What is the value of the 1907 savage 32 caliber automatic pistol which was colored black?

Answer 1

This would be a Savage Arms model 1907, which was manufactured from about 1908 until about 1920, and was very popular in its day. There are also the mechanically similar "hammerless" model 1915 and the model 1917 with (most obviously) different grip design. The model 1907 is sometimes mistakenly called a model 1905 (it has a patent date of 1905 stamped on it) or a model 1910. It is also common to find people confusing the models 1907, 1915, and 1917. Of these, the 1915 was not very popular and was discontinued after a couple of years, so is relatively rare and therefore more valuable. The most vaulable in this family is the .45 caliber Savage which was the only competitor against the Colt 1911 semi-automatic for the military contract that made the Colt 1911 the US standard military sidearm until fairly recently. Only a few hundred of these .45 Savages were made and the current value (when one can be found) is between $15,000-$20,000.

Value depends on a couple of things. First, as always, condition is key. Second, whether the pistol is a typical commercial version, as most are, or is part of either the French or Portuguese military contracts has an impact. Of these, the French contract, for pistols to be used during WWI, was considerably larger.

In general, the only way to identify these "contract" guns is by serial number (the serial number ranges for these contracts are known, allowing that a few pistols might be just below or above the known range), and usually by the presence of two holes in the lower grip frame where a lanyard ring or loop attaches, although some of the early French contract pistols did not have the lanyard loops. In some cases the lanyard loop is still attached. There are no known examples of non-contract pistols with the lanyard loop/holes, although there are rumors they may exist. On the other hand, it is easy to add a couple of holes to a frame, so the holes need to be accompanied by an appropriate serial number.

While the French pistols used the standard Savage black "Indian head" hard rubber grips, Portuguese pistols had black hard rubber grips with Portuguese government emblems on them; these were frequently replaced with the standard Savage grips when the pistols were later sold as surplus. These grips become brittle with age, and it is not uncommon to find any of the Savage pistols with cracked, broken or missing grips, especially on the right side. Where the original grips are present, they usually show obvious wear. Since there are a number of companies making replica "Indian head" grips (or the appropriate model 1915 and 1917 grips) in black plastic, these may have been installed as replacements.

Because these pistols were so popular they are pretty easy to find. Even now (early 2009), with gun prices jumping, prices start at about $100 for guns with pitting. Guns in mint condition can be found for about $600-700. Average prices seem to be between $200 and $350. But there is a lot of variation -- I've seen model 1907s with significant metal damage from corrosion with asking prices of $150 to $200, and others with minor pitting go for $125. A complete military contract pistol and holster rig in mint condition may go for over $1000.

Normally a contract gun will bring a bit more money, and having an original military holster will definitely increase the value. A pistol missing its magazine, or with an aftermarket magazine, will go down in value.

Original Savage magazines are hard to come by, and prices for used original magazines in good shape typically start at about $50. Aftermarket magazines are available, but have a poor reputation.

There were also .38 caliber versions of the commercial pistols (again, rumors of military contract .38 pistols, but none found), and their magazines will not work with the .32 pistols.