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LOT 1345
Ultra Rare Documented “1 of 2” U.S.M.C./Iraqi War Issued/Used
Identified E.D.M. Arms Model 96 Windrunner .50 BMG Bolt Action
Sniper Rifle with OPS Inc Class III/NFA Silencer, Scope and Case
-A) E.D.M. Arms Model 96 Windrunner - Serial no. 450, 50 BMG cal., 31
inch round bbl., camouflage paint over parkerizing finish, metal stock.
The E.D.M. Arms Model 96 Windrunner was introduced in 1996. Offered
here is an ultra rare U.S.M.C. documented and issued EDM Windrunner
Model 96 .50 BMG sniper rifle with considerable documentation attesting
to its use in both training (Mountain Scout/Sniper Course) and in Iraq. The
documentation notes this as “1 of 2” actual Windrunner sniper rifles that
were provided to the U.S.M.C. for use in Iraq and currently it is the “ONLY”
one that we know of actually for sale! This specific weapon is accompanied
by a lengthy letter from the U.S. Marine Corps Scout/Sniper Association
attesting to it actual use in Iraq by Scout/Snipers from the 3rd Battalion,
3rd Marine regiment. Part of that testimony is that this sniper rifle was
actually used for single kills in excess of 1,800 meters. The letter further
goes on to state that although the actual number of enemy combatants
killed with this rifle is specifically unknown, it can be stated “with a high
degree of certainty” it is in excess of 40 combined enemy KIA (killed in
action) and WIA (wounded in action). This historic weapon was purchased
from the U.S.M.C. Scout/Sniper Association with all proceeds going to
help buy additional equipment for the Marine Scout/Sniper program.
Originally designed by Bill Ritchie of E.D.M. Arms in the 1990s as a large
caliber long range sniper rifle that could be broken down in less than a
minute into several components and stored in the heavy duty storage/
shipping case for deployments anywhere in the world. The company
ceased operations after Bill Ritchie’s death in November 2016, with over
3,500 M96 rifles manufactured. The side of the receiver is marked “E.D.M.
ARMS/MODEL 96/U.S.A. .50 CAL. B.M.G. WINDRUNNER REDLANDS CA. SER.
#450”. It features a massive one-piece solid steel receiver with a huge bolt
that is fed from a detachable box magazine. It has a 31 inch heavy weight
detachable barrel with a massive four slot muzzle break. The rear of the
action is fitted with a three-position telescoping buttstock for ease during
deployments with a height adjustable cheekpiece and a very thick rubber
buttpad. The front of the receiver is fitted with an M60 style folding bipod
that is adjustable for height, and the underside of the buttstock is fitted
with a height adjustable monopod. The top of the receiver is fitted with
a 20 MOA Picatinny scope rail upon which is mounted with an equally
desirable Nightforce 5.5-22x sniper scope and ring set. The scope has the
TMR style reticle with 2.5 MOA adjustable windage and elevation turrets.
The rifle is also accompanied with its original EDM Arms two piece offset
scope mount. It is also accompanied by an equally rare and beautifully
made original OPS Inc. 3rd Model .50 caliber silencer/suppressor that is
also documented as having been actually tested/used in Iraq. These OPS
Inc. silencers used an OTB type barrel attachment which shortened the
overall length and also provided an additional expansion chamber inside
the rear of the can to allow a somewhat reduced pressure and allowed
the internal gas to dissipate slowly. They are a highly efficient silencer that
feature a very unique, albeit slightly modified SIONICS design and were
probably one of the best silencers used in Iraq and Afghanistan, or even
today. The OPS Inc. silencers were originally designed by Phil Seberger
and produced by Allen Engineering. They were manufactured throughout
the Iraq War, more specifically for use on the Navy/Army MK 12 SPR rifles.
According to accompanying documentation,
this rifle is 1 of only 2 Windrunner Sniper Rifles
provided to the U.S.M.C. for use in Iraq.