benefits of any new offerings, and fine-tune as needed.
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If it doesn't survive you won't survive.

Saturday, January 16, 2010