Page 147 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1309
U.S. Navy Contract Winchester-Lee Model 1895 Straight Pull Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 4563, 6 mm Lee cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This Winchester-Lee Model 1895 straight pull rifle was manufactured by Winchester Repeating Arms Co. as part of the first contract run for the United States Navy with completed deliveries between 1896-1897. Designed by James Paris Lee, the innovative Winchester-Lee rifles are chambered for the rimless high velocity 6mm Lee Navy (.236) cartridge and feature a straight pull-bolt action, charger-loaded five-shot magazine and pistol grip stock. These rifles saw extensive service with the Navy and Marine Corps landing parties during the Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion and
Philippine Insurrection. This rifle has the Navy markings: “-U.S.N.-/Naval anchor/No.4563/-N.C.T.-” roll-stamped on the top of the receiver, with the latter being the inspection initials of Nathan C. Twining. A small five-pointed star Navy inspection mark is stamped ahead of the buttplate tang. Winchester patent marks are roll-stamped in two lines on the left side of the receiver. The barrel, upper and lower barrel bands, rear sight base, receiver, bolt, magazine, trigger guard and buttplate have military blue finish. The rear sight leaf spring is nitre blue. The stock and handguard are oil finished black walnut. The upper barrel band has a stacking swivel, the lower band has a fixed sling swivel, ahead of the magazine has a rotating sling swivel, and a fixed sling swivel is fitted underneath the buttstock. Fitted with the scarce front sight cover designed for the Navy Model 1895 rifles. The carbine style buttplate has a sliding butt trap door. Although the innovative U.S. Navy Model 1895 rifle had a relatively short service life it is a scarce and historically important rifle that saw action in numerous small engagements with the Navy and Marines in the colonial era that began with the Spanish American War. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a Winchester Repeating Arms Co. bayonet, scabbard, and period leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, retaining 30% plus of the original blue finish strongest on the receiver and bolt body with smooth brown patina on the balance and scattered spotting. Stock is very good with scattered light dents and scratches. Mechanically fine. Included bayonet is very fine with a few patches of light spotting. Included scabbard is fine with some light wear. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1310
Very Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1892 Second Type Krag-Jorgensen Bolt Action Rifle with 1894 Dated Bayonet - Serial no. 20141, 30 ARMY (30-40) cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Krag-Jorgensen bolt action was invented
by Captain Ole Krag and Erik Jorgensen of Norway around 1886, and variations were adopted by Norway, the Dutch, and of course the United States. Though named “Model 1892” based on the year the design was selected after trials, the First Type Springfield Krag-Jorgensen rifles were manufactured in 1894, and the Second Type rifles came out in late 1894 and 1895. The most readily identifiable difference in the Second Type rifles are the dual strap upper barrel bands. Other aspects were also strengthened or altered throughout production before production shifted to the Model 1896, which had a compartment in the buttstock and other differences. This Second Type rifle has the correct flat muzzle (not crowned), standard Model 1892 stepped rear sight graduated out to 1,900 yards and not adjustable for windage, “1894.” followed by “U.S./SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.” and serial number “20141” marked on the left side of the receiver, correct dual strap front barrel band and one-piece slotted cleaning rod, correctly has no hold open pin on the bolt, and transitional bolt sleeve. Model 1896 replacement stock marked with a “JSA/1896” inspection cartouche with angled corners on the left of the wrist, circled script “P” behind the trigger guard, buttplate without compartment door (stock has cavity cut for a compartment) and butt with curved toe, and has been modified for use with the Model 1892 front band with cleaning rod. Early Model 1892 handguard that does not extend over the receiver ring. According to records quoted in “The Krag Rifle Story” by Mallory and Olson, only 6,000 of the Model 1892s were not converted to the Model 1896
pattern and “evidently many of these unconverted rifles were lost or destroyed in service or were scrapped, because unaltered Model 1892 rifles are extremely scarce.”“GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a correct knife bayonet dated “1894”, type II metal scabbard (modified so the belt hook can rotate 360 degrees), period leather sling, and brass muzzle cover. CONDITION: Very good, retaining more than half the period refinished blue over with some scattered light pitting. Stock is very fine with attractive raised grain, some scratches and dents, defined grasping grooves, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fine with sharp edges and some light pitting, scabbard is also fine, and sling is very good with some light aging. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1311 Very Scarce Antique U.S. Springfield Model 1898 Krag-Jorgensen Bolt Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 122833, 30-40 Krag cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly, approximately 5,000 Model 1898 carbines were manufactured by Springfield and were the last U.S. military arm to be fitted with a saddle ring. Standard Springfield Armory markings on the left of the receiver including model designation and serial number. Fitted with hooded blade front and 2000 yard, “C” marked folding ladder rear sights, correct Model 1898 handguard, saddle ring on left side of wrist, marked with boxed “JSA/1898” cartouche, circled script “P” on the underside of the wrist, “GDM”, George D. Moller Collection marking on the toe of the buttstock, and cleaning rod and oiler in the butt trap.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 60% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish on the barrel and 50% of the dark oil quenched finish on the receiver with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina, primarily on the buttplate and receiver tube. The wood is also very good with a couple minor chips on the forearm, a few scattered minor dings, a small gap at the toe with the buttplate, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1312
Desirable Spanish-American War Era U.S. Springfield Model 1896 Krag-Jorgensen Bolt Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 76511, 30 ARMY (30-40) cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These carbines were used throughout the Spanish-American War and later in the Philippine Insurrection, most famously by future President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1st Volunteer Cavalry “Rough Riders”. Fixed blade front sight fitted with “C” marked detachable sight hood and 2,000 yard “C” marked ladder rear sight. The oil-quenched casehardened receiver is marked “MODEL 1896.”, “U.S./SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.” and serial number “76511” on the left side. Correct high hump barrel band to protect the rear sight from catching in a saddle boot, a short saddle ring on the left side followed by a boxed script “JSA/1897” cartouche with angled corners, a faint circled script “P” behind the trigger guard, and
buttplate with a trapdoor compartment containing a three-piece cleaning rod and oiler. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. CONDITION: Very good with smooth brown patina on the barrel, gray patina on the receiver, scattered light spotting, scattered patches of light pitting, and original blue finish showing on the barrel band, safety switch, and bolt sleeve. Stock is also very good with legible cartouche, scattered scratches and dents, and nice grasping grooves. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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Collector’s Fact
According to The Krag Rifle Story by Mallory and Olson, only 6000 U.S. Springfield Model 1892 rifles were not converted to the model 1896 pattern.