Savage 219 and 220 Single Shot Rifles & Shotguns

Tonight, for the first time, I happened to click on "My Messages".  I found a page full, with the newest one being 6 years old!  If I failed to answer your personal message, I am truly sorry.  I am computer challenged!  My son set the site up for me and I never checked the "MY Message" as I had not sent a message to anyone. DUH!!!  I will check the message site daily from now on.  My most sincere apologies.  Garnett

Congratulations. Having a heirloom gun your Dad cherished and was proud of makes it even more special. I just noticed the checkering on your pistol grip and the 220 shotgun forend is identical to my Savage Fox Model B, 16 gauge made in Chicopee Falls in 1957.

Cleetus, I had one for research for my book.  I sold it last year.  They are not easy to find.

What great embellishments! Interesting how the forends all have different checkering patterns. Are the forends interchangeable? Checkering is a nice addition on this rifle. Gun looks very well maintained. Have you and your Dad shot it much?

In 1985 my father acquired a unique Savage Model 219/220 that included a lower receiver with a walnut butt stock and 3 interchangeable barrels chambered in 22 Hornet, 30-30 Winchester, and 20 gauge.  Each of the forearms is checkered and the butt stock is ornately carved.  The set came in a custom wooden case.  The previous owner told him that he bought the gun from a manufacturer’s sales representative in the early 1950s. 

Here are some details.  I’ll also post some photos.  My most sincere thanks to Garnett Stancil for teaching me about this gun!
 
1.  The manufacturer’s stamp on each barrel says Savage Arms Corporation, Utica, New York, USA.  Being manufactured in Utica, narrows the date of manufacture to 1938 – 1946.  Savage Arms moved to Chicopee Falls in 1946.
 
2.  Matching manufacturing codes on the butt stock, frame, and barrels indicate that the 22 Hornet and the 28” barreled 20 gauge were part of a Savage Utility Rifle and Shotgun Set.  This specific configuration was sold as the Model 229 Utility Set.  Utility sets first appeared in 1940.  This narrows the date of manufacture a bit more to 1940-1946.
 
3.  The firing pin is cocked by moving the top lever to the right.  This striker-fired mechanism was the original internal design.
 
4.  The frame is fitted with an alloy painted trigger guard and a slim trigger.  Garnett refers to this as a 2nd Model Utica version.
 
5.  There are manufacturing codes, but no obvious serial numbering anywhere on this gun.

6.  The iron sights have been removed from the 22 Hornet barrel and replaced with a Weaver M 29S Special Scope (3/4” tube).

7.  The ornately carved stock, the third barrel, and the custom case make this set unique.  We believe that a Savage Arms salesman had this set made for a customer that sold large numbers of these guns.  This seems to fit the story told to my dad when he bought it. 

Anyway… I found your awesome forum during my search for information.  It is a goldmine of information.  I would be very interested to learn more about this particular gun or about a similar gun any of you might have.  Thanks for the opportunity…