Unique Savage Utility Set

[tylenda]

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…   

[Garnett]

Thanks for sharing with us!  A really nice set!

[garthgus]

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?

[tylenda]

Thanks… The checkering does look good.  The forearms are not really interchangeable.  The groove cut into the top of the forearm is sized for the barrel’s outside diameter.  While some combinations of forearm and barrel might be functional, they don’t really look very good. 

My dad took the gun to the range a number of times after he bought it.  Then he cleaned it up, built a display case for the set, and hung it on the wall in our family room for 40 years.  He was very proud of that display.  I was away at college when he bought the gun.  I’ve never shot it. 

[garthgus]

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.