Page 333 - 4090-BOOK1

LOT 448
Rare and Excellent Smith & Wesson Mark II
Semi-Automatic Light Rifle with Accessories - Serial
no. 2114, 9 mm Luger cal., 9 1/2 inch fluted bbl., blue finish, synthetic stock. Developed in the late 1930s and
early 1940s, the Smith & Wesson Light Rifle, aka the Model 1940, was conceived in response to a request
by Great Britain for a lightweight semi-automatic rifle. S&W’s response was mechanically novel, especially
in the fully ambidextrous magazine well/ejector chute; this feature was relatively ahead of its time, it was
generally outclassed by other carbines and submachine guns on the market, particularly the U.S. M1 Carbine.
In competition, it squared off against the now-iconic U.S. M1 Carbine, with the additional handicap of severe
ammunition trouble. The Light Rifle had been developed using commercially available 9 mm Parabellum
ammunition, which was not a chamber pressure match for the military-contract ammo issued during the test.
S&W revisited the drawing board, resulting in the Mark II, which integrated a machined steel sleeve around
the receiver, which acted as a reinforcement as well as a positive bolt-blocking safety. This was not enough
to save the project, and the British shelved the Light Rifle, demanded a refund on their advance, and, once the
pressing matter of World War II was resolved, took their stock of unwanted Light Rifles and threw them in the English Channel. According to the Smith & Wesson historian, in 1974 Smith & Wesson found a limited number of unfired 1940 light rifles packed in crates. These were classified as Curio & Relic items and sold as collector’s pieces. According to Jinks on page 240 of “History of Smith & Wesson,” 137 Mark I rifles were found along with 80 Mark II rifles. Many of these survivors are branded with a prominent metal plate (absent on this example) declaring them unsafe to fire. Features blade front and elevation adjustable notch rear sights, with a fluted barrel, ribbed safety, signature combination magazine well/ejector port, and a smooth stock with a ribbed buttplate includes a leather sling, two extra magazines, tool, and a S&W manual.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 99% plus original blue finish with limited light handling marks and faint spotting. The stock has minimal light handling evidence. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 449 Very Scarce and Desirable Vietnam Era U.S. Marked Winchester Model 1200 Slide Action Trench Shotgun - Serial no. 429876, 12 gauge, 20 inch round bbl., parkerized/black/blue finish, walnut stock. These were the standard commercial Winchester Model 1200 shotguns produced during the late 1960s and early-mid 1970s that were purchased and adapted for the military with a trench type bayonet lug/heat shield and U.S. marked. By the time most of these were delivered to the U.S. Military, the Vietnam War was nearing its end, and very few are believed to have made it overseas to Southeast Asia. Some of these remained in service and saw use in Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Most were destroyed after their military service, leading to their scarcity today, with sparse government records of contract deliveries. The barrel is equipped with a six hole pattern heat shield with the bayonet lug adapter marked with part number “11686389” on the front end, secured to the barrel with three screws. The bayonet lug on this shotgun is sized for use with a M1917 bayonet, which remained in service through the time this gun would have been in use. The barrel is marked as cylinder choke and with 2 3/4 inch chamber, with “U.S.” above the standard markings, and the frame is “US” marked on the bottom below the serial number. Blue/black anodized alloy frame, trigger housing and loading gate, blued magazine tube, parkerized steel barrel, heat shield/bayonet adapter and bolt. Fitted with an extended forearm and pistol grip stock with a Winchester branded hard rubber buttplate. 14 inch length of pull. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 98% plus arsenal parkerized finish on the barrel, heat shield/bayonet adapter and bolt, 99% original matte blue/ black anodized finish on the receiver, trigger guard and loading gate, 85% original blue finish on the magazine tube with some light cycling wear, numerous scattered small dings on the bolt, and some light handling marks. Wood is also excellent with a few scattered mild dents and scratches and crisp defined edges. Mechanically excellent. This high condition example of a desirable Vietnam era U.S. marked Winchester Model 1200 trench shotgun is the missing piece to any advanced U.S. Military firearms collection!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000 331
According to Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks, only 80 Smith & Wesson Mark II Light Rifles still exist.