Page 357 - 4095-BOOK1

355
LOT 385
Exceptional and Historic
U.S.M.C. Issued Early Production U.S.
Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle
Documented to the U.S. Consulate in China During
the Nanking Incident of 1927, with Archival
Research Group Letter - Serial no. 164741, 30-06 Springfield
cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
The receiver of this early production rifle was manufactured c. 1906, with a February 1907 dated barrel. This is
a very desirable example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rifle, documented as formerly in the custody of the
U.S. Consulate of Chungking in China during the Nanking Incident of 1927, and relocated to Shanghai, where the U.S.
Marine Corps was stationed. It is uncommon to encounter exceptional early production Springfield M1903 rifles such as this one, let alone a documented one. An
included letter accompanying this rifle, supplied by Andrew Stolinski, Chief Researcher of Archival Research Group, states, “I am attaching copies of the original
documentation housed at the National Archives relating to Springfield Rifle Model of 1903, serial number 164,741. Your rifle is in a report filed by Assistant
Secretary Nelson T. Johnson of the State Department addressed to the Secretary of War Dwight F. Davis. Johnson informed Davis of the ordnance material
formerly in the custody of the American Consulates of Changsha and Chungking, which was closed. This is likely the result of the Nanking Incident of 1927
[March 21-27, 1927], where troops under the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) and local citizens began looting and attacking foreign interest buildings in the
area, primarily British and American. The State Department likely closed these consulates for safety reasons and did not want army ordnance property to fall into
the custody of the local population. Your rifle, serial number 164,741, was taken aboard the U.S.S. Monocacy, a navy shallow draft gunboat, to the port at Hankow
and transferred to another navy gunboat, the U.S.S. Elcano, for further transport to Shanghai. This report serves as a transfer of custody for the State Department,
informing the War Department of where the ordnance property was shipped after being removed from the closed consulates.” The U.S. Marine Corps had a
strong presence with a number of troops stationed in China before and after the time period this rifle is documented as having been there in 1927, in which they
were running security for the U.S. Consulates. The “China Marines” were reportedly stationed in Shanghai throughout the latter half of the 1920s and continuing
right up to 1941 around the time of Pearl Harbor. With the onset of civil unrest and the nationalistic Kuomintang marching on Shanghai, the U.S. decided to send
in troops to protect American citizens and interests. On January 28, 1927, the 4th Regiment of the U.S. Marine Corps was ordered to Shanghai, China, with their
mission being to protect the lives, property and commerce of American citizens in the International Settlement in Shanghai, where this rifle ended up being
delivered to sometime between April and May of 1927. If this rifle could talk, it would certainly have stories to tell. “SA/(flaming bomb)/2-07” marked barrel. The
top of the receiver ring is roll marked in five lines with “U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903./164741”. Hooded blade front sight and ladder rear sight with
a 2,850 yard center volley notch, correct bright top surface, and windage and elevation knobs with dished faces. The early pattern oil-finished, black walnut,
“S” type stock has grasping grooves and without provisions for reinforcing bolts, with an “S” stamped on the front tip of the forend, boxed “G.R.G.” inspection
cartouche stamped on the left of the wrist, small letters “L” above “o” inside the cut-off recess, small number “30” ahead of an encircled serif “P” proof stamp on
bottom behind the trigger guard, and an early pattern “high hump” handguard without the sight clearance cut, and smooth steel buttplate with compartment.
“C 0” marked on the right of the rear bolt lug. The rifle has an oil quenched casehardened receiver and all blued milled components that include the barrel bands, bolt, trigger guard, and floorplate. The safety and cut-off lever are
casehardened. Includes a “1904” dated Rock Island Arsenal brown leather sling, and a nickel oiler inside the butt compartment.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 60% original blue finish, 80% original oil-quenched casehardened finish on the receiver, patterns of original case colors showing on the safety lever and cut-off, with smooth gray and brown
patina on the balance, a few patches of light pitting, mostly bright top surface on the rear sight, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is very fine, with attractive grain and rich oil finish, a few light dents and
handling marks, absolutely distinct edges overall, and an extremely crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. As a strongly documented and exceptional M1903 rifle that was present at the U.S. Consulate in China during the Nanking
Incident of 1927, this is a historic rifle worthy of any fine military arms collection!
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 386
U.S. Harrington & Richardson
Arms Co. M1 Garand Semi-
Automatic Rifle - Serial no. 4665159, 30-06 Springfield
cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Receiver from 1953 production. Features a fixed winged blade
front sight on the wide base gas cylinder with “high hump” gas cylinder lock, an adjustable T105 rear sight assembly with “DRC” marked windage
knob, “HRA” marked cross slot lock screw, “HRA” marked and “4-53” dated barrel with bright chamber ring, replacement relief-cut WWII era “3 SA” operating rod,
“HRA/U” bolt, along with a “HRA” marked trigger housing with a replacement WWII era “9 SA” hammer and a “HRA” marked safety. Fitted with a pair of walnut handguard and a
walnut stock with a boxed “DoD eagle” acceptance stamp on the left of the wrist and a circled “P” firing proof under the grip.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 90% original parkerized finish overall with light cycling wear, and scattered minor handling marks. The wood is very fine as re-oiled with scattered
minor compression marks and scuffs, along with crisp stamps. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Allan Cors Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500