Page 348 - Auction84-Book1

Seldom Seen World War I Cameron-Yaggi Trench Device
LOT 580
U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle in an Extremely Rare Cameron- Yaggi Trench Device - Serial no. 623026, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. A rarely seen artifact from World War One, this is a fine combination of a 1916 production Model 1903 Springfield Rifle and a Cameron-Yaggi Device. As one of the signature American weapons of the 20th century, the 1903 Springfield needs no introduction. Developed as a joint venture between J.L. Cameron and L.E. Yaggi (which has been misspelled Yazzy and Yazzi over the years), the device was designed to
let an infantryman engage targets from
a trench without exposing themselves to enemy fire or shell fragments. Mainly made from blackened steel and brass, a 1903
rifle is mounted via brackets and straps at the butt and wrist, with a periscope (not included) for sighting, a hinged linkage to connect the rifle trigger to trigger on the frame and a swiveling pantograph arm to work the bolt. This allows the shooter to support and fire the rifle nearly two feet higher than normal, allowing them to keep their entire body behind hard cover and still observe and engage anyone trying
to cross No Man’s Land. On pages 217
and 218 of “The Springfield 1903 Rifle” by Lieutenant Colonel William S. Brophy, there are photographs of other devices and the periscope that this example does not have. The rifle is fitted with a “SA/1-16” marked barrel and a “JFC” marked stock, as well as a brown leather sling. Part of the bolt arm of the trench device is marked “SP 108.” With a set of hardwood grip panels.
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SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK '03 SPRINGFIELD SERVICE RIFLE BY CANFIELD