The story of the Savage 110 begins shortly after WWI when returning GIs began touting the superiority of the bolt action rifle to their hunting brethren.
Before WWI the lever action was the go-to hunting rifle in North America.
During the Great War the American Dough Boys got introduced to the Springfield, Enfield and Mauser rifles. After the war surplus rifles were being bought up and it didn't take long for the requests to "sporterize" them began coming into the gunsmiths.
Companies like Remington and Winchester realized the market for a bolt action rifle that came from the factory with all the options the hunters were now paying gunsmiths to add to the surplus rifles.
In the 1940s Remington introduced a rifle with a push feed action which they may or may not have borrowed from previous rifles like the Mosin-Nagant, Krag-Jorgensen and the Lee-Enfield.
Savage had built bolt actions before, in 1947 Savage introduced the model 325A, which evolved into the 325B and C before becoming the model 340 and 740. See my post on these guns here
Savage began the design of their bolt action rifle in 1956. Nicholas Brewer is given credit for the design. I don't think Savage was looking to displace the Winchester model 70 or the custom Mauser based rifles, I think they were looking to offer an affordable alternative that the average hunter would be proud to own and not break their bank.
Savage introduced their new rifle in 1958.
They had not yet come up with a model name or number yet, but they did have a price point $110 ($109.75 to be exact). They ended up using this as the model number....a good a number as any I suppose.
Originally offered in just a long action and in 30-06 Springfield and 270 Winchester.
There were some great innovations built into this gun, the 3-position safety was mounted on the top of the tang, just rearward of the bolt
The bolt protrusion would indicate if the firing pin spring was charged or not
The trigger is adjustable, without removing the rifle from the stock and dual gas ports for added safety.
The bolt had dual forward locking lugs
Of course, the gun came with the receiver drilled and tapped for scope bases and the front sight folds down.
The magazine was a blind design (no removeable/openable floorplate) that held 4 rounds.
The barrel attachment system (using an external threaded collar-nut) was carried over from the model 325/340, which was a carry-over from WWII machine guns, for which Savage had contracts to build.
The standard model rifles came with a hard butt plate, first made of aluminum, then of plastic. The deluxe models came with a soft recoil pad.
The next year Savage introduced two new versions, a short action model that was chambered in .243 Winchester and .308 Winchester as well as a left-handed version, the first commercial rifle available for south paws.
The safety need not be relocated as it was mounted on the center of the tang, which might lead someone to believe the gun was designed to made in right and left-handed configurations.
In 1962 Savage began offering the actions and barrels separately so gunsmiths could build custom one-off rifles.
In 1966 some parts of the rifle were redesigned. Some changes were to cut costs (like Winchester did in 1964) and some were genuine improvements.
Included was a new ejector. This one, was much more reliable, mounted in the bolt face and allowed for the use of detachable box magazines, which Savage offered as an option that year.
These changes were significant enough, that most parts from the early guns (1958-1966) are not interchangeable with the newer rifles and vice-versa.
The easiest way to tell the older vintage from the post-66 rifles is the barrel has a raised area where the rear sight mounts, the post 66 rifles have a smooth taper
By the mid 1960s Savage had dozens of options and almost as many calibers available.
Throughout the 70's and 80's Savage continued to produce the model 110, along with their other successful models.
In 1988 financial troubles led the owners of Savage to file bankruptcy. In order to save the company, they reduced the catalog down to just the most basic and economical 110 models.
The plan worked, the company survived and is one of the largest producers of bolt action rifles today.
Specs (1958 original rifle):
Action: Bolt action, push feed
Magazine: Blind box mag, 4 round capacity
Weight: 6 3/4 Lbs
Length: 43" (depending on buttplate/recoil pad)
Barrel length: 22"
Rate of Twist: 1 in 10"
Length of Pull: 13.5"
Finish: Blued steel and walnut
Years produced: 1958 to present
Time Line
1956: Nicholas Brewer begins designing the 110
1958: the model 110 is introduced
1959: a short action and left-handed versions are introduced.
1962: Savage begins selling the actions and barrels separately
1966: Model 110 is redesigned.
1988: Bankruptcy led to the 110 being the only model Savage produced for a number of years.
I got my early 1974 vintage 30-06 model 110E from a gun show for $225. I added a Simmons 3-9x40mm scope, a Harris bi-pod, leather cobra style sling and a custom camo paint job. Since this picture was taken I also added a Limbsaver recoil pad, I have $357 invested in the rifle, see more here
Sources:
Savage Shooters - Savage 110 Model History - 1958-1989
Savage Model 110 — A proven economical backwoods rifle - Backwoods Home Magazine
One of my favorite riles, check out grimstod desh and his upgrades to make it even better, affordably!
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