• Savage Side-by-Side Shotguns: 1961-1987

    Over the years Savage, Stevens and Fox each offered various models of side-by-side shotguns. From the bare-bones, no-frills Stevens 311 to the more elegant and refined Fox models such as the B-DL and B-SE, each proved to be a durable, reliable field gun that has served hunters and shooters for decades - even generations.

    Fox Model B – The Fox Model B was added to the 1940 Fox catalog put out by Savage. The retail price was $25. The Model B was offered in 12-, 16-, and 20-gauges and .410-bore, and had a color case-hardened frame. By January 22, 1945, the retail price of the Model B was up to $34.50. After WW-II the Springfield 311 (1947) and then the Stevens 311 (1948 and on) were built on a version of the Model B action. The pre-WW-II Springfield No. 311, as well as the Riverside and Springfield No. 315, the Stevens No. 330, and numerous “trade brand” guns were all built on Steven’s G.S. Lewis’ Apr 20, 1915, patented action.

    Through the 1954 catalog the Model B remained a double trigger, plain extractor, slim forearm utility gun.

    In the 1955 catalogue Savage added a Model B-ST which got a non-selective single trigger and a beavertail forearm. The offerings were the same for 1956 thru 1958.

    By the 1960 catalog the B and the BST got ventilated ribs. There were no changes in the 1961 catalog.

    For 1962 a Model B De Luxe in 12-gauge was added with a satin chrome receiver, white-line grip cap and butt plate, checkered side panels, beavertail, ventilated rib, and gold plated non-selective single trigger. They also gold plated the trigger on the BST. There were no changes for 1963.

    For 1964 the De Luxe became the BDE, and included automatic ejectors, and also was available in 20-gauge chambered for 3-inch shells. The B and BST remained unchanged.

    For 1965 the B and BST 20-gauges got 3-inch chambers.


    For 1966 the satin chrome BDE was gone - replaced by the Model B-SE with ejectors, non-selective single trigger, satin black finish, white-line butt plate and grip cap, beavertail and ventilated rib. The Model B had double triggers, was case hardened, had a ventilated rib, and now a beavertail. Both guns now featured impressed stamped checkering. For 1967, 68 and 69 the offerings were the same. The gun control act of 1968 required Savage to start putting serial numbers on these guns.

    For 1971 there was a new model called the Savage 550 which was just like the BSE but had a case hardened receiver, and was offered in 12- and 20-gauges. The text said it had precisely engineered barrels resulting in perfect balance. In the picture it appears to be a mono-bloc design?!? Also grip caps are gone from the B and BSE. Offerings for 1972 were the same – the 550 listed at $174.95, the B-SE listed at $164.95, and the B listed at $139.95.

    By 1973, the BSE and 16-gauges are gone, but there is a 24-inch barrel B in 12-gauge and 20-gauge, both with 3-inch chambers.

    For 1974 the Savage 550 is gone and the B-SE is back. The B-SE 12-gauge has 2 ¾ inch chambers and the 12-gauge B and 24” Fox B have 3-inch chambers. All the 20-gauge and .410-bore are 3-inch chambered. No changes for 1975, 6, 7, or 8. For 1979 the grip caps are back and the double triggered B is offered with ejectors as the BE.

    For 1980, cut checkering is back, but the 24-inch barrel offerings are gone – B, BE and B-SE. In 1981 the BE was gone, but the FA-1 and the FP-1 Fox autoloader and pump appeared. For 1982 the Fox offerings were B, B-SE, FA-1 and FP-1.

    For 1983 the only Fox offering was the B-SE. The B-SE remained through the 1987 catalog when its list price was $525. By the 1988 catalog the Fox name was gone.

    In response to a recent post on the forum I broke out my collection of Savage Arms catalogs and started looking at the different receiver finishes offered on the various models over the years. As a result I put together the following chart as for some models the finish type will help narrow down the date of manufacture. However, starting in 1979 Savage chose to no longer specify the receiver finish type in their specifications tables so from there on I had to rely on the catalog photo's and in some cases make guess due to the photo's not giving a clear indication.



    Fox B-DE
    Fox B-ST Fox B-SE Fox B Fox BE Stevens 311
    Stevens 311R Savage 550
    1961
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1962 Satin Chrome Finish
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1963 Satin Chrome Finish
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1964 Satin Chrome Finish
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1965 Satin Chrome Finish
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1966

    Black Satin Enamel
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1967

    Black Satin Enamel
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1968

    Black Satin Enamel
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1969

    Black Satin Enamel
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1970

    Black Satin Enamel
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1971

    Black Satin Enamel
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    1972

    Black Satin Enamel
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    1973

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    1974

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1975

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1976

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1977

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened

    1978

    Case Hardened
    with Decoration
    Case Hardened
    with Decoration

    Case Hardened



    Fox B
    = Double triggers, no ejectors
    Fox BE = Same as Fox B but with automatic ejectors.
    Fox B-ST = single trigger, no ejectors
    Fox B-SE = single trigger, automatic ejectors
    Fox B-DE = single trigger, no ejectors
    Stevens 311 = Double triggers, no ejectors
    Stevens 311R = Same as 311 but with shorter 18.5" (riot) barrels
    Savage 550 = automatic selective ejectors, single trigger, top-tang safety.


    Comments 3 Comments
    1. ed mo's Avatar
      ed mo -
      Nice article. would like help identifying manufacture date of Savage Fox B series h 20 gauge SXS Ser# B983***
    1. ed mo's Avatar
      ed mo -
      Thanks for your help.