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LOT 344
Rare Documented Unopened U.S.
Navy Atlantic Escape and Evasion
“Barter Kit” - Designed for and issued
to American pilots possibly as early as
World War II, for use in the event they
were downed behind enemy lines, or
otherwise found themselves in hostile
territory. On average the kits contained
approximately .90 Troy ounces of fine
gold in the form of coins and rings, and
were issued sealed. Due to the value of
the individual kits, each kit was serial
numbered and had to be signed out
and signed back in with all contents
accounted for if the kit was opened in
the course of duty. This particular kit
is the Atlantic variation, which would
traditionally contain a British or South
African Pound gold Sovereign, two
British and/or South African gold half
Sovereigns, a 10 Franc coin, a 20 Franc
coin, and three golden rings. The case itself is hard rubber and marked “IF FOUND RETURN TO/
COMNAVAIRLANT (CNAL 34)/NORFOLK, VIRGINIA” on both sides and the individual serial number
“918” is hand marked on one side; the use of the “COMNAVAIRLANT” abbreviation for Commander,
Air Force Atlantic, started in the 1950’s. Included with the lot is a photocopied documentation
putting this kit by serial number as part of a Defense Logistics Agency property disposal auction in
1980 in Columbus, Ohio, with copies of articles related to the sale and the official DLA instructions
for removing the contents, a 2020 dated bill of sale numbered to the kit, which mentions a
supplied x-ray. The x-ray negative (which shows the number on the internal metal plate and x-ray
opaque obstructions consistent with 3 rings and 5 coins) is also included.
CONDITION: Fine, showing mild wear, with some light scuffs, and fading of the color of the rubber
in the areas of the contents.
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500
LOT 345
Grouping of Navy Items, Chiefly Related to PT Boats -
Grouping includes a 1942 dated Watch Officer’s Guide, a
quartermaster’s logbook for Patrol Boat PT-588 with dates in mid-
1945, painted wood plaque for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons
Twenty-Eight, Thirty-Three, and Thirty-Nine, a Squadron Thirty-
Nine ashtray, and assorted maps and paper items (some of which
are related to PT-588, Squadron Thirty-Nine, and Lieutenant
L.B.Cousins of the U.S. Navy Reserve).
CONDITION: Good overall, with wear and tear appropriate to age.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 343
Exceptional U.S. Navy
“7.62 MM” Marked U.S. Springfield Armory M1 Garand Semi-
Automatic Match Rifle with Data Sheet - Serial no. 4263454, 7.62x51mm
NATO (308) cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Receiver
manufactured in 1952, subsequently built up and accurized by armorers of the U.S. Navy c.
1960s-1970s to match rifle specifications. Much like the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps, the Navy had its own armorers assemble and fine
tune M1 Garand rifles for their respective competitive shooting matches. Unlike the typical standard features that separate U.S. Springfield Armory
built Type 1 and Type 2 National Match rifle variants, the U.S.N. built M1 match rifles display a wider range of feature disparity with varying levels of modifications
performed based off of the individual procedures from one armorer to the next. Some of these disparities include the use of “NM” marked .30-06 Sprg.. chambered barrels or
non “NM” and “7.62 MM” marked 7.62x51 mm NATO chambered barrels, a mixed use of “NM” sight sets, and polishing work performed to the bottom of the barrel in the area where the operating rod rubs
against it. Reference pages 562-563 of Bruce Canfield’s “The M1 Garand Rifle” for more details on the U.S.N. converted M1 match rifles. This example features a “NM/062” marked winged blade front sight,
“NM” marked T105 adjustable peep rear sight assembly with “595” hood and “NM/2A” marked base, “NM” wide-base gas cylinder, chamfered lock, single slot screw, “6528287-SA/Y02” bolt, “NM” marked
“7790722-R A” operating rod, “11” follower slide, “BR” marked 7.62x51 mm limiting block installed in the magazine assembly, and “D28290-7-SA” trigger housing with a “C46008-3 SA” hammer, “SA” safety, and
unmarked stamped trigger guard. The receiver bears a “TE/9-65” rebuild on the right lug under the woodline. The “SA” marked and “9 65” dated barrel is marked with “PM” and “7.62 MM” under the operating
rod, and features a bright chamber ring. Fitted with a walnut front handguard fastened to the lower band with two screws, a walnut rear handguard, and a walnut stock, glass bedded to the receiver and
trigger guard, with a circled serif “P” firing proof on the grip and the ferrule secured with two screws. A white range card (with elevation and windage click graduations for 100, 200, 300, 600, and 1,000
yards noted in pen) is attached to the left side of the forend. Includes a M1 nylon pattern web sling and a consignor supplied data sheet that confirms the rifle’s configuration and notes some additional
details including “MATCH CONDITIONED by KEN HULL, USN (RET)” at the bottom.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as built up by U.S. Navy armorers into “7.62 MM” match rifle configuration, retaining 97% plus parkerized finish with some minor edge wear, light cycling wear, some dried
grease in protected areas, some dried varnished on the upper and lower bands, and some minor handling marks. The stock is very fine as sanded, varnished, and glass bedded, with some minor handling
marks and attractive grain. Mechanically excellent. Overall a very attractive example of a U.S. Navy “7.62 mm” chambered M1 Garand match rifle!
Provenance: The Billy Pyle Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500