Page 312 - Auction84-Book2
P. 312

  LOT 1607
Excellent Springfield Model 1903 N.R.A. Marked
Sales Bolt Action Rifle with Original M1905 Bayonet and Scabbard - Serial no. 624020, 30-06 cal., 24
    inch bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is a beautiful example of an original, unaltered Springfield Model 1903, N.R.A. marked Sales Rifle that was sold circa 1916. The front of the trigger guard finial is correctly stamped with a small “Shell & Flame” insignia above “N.R.A.” which indicates the rifle is one of the hand selected and star gauged M1903 rifles sold to N.R.A. members between 1910 and 1917. These rifles were authorized by Congress for the purposes of training and shooting various rifle matches through out the United States culminating in the Nation Matches held at Camp Perry. The 1910-1917 NRA Sales Model 1903 rifles were all hand/specially selected for superior fit and finish and although not specifically marked the barrel were all “air gauged” for straightness and accuracy. They had the standard five line receiver markings with a dark, oil-quenched casehardened finish. The barrel is roll-marked behind the front sight with “SA/Ordnance Shell & Flame insignia/2-16” in three lines.
The rifle has the standard pre-WWI features that include: (1) Style S stock with grasping grooves and a single reinforcing bolt, (2) high hump handguard with sight clearance cut and spring clips, (3) rear sight with large, concave, windage knob, small, concave binding screw with groove in the knurl and 2,800 yard notch in the center of the leaf, (4) straight handle bolt with heat lot marking “C 6” on the bottom of the lug, (5) grooved trigger, and (6) fine checkered buttplate. The safety and “OFF” side of the magazine cut-off are color casehardened. The face of the rear sight leaf and “ON” side of the cut-off are bright. The rifle has all blued and milled components, and the buttstock and hand guard have an oil-finished walnut. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with the block letters “J.S.A.” enclosed in a rectangle. An encircled, script “P” proofmark is stamped on the underside of the stock behind the trigger guard. It is complete with an early pre-WWI commercially stamped leather sling and an original Model 1905 bright polished bayonet and 1910 canvas scabbard. The bayonet is marked “SA/1916” on one side with the obverse stamped U.S./641439”. CONDITION: Excellent with 90% of the original blue and oil-quenched finish overall showing some very minor edge and high spot wear overall and slightly more blue loss on the front of the floorplate and triggerguard. The receiver shows 95% of the fragile oil-quenched finish mixed with some minor flaking/spotting. The stock and handguard are both excellent with a beautiful matching medium brown color overall showing only minor handling marks on the sides in a couple places. The cartouches and proofs are clear and sharp. The bayonet is excellent with the blade still showing the original bright polish mixed with some slight spotting/staining and excellent wood handles. The scabbard is also in very fine condition. A very high condition all original N.R.A. marked Sales Rifle. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1608
Very Early Production U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle Serial Number 172 in .30-06 Alteration with 1906 Dated Bayonet - Serial no. 172, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Springfield Model 1903 rifle serial number 172 was altered from the original “Rod-Bayonet” configuration c. 1905 and re-chambered for the .30- 06 cartridge around 1909. This rifle has the “S” stock with single reinforcing bolt introduced in 1909 and retains most of the early components including the handguard with no sight slot or spring clips, rear sight with platinum sight line, small, dished windage and elevation knobs, bright finished bolt body and niter blue extractor, smooth, narrow trigger guard and smooth buttplate. The bolt sleeve has the later style safety with block letter markings. The barrel, upper and lower
barrel bands, rear sight base, trigger guard and floorplate sling swivels and buttplate are blued. The receiver has the standard, early, four-line Springfield markings above the serial number. The barrel is roll-stamped with “SA/ordnance shell & flame/05/A” in four lines below the rear sight. “K” is stamped on the inside of the bolt handle. The left side of the stock is stamped with a final inspection mark consisting of the script initials “CV” in a rectangle with flattened corners. “M” is stamped to the left of the inspection mark, and “C” is stamped to the right of the mark. The underside of the stock below the trigger guard is stamped with an “A” sub-inspection mark and encircled, script “P” proof mark. A small “S” is stamped on the forearm tip. The rifle is accompanied by an early production Springfield Model 1905 Bayonet dated “1906” and first style, short throat, leather M1905 scabbard marked “R.I.A. /1906”. Early production Model 1903 rifles with the 1905 alteration are scarce. CONDITION: Very good. The receiver of this rifle has been reblued, but the remainder of the rifle is in fine overall condition. All of the components appear to be original to this rifle. The stock and handguard are excellent with a deep scratch in the wood by the floor plate. The “CV” final inspection mark is extremely sharp. Mechanically fine. The bayonet has been lightly cleaned, and the walnut grips show moderate handling wear. The scarce first pattern scabbard remains in very fine condition. This is a good looking representative example of one of the very first M1903 Springfield rifles manufactured. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1609
Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1903 .22 Caliber Hoffer-Thompson Bolt Action Gallery Practice Rifle with Cartridge Adapters - Serial no. 479566, 22 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1911, this U.S. Springfield 1903 Rifle is configured as a Gallery Practice Rifle for use with the Hoffer-Thompson adapter system. Designed to facilitate practice on shorter ranges and introduce novice shooters to the ins and outs of
full power bolt action operation, the Gallery Practice Rifle is externally identical to the standard 1903, with a smaller bore and a chamber designed to take a 30-06 sized metal adapter. These adapters could be clip loaded like standard rounds and would chamber and extract in standard fashion. Produced from 1906 to 1921, the 1903 Gallery Practice would be retired in favor of training rifles designed for use without adapters. Standard blade front and 2,750 yard ladder rear sights on the “SA/8-12” barrel, with the standard markings on the receiver ring and “22” on top of the receiver bridge. The stock bears a “J.F.C.” cartouche on the left side and is marked “30” on the underside of the wrist, with a brown leather sling and a sharply checkered steel buttplate. Included with the rifle are 5 Hoffer-Thompson adapters, one brass stripper clip, and a small tool for removing spent casings. CONDITION: Fine, with 80% of the original blue finish at the barrel and receiver, showing areas of brown and gray patina, bright edge wear and minor spotting and handling marks. The trigger guard assembly is reblued, with most remaining. The stock is also fine, with minor dents and scratches overall and a few chips and short cracks around the buttplate. Mechanically very good. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
310
          






















































































   310   311   312   313   314