Savage 219 and 220 Single Shot Rifles & Shotguns

Here is a shot of the action and trigger mechanism. It seems from what I have learnt here is that it is one of the earlier guns.  Yes, your action is a very early one.  Over the years, there were 6 internal action designs.  The action remained the same externally.  They are: First Model Utica, Second  Model Utica, then after the moves to Chicopee Falls and West Field, the rifle model changed to 219B and 219C, with shotguns being designated as 220A, 220B, 220C and 220D.



There is a small number 21 in a circle on the right side of the action. What does this mean?This is an inspector number.  So far I have not found any way to identify inspector marks or the various other symbols found on these guns.

There are some holes that have been drilled for a side scope mount. I wish they were not there, but someone had a plan and this seemed to be part of the solution. I checked the thread size to be 3/32 - 32tpi, and my plan is to fill these holes and carefully take them down level.  When I first saw the picture with the holes for a side mount, I was excited, as a very rare factory option was to drill and tap the left side of the barrel for a scope base.  When this was done, the barrel writing was moved to the top of the barrel.  It is a shame someone drilled through the writing when a top mounted scope base(s) could have been installed.   I agree with your statement below, I would leave it as is and install two flat plug screws.  Or, you maybe could find an old Weaver side mount base, number "2    48402" made for this rifle.  So far in my research, I have not found which Weaver rings to with this base.

It is a shame that the stamp has been drilled through. I know that UTICA means something to the collectors here. I could restore the text carefully, but I think I will just leave the text missing. There is enough present to know what it should have said.

My plan is to reblue the metal work. I have experimented with rust bluing on other guns and found this to be a fairly straight forward procedure that looks great. It would also give me the chance to reduce the impact of the vice jaw marks.  I completely agree with your plan to "Rust" blue the gun.  The early models, until the move to Chicopee Falls, were done that way.  When these older models are "Hot"  reblued, the frames turn red or purple.



The left side of the action lets us know that it is in fact a 25-20 caliber. I think this means a whole lot more to some of those collectors. If you were close by, I'd let you have it for your collection, even if it is a 'well used' example.  I appreciate your thought, but thankfully, I have an almost new .25-20 that I purchased early in my research for my Savage book.

Hi all,

I have posted on the introduction page to say g'day but I am going to post here about my new purchase.

I managed to pick up a 219 chambered for 25-20. It is a rough unit and not a collectors gun but I would be interested to know about its origin and what others may think about the idea I have to 'restore' or tidy up this gun.

I'll post the details in several posts to make it easier, but here is an overall image of the poor gun. I don't feel hard done by. I paid AUD $195 for it so it was not an expensive purchase. I bought it unseen, which is always a risk.

The positive features are that the metal locks up really tight. No movement what-so-ever. The rest I can work on over time.  Steve, Looking at the overall picture, the curved steel trigger guard along with the Utica name on the barrel, identifies your rifle as what I call a "First Model Utica".  It most likely was made before WWII. 

Gday all,

Thanks to Garnett for assisting me to get onto this forum. I recently picked up a Savage 219 chambered for 25-20. In trying to find out about my new purchase, I landed here and started reading. It seems at this is the calibre that people would like to complete their collection but this gun is no collectors piece. Ill open another topic to discuss it and to ask my questions and keep this as an intro.

My interests are making black powder and learning how to do as much as I possibly can myself to get my rifle shooting. I can't see that I would ever make my own brass or primers, but just about everything else is fair game.

My purchase precipitated because I was looking for a single shot that is easy to clean from any black powder fouling. I already use my black powder to load my shotgun but I wanted a cartridge gun to test my powder more quantitatively. I was also after a caliber that was suited to my small 18 acre parcel of land.

For me, I think I enjoy tinkering with the guns more than I like shooting them. I do like to shoot, but for me shooting is the moment of truth that the variables I have been chasing have had an effect.

Below is the photo that I think seems to interest people the most. Plenty more photos to follow.

Rick, Welcome to this forum!  I suggest checking EBay as some of these parts come up for sale from time to time, but they are hard to find.  Best wishes, Garnett