This is an extremely rare example of a World War II T-3 Sniper Carbine that was manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. According to the included Cody Firearms Records Office letter, the serial number 02706 was applied to this Winchester T-3 on August 10, 1945, just one day after the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, and 4 days before Japanese surrender. It features an experimental longer length 19 3/4 inch barrel, and was reportedly used in testing at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, in which they experimented with some scoped T-3s with unsatisfactory results due to spent casings hitting the scope as they ejected. It is fitted with a World War II 2.5x power M73B1 scope mounted on top of its integral receiver bases. This exact example is pictured on pages 1074-1076 of the book "War Baby III: The U.S. Carbine Into the 21st Century" by Larry L. Ruth. Winchester was originally contracted for 5,160 T-3 carbines in April of 1945, but only manufactured a reported 1,108 before the cancellation of their contract in September due to the end of World War II, found in their own unique serial range separate from the standard M1 and M2 carbines, with Winchester originally assigned the serial number block 01701-07545, in which Winchester T-3 production likely ended around serial number 02808. Inland held two different contracts for another 1,700 T-3 carbines, in two more entirely separate serial blocks (0001-1700 and 00001-00900), with approximately 1,600 believed to have been made in those two separate ranges before the termination of their contract due to the end of the war. The Winchester production T-3s differ from the Inland made T-3s in that they have an improved receiver design with integrally milled scope mounts. The T-3 Carbines were initially developed for use with sniper scopes, as seen on this example, with others made for use with infrared scopes. Very few surviving examples of T-3 carbines are known today, as 99% of these T-3 carbines were demilled after World War II and replaced by the M3 infrared sniper scope conversion package for use with a standard M1 carbine that uses a separate mounting bar fitted to the top of a standard receiver, whereas the T-3 carbine is only capable of being used with the earlier model of infrared scopes. The right side of the integral receiver scope mount is marked "U.S. CARBINE/CAL. 30 T-3" in two lines with the heel of the receiver marked "TRADEMARK/WINCHESTER" above the serial number "02706". The standard issue type M73B1 scope is correctly electro-stencil serial numbered "29426" on the tube, with a crosshair reticle, and has a rubber eye piece. The unmarked experimental 19 3/4 inch barrel has a 1 3/4 inch length smoothbore section in the muzzle end with a .385 inch diameter that appears to possibly be intended as a makeshift internal flash hider, and has no provisions for a front sight. Type I barrel band, Type III "A.I" parkerized round bolt, "W" heel plate, "6Y" operating rod, "W" milled trigger guard, "W" hammer, no maker marking on the magazine catch with the "M" marked face, "J.A.O." flip safety, "W" two-rivet handguard, "W" stamped in the sling inlet of the stock with crossed cannons cartouche stamp on the right of the buttstock, and an "SL" 15-round magazine. Includes a green canvas web sling, and a certificate of authenticity verifying it was once a part of the personal collection of noted author Larry L. Ruth. Note: This item features a high-capacity magazine which has a capacity above 10 rounds and cannot be sold or transferred to residents in states where long gun magazine capacity is limited to no more than 10 rounds. Please check your local laws and regulations prior to bidding. Provenance: The Larry L. Ruth Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Excellent, retains 98% original parkerized finish on the barrel, receiver and trigger housing, with a refinished replacement barrel band showing pitting underneath its finish. Stock is also excellent with distinct edges, some light dents and scratches, and crisp stamps. Mechanically excellent. Scope is excellent with 95% original blue finish on the tube, some minor dry cracking visible on the eye piece, and crisp clear optics with a minor haziness. This experimental World War II T-3 sniper carbine would make an extraordinary addition to any advanced U.S. military arms collection!