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Savage History
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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.
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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 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.
By 1915, 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 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 the Second World War, Savage/Steven's converted their factories to produce machine guns, submachine guns, military rifles and bomb fuses. Over 2,500,000 firearms were produced by "VJ" Day to support the war effort.
During 1947, the entire Sporting Arms Division moved to Chicopee Falls, MA where it was integrated with the Steven Arms Company. In 1960, the total operation was relocated to Westfield, MA where the tradition of manufacturing quality, American made rifles continues today...
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