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LOT 1297
Rare U.S. Property Marked Winchester Model 70 “Van Orden Sniper”
Configured Special Target Bolt Action Rifle - Serial no. 409678, 30-06
Springfield cal., 24 inch heavy round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Dubbed the “Van Orden
Sniper”, this is a rare, highly sought after variation of the Winchester Model 70 rifle. After World War II, retired Marine Corps Colonel George Van Orden opened
the Evaluators Gunshop outside the Quantico Marine base. Van Orden’s shop evaluated and sold equipment to police forces and to the military as well as to civilians
all over the world. After the Korean War, the company began selling the special ordered Model 70 rifles in his own favorite configuration, which became known as the “Van
Orden Sniper”. The U.S.M.C. started using the Winchester Model 70 rifles in across the course and international match competition in the late 1940s up through the late 1960s. Some key features
of a “Van Orden Sniper” rifle such as this example are a clip slotted receiver, 24 inch medium heavy target barrel chambered in 30-06 with scope blocks, and a heavy marksman type stock, with this example
also having features of a “Special Target” as mentioned in Van Orden flyers in that it has mounting blocks for target sights on both the front top of the barrel and left rear of the receiver. The rifle shows standard
Winchester barrel and receiver markings, including the factory oval proofs, and is electro-penciled “U.S. PROPERTY” on the left of the receiver ring.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue finish, some high edge wear, a few handling marks, and a couple spots of light pitting and oxidation primarily on the bolt shroud. The stock is very fine as
well with scattered dings and scratches and a few small chips. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The 50 year Collection of Johnny Walker Birmingham Pistol Wholesale.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,000
LOT 1298
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Armory M1D Garand Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle with M84 Scope, DCM Receipt, Shipping
Box, and Accessories - Serial no. 928720, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Receiver originally manufactured in
October 1942 and subsequently arsenal upgraded to the M1D Sniper specifications, with many rifles so converted used during Korean and the Vietnam Wars.
Features a winged blade front and T105 adjustable peep rear sights, wide base gas cylinder with “M” marked gas cylinder lock and “T/PAX” cross slot screw,
“D28287-19SA/A-9” bolt, “S-A-8-52” barrel also marked “P/T/U” with parkerized chamber, and an “IHC D6528290” trigger housing with “C46008-3 SA” hammer,
“C46015-9SA” safety, and unmarked stamped guard. The stock could not be easily removed from the action (despite not being glass bedded) to inspect further.
Fitted with a smooth pistol grip stock with an open box “S.A.” rebuild stamp on the left of the butt, circled serif “P”, boxed “P”, and “P” firing proofs visible on the
underside of the grip. Includes a M84 scope (serial number “27873”) with post-and-crosshair reticle, sliding sun-shield, rubber eyepiece, M1D screw mount, and
matching numbered wrapper, “MRT/3-69” marked leather cheek rest in plastic wrapper, along with a flash hider, sling, carrying case, and cleaning tools still
sealed in original paper wrappers, as well as a shipping box addressed from the U.S. Anniston Army Depot. Also includes a numbers matching bill of sale from
the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) identifying the rifle as “COND A SERVICE GRADE”, DCM M1D order instructions, and customer receipt.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as arsenal upgraded to M1D specifications, retaining 98% plus parkerized finish with a small spot of rust visible between the
barrel and receiver, but otherwise limited minor handling marks. The stock is very fine as arsenal sanded with dried Cosmoline in the grain. Mechanically
excellent. The scope is excellent with clear optics. The accessories are also excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500