Ken
Assuming the brief company history contained in the 1902 SAC catalog is correct; then yes, the above noted GB gun was manufactured sometime between 1896 and 1901, as that catalog states the name of the gun "was changed in 1896 to THE SYRACUSE in honor of the city it which it was made". Frank Hollenbeck resigned from the company in July, 1895 (his letter of resignation to the company survive and was found in items from his daughter's estate)where he then went off on his own to make his short-lived "hygenic bicycle seats"; so I would think the name change year is accurate. The gun noted above appears to be a standard early A Greade gun with auto-ejectors, which were also introduced in 1896; and was most likely made before 1900. The HOLLENBECK marked guns were out of procuction by the time SAC offered auto-ejectors, and I've never seen a HOLLENBECK marked SAC gun with retro-fitted auto ejectors. But even though SAC used a consectively number serial number sequence beginning with No. 1 (lowest number I've seen is No.37), my studies find the occassional low serial numbered, high-grade SAC gun built with features not cataloged before 1902 such as the ejector on/off device and their 3/4, or "S" shaped pistol grip; but I've also seen several high and low grade early numbered examples that have combinations of features from all three production periods? All this keeps the study of the SAC gun interesting, but frustrating too; as such discoveries only raise more questions than provides answers.
The colors on the above restored gun are not correct, as the handful of SAC guns I've seen with lots of original remaining case color are much more vivid and vibrant. We have a member here, can't recall his handle, who has a Grade O gun with fabulous original colors; and he may post again to this thread, although I'm sure photos of that gun are archieved here somewhere. All SAC/Hollenbeck guns also featured nitre blued trigger plates; the plate in the example noted above is case colored. The Damascus and Twist barreled SAC guns I've seen with lots of original barrel pattern finish feature black and white contrast as opposed to a "browned" look. Dr. Drew, should he choose to post, has pics of an "as new" set of SAC Grade 2 & 3 Improved Damascus patterned barrels he might share again. He also has pics (not great pics) of the case colors from a 1901 vintage Grade 00 SAC gun I recently stumbled across that he could also share. As regards restoration of finishes to your gun, I would suggest that you pull out your DGJ collection (Volume 23, Issue 4) and check out Terry Allen's pics of a Grade D3 Hollenbeck SAC gun (#180 I believe?), as that gun had tons of remaining original and period correct finishes; altough its original case colors had darkened a bit with age. Hope this helps you some what, and feel free to ask for my assistance anytime. Tom
