I finally picked up my Savage last Saturday. It is even better than I had remembered. It indeed has the metal grips. The serial no 78xx puts it in 1909 manufacture year. Gun is in very good shape, takedown was fine (no hardened oil), magazine works fine. Gun shoots fine, and even accurate if you take time to really see those tiny sights.
Recoil is noticably milder than my CZ083 .32acp, and this is due to the gun's action, no doubt.
The gun is a joy. Here is a photo, although it's a bit yellow due to low light indoors.
Thanks again for your info . . . maybe we can carry this over to The High Road forum, or elsewhere . . .