Page 170 - 85-Book3

"Only two of the Type No. 2 rifles and one of the Type No. 1 rifles are known by this writer to exist." -author Lt. Col. William S. Brophy
SIMILAR EXAMPLE PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE SPRINGFIELD 1903 RIFLES BY BROPHY
LOT 3287
Extremely Rare, Only Known, Winchester Type I Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Action and Initials “WHR” Underneath the Buttplate Attributed to Wimbledon Cup Record Holder Captain W. H. Richards - Serial no. 1094245, 30-06 Springfield cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This incredibly rare rifle was manufactured by Winchester in 1922 using a standard serialized U.S. Springfield Model 1903 action (dates to 1919) fitted with a 26 inch tapered heavy barrel wearing a dovetail mounted Winchester windage
NOTICE THE INITALS OF WHR
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adjustable globe front sight, Lyman 48 peep sight on the rear of the receiver, and scope blocks mounted on top of the barrel. This short
lived rifle serves as a precursor to the Winchester Model 54 introduced shortly after. Pages 249-252 of the book “The Springfield 1903 Rifles” by Lt. Col. William S. Brophy describes these rare Winchester “Sniper” rifles, in which the highly respected author states, “Only two of the Type No. 2 rifles and one of the Type No. 1 rifles are known by this writer to exist.” Page 250 of the aforementioned book shows a 1922 dated Winchester advertisement titled “A New Sniper’s Rifle” (scanned copy included) depicting a Type No. 1 and Type No. 2 in which it states, “The following specifications are common to both types: Winchester 26-inch nickel steel barrel made to Government standard in groove and bore measurements and with Winchester quality finish. Diameter at receiver end 1 1/8
inch, diameter at muzzle end 7/8 inch. Springfield action. Thoroughly tested for accuracy. Service stock with fitted pistol grip. Plain service
rifle trimmings. Barrel based for Winchester A-5 telescope sight.” There
is also another similar depiction of the two types of rifles shown out of an August 15th, 1922 dated publication of “The Rifleman’s Magazine” (scanned copy included) on page 251 of Brophy’s book, as well as period photographs of competitors in the Wimbledon Cup that won as part of an American team; the book states, “A 1,000 yard record was also shot using Winchester ‘Sniper’ rifles by the K.M.A. [Kernal Mumma’s Amatures] team of W. H. Richards, G. H. Emerson, C. Van Ambough, Colonel M. C. Mumma, Midshipman H., C. Muma, Jr., D Patussner, and G. L. Watkins. Their score was 592 out of 600. The rifles were equipped with Winchester A5 telescopes.” The heavy Winchester barrel is marked on the bottom
of the breech with “MNS” (Midvale Nickel Steel), “VP” (Violent Proof )
in an oval, “178467”, “1” in a triangle, and “22” (year of manufacture). One of the existing Winchester Type II sniper rifles is known to have
the same markings and number “178478” (close to this rifle offered) marked underneath its barrel. The receiver has the standard Springfield
Model 1903 markings. “MM” and various
single letters marked on the underside of
the receiver. Mounted in a standard U.S.
Springfield Model 1903 walnut stock hand
modified at Winchester with a shortened
forend, added pistol grip and a Schuetzen
style steel buttplate mounted with a single
screw on top of the standard Springfield
checkered steel buttplate. Initials “WHR”
stamped on the underside of the Schuetzen
style buttplate, very likely the initials of
Captain W. H. Richards of the American
team that competed at the Wimbledon
Cup! In the included scanned copy of the
August 15th, 1922 dated publication of “The
Rifleman’s Magazine” it states about the
1922 Wimbledon Cup, “...Cap Richard, had his
heavy barrel sniper rifle, glass sighted, and a
supply of windjamming ball cartridges...” and
a picture of the K.M.A. team holding a sign
with their world record scores is shown in
which Captain W. H. Richards, with a perfect
score of 75, can be seen holding what is very likely this exact rifle with
a Winchester A5 scope affixed. Two old copies of 1903 and 1904 dated newspaper articles were located, also included with the rifle, in which
it shows that Captain W. H. Richards of Bloomingdale, Ohio captured
the Wimbledon Cup in 1903, indicating he was a long time veteran competition shooter by the time he would have likely used this rifle. Sling swivels mounted on the front barrel band and underneath the buttstock. Winchester applied commercial blue finish on the barrel, receiver, bolt, trigger guard and floorplate. Includes an appraisal sheet.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 80% Winchester applied high polish blue finish with some light wear at the muzzle, some loss on top of the breech end of the barrel, a few scattered areas of smooth brown patina, and sharp markings in the metal. Stock is also very fine as period Winchester modified with a shortened forend and added pistol grip, with some light handling marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This extremely rare Winchester Type I Sniper rifle with a Springfield action, the only known surviving example, would make an excellent addition to any advanced Competition Shooting, Model 1903 or Winchester arms collection! Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500