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LOT 1365
Exceptional Early Production Three-Digit Serial Number Imperial German
Spandau Arsenal Model 71/84 Mauser Bolt Action Rifle with Ammunition Box - Serial no. 572, 11 mm Mauser cal., 31 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/bright finish,
walnut stock. Dated “1888” on the right of the receiver. An evolution of the single shot Mauser 1871 infantry rifle, the 71/84 integrates an under-barrel tube magazine and represents an
important developmental step towards the Gewehr 98. Features dovetailed blade front and notched three-leaf folding ladder sights, with the barrel marked “(crown)/F.W.”, “(crown)/SPANDAU” and with Gothic
letter military crown proofs on the chamber flats, and the receiver marked “I.G. Mod. 71/84” on the left. Matching visible serial numbers on the barrel and bolt, along with matching “72” partials on some smaller parts.
Fitted with a smooth straight grip stock with Gothic military crown stampings on the butt of the stock. Includes a March 15, 1888 dated 10-round sealed box of “M/71” ammunition. The consignor states this is a presentation
prototype rifle with tiger stripe presentation wood.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus original blue finish, with the bright components retaining their attractive original shiny surfaces, a few small patches of light oxidation, light handling marks, with sharp markings and
edges overall, and attractive grain in the stock. Mechanically excellent. Ammunition box is fine.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,250
LOT 1364
World War II
British BSA
Shirley No. 4 Mk
I (T) Bolt Action
Sniper Rifle with
Scope, Bayonet,
and Transit Case -
Serial no. H38325,
303 British cal., 25 inch round bbl., parkerized/
black finish, walnut stock. Manufactured by B.S.A.
Shirley in 1944. Features winged blade front and Savage Arms pattern “S” marked folding ladder peep rear (battle peep removed) sights, “M47C/1944/H38325/TR” marked on the left
of the receiver socket, “S” marked on the right side of the receiver, “M/47C” marked safety. Matching visible serial numbers on the bolt handle, with traces of a serial number visible on the
bottom of the replacement magazine. Fitted with a smooth walnut front handguard, ribbed walnut rear handguard, “N/74” marked walnut forend with matching serial number stamped on the
underside, and “SL/N/74” walnut buttstock with Holland & Holland “S51” conversion stamp on the underside, screwed on hardwood cheek riser, and a zinc buttplate. Topped off with a No. 32 Mk 3 telescopic sight marked “TEL.STG.
No32. Mk 3./OS.2039A. No20990” on the tube with a standard post-and-cross-hair reticle and thumb screw mount with a non-matching “H38836” serial number stamped on the left side. Includes a green painted hardwood transit
case fitted for the rifle marked “CHEST S.A. No.15. Mk.1./RIFLE No.4 MK 1./(T. LESS TELESCOPE) in white lettering, a green painted B.E.Ltd. No.8 Mark I telescope case with matching scope serial number “H38836” marked on the lid, a
No.7 Mk I bowie bayonet with metal scabbard, a khaki web sling, a M1907 pattern leather sporting sling, a set of leather lens covers, a black plastic oiler, and a brass oiler in the butt trap.
CONDITION: Very fine as factory converted into a No. 4 Mk I (T) sniper rifle, retaining 85% plus arsenal parkerized and black finishes with some light edge wear, light cycling wear, some dried grease, a few minor areas of thinning,
and some scattered minor handling marks. The furniture is also very fine with some minor handling marks, rich oil finish, and clear stampings. Mechanically excellent. The scope is exceptionally fine with minor handling marks, a
mostly crisp reticle, and clear optics. The case is fine with clear stencil, some light chips to the paint on the edges.
Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
LOT 1363
Scarce World War I French Tulle Arsenal RSC Model 1917 Semi-
Automatic Rifle - Serial no. F83577,
8 mm Lebel cal., 31 1/2 inch round
bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is
a very fine original example of an RSC
Model 1917, designed by Ribeyrolles,
Sutter and Chauchat, which was the
first semi-automatic rifle adopted by
France, as formally adopted in May 1916. The
Model 1917 rifles entered into mass production
from April 1917 until the end of World War I in
November 1918. There were approximately 85,000 manufactured
as well as 4,000 of the subsequent Model 1918 carbines. The Model 1917
was widely distributed among French infantrymen in the trenches during 1918, who
found that the gas port required extra attention to cleaning due to powder fouling. The Model 1917 and the
updated Model 1918 were phased out in the mid-20s after seeing service in the Rif War, with the majority being
stripped of their gas hardware and converted to straight-pull repeaters (this example escaped this modification) for issue
to colonial forces, often in North Africa. Additionally, a number found their way into the hands of the German Volksturm as last-ditch weapons during World
War II. Blade front and folding ladder rear sight, with “MA T.1918” (Manufacture d’Armes de Tulle) maker and date markings on the right breech area of the barrel, and “MANUFACTURES NATIONALES” above
“MA T Mle1917” marked on the left of the receiver. The straight wrist buttstock is stamped with the matching serial number to the rifle on the left, a “1918” dated circular stamp on the right, and a flat steel
buttplate. Matching visible serial numbers on the barrel, bolt, bolt carrier, forearm, and buttstock, with a non-matching numbered trigger housing.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% original blue finish with a few areas fading to smooth brown patina, and defined markings in the metal. Wood is fine, with
dings, dents, scratches, and defined stamped markings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500