Page 234 - Auction84-Book3

SERIAL NUMBER 1
232
LOT 3413
Extremely Rare Documented Serial Number 1 Marlin MC-58 Prototype U.S.M.C. Trials M1 Garand Style Training Rifle - Serial no. 1, 22 LR cal., 24 inch
round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. This is one of only five of these prototype training rifles,
using an action based off of a Marlin Model 89 and resembling an M1 Garand, reported to have been manufactured
at Marlin Firearms Company for U.S. Marine Corps trials; with all the examples numbered 1 through 5 and hand-fitted without parts interchangeability between them. In 1956, the U.S. Marine Corps invited a number
of firearms companies to submit training rifles for evaluation in the development of
a suitable rifle that would be used in the early stages of marksmanship with Marines.
A list of requirements they were looking for in a potential .22 caliber training rifle
including that the rifle must be semi-automatic, have a ten-round detachable box magazine, be fitted in a stock resembling the standard full-size .30 caliber U.S. M1 Garand rifle,
be equipped to accept a military style 1 1/4” inch sling, windage and elevation adjustable sights with the
same sight picture as the M1 rifle, easily operated manual safety, the ability to operate under numerous conditions,
capability of firing 1,000 rounds continuously with minimal malfunctions, and the manufacturers were supposed to be
able to ensure replacement parts. Marlin submitted all five rifles, and after trials the Marine Corps reported thirteen deficiencies they felt Marlin could rectify in the design of the rifles. After modification, the rifles were put through a second test conducted at Quantico and performed better with fewer malfunctions, although suffered from some failures to feed. The guns were returned by Marlin to Quantico a third time and performed well. In April 1958, Marlin was invited to bid on a 3,000 rifle semi-automatic training rifle contract, and their bid was not accepted. After trials, the Marine Corps ended up contracting with Harrington & Richardson for their MC-58 training rifles styled more similar to the then new in service standard full-sized M14 rifle. In September 1958, the Marine Corps kept the five Marlin training rifles then on loan. One of these rifles is pictured and described on pages 686- 687 of Lieutenant Colonel William S. Brophy’s book “Marlin Firearms” in which the book states, “It has been reported that some of them [of the five rifles made] were sold by the Corps and are now in the collecting world.” Serial number “1” marked on top of the ring mount fixed on the front of the receiver and on the underside of the breech end of the barrel. “Marlin” inscribed on the base of the blued magazine. A small Marlin trademark “bull’s-eye” is inset on the underside of the buttstock. Includes an olive drab green leather sling marked “MRT/JAN. 1953” in black letters. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original parkerized finish with some light scratches. Stock is very fine with attractive raised grains and scattered light scratches and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. This is a rare opportunity to acquire this spectacular prototype Marlin MC-58 training rifle built to resemble an M1 Garand and used in U.S. Marine Corps trials. This would make an excellent addition to any advanced U.S. Military arms collection! Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000 LOT 3414 World War II U.S. Inland “Hand Stamped” M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine - Serial no. 6749349, 30 Carbine cal., 18 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. This is an example of a late WWII M1 carbine manufactured by the Inland Division of General Motors Corp. featuring the scarce and desirable “hand stamped” receiver. Manufactured late in M1 carbine production concurrently with the first M2 automatic carbines, these “hand stamped” receivers were machine stamped with “M” and the number left blank so “1” or “2” could be hand stamped later in production based on need. M1/M2 hand stamped receivers fall in the 6629884-7234883 serial number range and, compared to overall production, make up a small percentage of M1 receivers. This example is showing all the very late war features such as a milled rear sight, type three “AI” barrel band, blued round bolt assembly, milled trigger guard, push button safety, and the “M” marked magazine release. The walnut stock is stamped with the Ordnance Department crossed cannon cartouche on the right side behind “WRA/GHD” (Winchester Repeating Arms/Guy H. Drewry), “W” in the sling slot, and has a four-rivet “H.I.” walnut handguard. As stated, the receiver has the desirable and scarce hand stamped “1” which is located to the right of the “M” on the receiver ring markings. “INLAND DIV./6749349” marked on the heel of the receiver. “INLAND MFG. DIV./GENERAL MOTORS/1-45” marked barrel. Large stenciled letters “200” marked in white paint on the right of the buttstock. Magazine absent. Includes an oiler and an olive drab green leather sling. Consignor notes indicate this example was sold through the DCM. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 95% original parkerized finish with some light handling marks, 70% plus original blue finish on the bolt, and a few dings on the buttplate. Stock is a fine earlier production replacement with some scattered scratches and dents, and painted letters as mentioned above. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3415
U.S. International Harvester “Gap Letter” M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle - Serial no. 4638317, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized/blue finish, walnut stock. The receiver marking at the heel has a gap between “U.S./CAL.” and “RIFLE /.30 M1” on top of receiver legend, thus denoting Springfield Armory manufacture. Blade front and adjustable peep rear sights, unmarked replacement blued barrel, “SA” bolt, trigger group, and operating rod. An import mark is on the left side of the receiver. Smooth pistol grip stock, with a faint “P” stamp behind the trigger guard and checkered steel buttplate containing an oiler in the compartment. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% arsenal parkerized finish. The stock is also very fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some light scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500