Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a Savage 1903 and 1906 or 1909? Numrich has the same schematics for all three.
I recently picked up a 1903 in an auction (complete except for the tang screw) and thought it was mislabeled because it was the same as an old rusty action I had from a farm auction over a year ago, and which I had figured was a 1906 (I thought I was bidding on a stripped Crackshot action but apparently I was bidding on the pair of them :)).
I actually got to compare them side by side today and discovered the old rusty left side (the one with the butt stock on it) didn't quite fit onto the "1903" right side (the side with the barrel) or vice-versa ("1903" left doesn't fit the "other" right side). It looks as if the "other" is about 1/16" longer. Also the "1903" right side has a curved notch in front of the magazine. The "other" one has a square corner there, with a small screw hole as if there should be a piece under and behind the pump. The "1903" has an operating bar stop there and the "other" has no place/space/groove for one. maybe that is what is supposed to be screwed into that little step.
So I guess I really have two questions: how can I tell if my "1903" is an 03, an 06, or an 09 (not that it matters, I'd just like to know)? and what is the "other" action for/from?
1903 and other 1.jpg [ 34.03 KiB | Viewed 6436 times ]
"1903" on top, "other" on the bottom. On the "1903" you can see the curved notch/rebate just in front of the magazine, and just a square corner in that spot on the "other". The operating bar stop isn't visible but it is just above the curved bit. There isn't one, and no slot for one, on the "other".