QUOTE |
Only a very few on this board knew of this particular Savage variation before 21 smoker asked a simple question. I don’t think you are included in those few (you never answered my question ). As to the other respected authors, they not only omitted pictures of this variation, they never referenced this variation in print. That tells me this post is the first time this information has come out in a public forum. |
Negative. The early Savage 1928's were already known to have patent dates and not numbers. Just because Cox, Hill and Iannimico neglected to publish said photos, or think to make note of this fact, does not make the existence of these examples any less prominent for those who actually examine TSMG's in the flesh. Once all of Smoker's pics were in, it wasn't alchemy to deduct that his early Savage depicted the usual markings for that serial number grouping. I did offer Earl's S-71189NAC as bona fide reference point. I think perhaps it is to one's detriment to presume the infallibility of authors who have written on the TSMG. The errors in Cox, Hill, Richardson and errors of omission in Innamico's books seem to bear this out.
As to the often misused, but inconsequential, Commercial applied variant of the Savage TSMG, you seemed to change your focus from your belief that Smoker's Savage receiver was actually of Colt origin to "it maybe a Savage, but not a Commercial variant," as described by Hill in his lecture. I know you wanted to send a shot across my bow that even though my initial observation that Smoker's Savage was not unusual for an early example, it wasn't technically a Commercial example. Had I shared your opinion that his TSMG receiver was not Savage, I am sure I would not be able to fetter my twinge of the oops factor.
Now as far as your tendency to imbue "missing link" status to TSMG variations that do not appear in print (you had G.I. Jive spinning) may be a sort of uncontrollable reflex. But you might not be so hasty to declare a Yeti sighting next time before determining the footprints are actually made from snow drifts.
Eventually your enthusiasm for the elusive "one off" TSMG might pay off. We all await such an auspicious day.