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LOT 357
Rare World War
II U.S. Remington
Model 11 Aerial Combat Training Semi-Automatic Shotgun - Serial
no. 708077, 12 gauge, 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. “LNN” February 1944 date
code on the left breech area of the matching numbered barrel. This rare shotgun was designed for use by the
U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. It was intended to be mounted in a firing fixture that simulated the door
and turret mounts of World War II bombers and was to teach the proper “lead” for aerial gunnery. The receiver has four large
threaded holes that attached the shotgun in an aerial gunnery fixture. The receiver is marked with flaming bomb proof, U.S. and
military finish and so is the barrel. It is complete with the original Cutts compensator on the barrel. With a single nickel bead sight
and 2 3/4 inch chamber. The barrel is also without choke markings which is correct. Length of pull is 13 7/8 inches.
CONDITION: Excellent overall with 98% original blue finish. The buttstock is also excellent. The left side of the forend has two age cracks right in front of the receiver. Mechanically
excellent. These are very difficult to find and are much rarer than the standard riot shotguns.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 356
Very Fine U.S. Air Force “AFPG” and
“7.62 MM” Marked U.S. Springfield
Armory M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Match Rifle with Data Sheet - Serial no. 3837314,
7.62x51mm NATO (308) cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized/blue finish, walnut stock. Receiver
from the end of World War II era production, manufactured in June 1945, then subsequently built up and
accurized by armorers of the U.S. Air Force Competitive Weapons Shop c. 1972 to match rifle specifications. Much like the U.S.
Navy and Marine Corps, the Air Force had its own armorers assemble and fine tune M1 Garand rifles for their respective competitive shooting
matches, with such rifles converted by the U.S.A.F. Competitive Weapons Shop at Lakeland Air Force Base in San, Antonio, Texas. Unlike the typical standard
features that separate U.S. Springfield Armory built Type 1 and Type 2 National Match rifle variants, the U.S. Air Force 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 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. The barrel of these rifles are typically stamped with “AFPG” on the left side for “Air Force Premium Grade”. Reference pages 562-563 of Bruce Canfield’s “The M1 Garand Rifle” for more details on the
U.S.A.F. “AFPG” converted M1 match rifles. This example features a “NM/062” marked winged blade front sight, “NM” marked T105 adjustable peep rear sight assembly with “520” hood, “NM” wide-base gas cylinder, ‘high-hump’ lock,
“T/PAX” cross-slot screw, “D28287-1W.R.A.” bolt with “7.62” electro-stenciled on top, “NM” marked “7790722-R A” operating rod, “12” follower slide, 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 “RIA” (U.S. Rock Island Arsenal) marked and “6. 69.” dated barrel is marked with “NM” on the left, “PM” and “7.62 MM”
under the operating rod, and features a polished underside and 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, stamped with a matching partial serial number “7314” on the upper right side of the forend, with a faint boxed “DoD eagle” acceptance stamp on the left of the wrist, circled serif “P” firing proof on the
grip, and the ferrule secured with two screws. Includes a “MRT/MARCH 1984” marked M1907 pattern leather sling, a plastic muzzle cover, and a consignor supplied data sheet that confirms the rifle’s configuration and noting some
additional details including the presence of a drilled hole in the right side of the receiver under the windage knob with inserted spring and detent plunger (allowing for 1/2 MOA adjustments) and the aforementioned last four
digits of the serial number stamped on the forend.
CONDITION: Very fine as built up by U.S.A.F. Competitive Weapons Shop armorers into “AFPG” match rifle configuration, retaining 95% parkerized and 80% blue finishes with some minor light wear, light cycling wear, some dried
grease in protected areas, plum coloration on the bolt, 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 an attractive example of a U.S. Air Force “7.62 mm” chambered “Premium Grade” M1 Garand match rifle!
Provenance: The Billy Pyle Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 355
Scarce U.S. World War II L. C. Smith/Hunter Arms Co. Field Grade Double
Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. FW199986, 12 gauge, 28 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly, the U.S. government Rochester Ordnance District
purchased 1,506 of these U.S. marked L. C. Smith Field Grades between May 9, 1942 and April
9,1943 for the purpose of training aerial gunners during World War II, per page 113 of “Combat Shotguns” (2007)
by Bruce Canfield. Blued Armor steel barrels with single brass bead front sight, standard barrel marking on the top sides,
and 2 3/4 inch chambers with single extractor. The bottom flats are marked with an “FJA” (Frank J. Atwood) inspector’s mark, a
U.S. Ordnance flaming bomb, and crossed cannons with “USA-F” on either barrel just ahead of the flats. “ILL 6120” stamped on right
side of frame. Standard casehardened receiver and locks, double triggers, and
automatic tang safety. Multi-point checkered splinter forend and pistol grip stock
with hard rubber buttplate. Stock dimensions: 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 5/8 inch
drop at heel; 14 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 1 oz.
CONDITION: Fine as arsenal refurbished, retaining 90% blue and 70% plus case colors, re-solder evidence on the underside of the barrel
rib, and mild handling evidence. The wood is also fine with numerous small dings and scratches and lightly worn but well-defined
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000