Page 312 - 83-BOOK1

Collector’s Fact
According to author William Brophy, approximately only 80 U.S. Springfield 1922 Heavy Barrel rifles were manufactured.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLE BY BROPHY
LOT 435
Excellent State Rifle Team Marked
U.S. Springfield Model 1903/1922
Heavy Barrel Target Rifle, Documented and Photographed in Brophy’s “The
Springfield 1903 Rifle” - Serial no. 1245963, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Introduced in 1922, the 1922 Heavy Barrel Rifle was a continued evolution of the “free rifle” pattern target guns manufactured by Springfield for use in competitions that did not call for explicitly stock standard military rifles. Production of this variant is believed to be limited; a year after the initial announcement of the rifle by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship, it was announced that stocks of the rifle were exhausted, and while the announcement implied more barrels would be coming in, they do not appear to have materialized, and the next target variant (the 1924 International Match) used outsourced barrels from Winchester, Remington and Pope instead of in-house barrels.
The model is discussed on pages 112-114 of William Brophy’s reference “The Springfield 1903 Rifle”, where he notes an estimated total
production of 80 rifles. Further, this specific rifle is photographed and named by serial number on the same pages, being used as the exemplar of some
of the 1922 Heavy Barrel’s signature features, such as the elevated and integrally forged front sight base, the use of a modified Model 1917 barrel band, as well as the stock configuration. Fitted with a blade front sight in the aforementioned integral dovetail and a Lyman peep receiver sight with matching “N19” assembly numbers, with a pair of scope blocks on the unmarked heavy weight barrel. The receiver bears standard Model 1903 markings, and is properly free of drilling or tapping for a scope mount. The bolt is marked “W L/3” on top of the bright polished handle, with a truncated match-style cocking knob. The stock is similar in construction to the .22 caliber Model 1922, though with finger grooves and dual reinforcing bolts, and fitted with the aforementioned 1917-derived barrel band and a lightly curved checkered buttplate. A set of “D.A.L” and circled block “P” inspection marks are present on the left side and on the wrist, respectively, and the right side of the buttstock is stamped “MASS. RIFLE TEAM”; while not documented, this is likely a marking for the Massachusetts National Guard, whose rifle team took 3rd place in the first ever U.S. National Trophy Team Match at Sea Girt, New Jersey. At least one other 1922 Heavy Barrel rifle is known to be marked for “MASS. RIFLE”, and they were likely ordered as a group from the DCM. CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% plus original blue finish, showing mild wear and handling marks on the metal and wood overall. The scope blocks show some dents and polishing on the upper surfaces, and the front block has restaked screws. The stock is very fine and shows some scratches and dings, as well as crisp markings. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 436
Scarce Springfield Model 1903
Heavy Barreled Bolt Action
Target Rifle with Winchester
A5 Scope - Serial no. 1516555, 30 06 cal., 30 inch bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is an example of a late production Springfield Model 1903 “T” style target rifle that is fitted with a Winchester A5 scope. It is fitted with an original style very heavy 30 inch target weight “T” style barrel correctly fitted with the modified BAR front sight topped with a Lyman 17 globe front sight. The receiver is fitted with a long range Lyman 48C micrometer target rear sight and the stock has been properly inletted to accommodate the sight.
It is also fitted with two scope blocks, one mounted on top of the receiver and the other one on the barrel and it has a Winchester A5 commercial scope
installed on the blocks.
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It has the standard two line Winchester commercial markings and it has been deeply marked with “F3172”. The barrel is unmarked and unproofed and it is fitted with the standard milled components. The action is fitted with a NS marked bolt that is unnumbered and has been repolished, still in the white and it has fitted with a headless cocking piece. It has the correct style NRA style pistol grip stock without grasping grooves, two stock bolts, and a modified 1917 front barrel band designed to accommodate the heavy barrel. The lower lower sling swivel is mounted on the underside of the stock. The stock is fitted with the standard NRA style cupped steel buttplate. The rifle also has a leather sling. The receiver serial number of this rifle places it the range of rifles manufactured circa 1938, which is considered outside the normal range for the manufacture of the “T” rifle series. The “T” series of rifles were manufactured primarily in the 1924-1930 period. CONDITION: Very fine 95% original blue finish with minor edge and high spot wear. The floorplate is a parkerized replacement. The markings are clear and distinct. The stock is also in excellent condition with its nice original medium brown finish overall showing only minor handling marks. The Winchester scope retains 70% of its blued finish showing minor spotting and thinning mixed with extensive patches of dark corrosion. The markings are clear and distinct. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000