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LOT 3298
Desirable U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle in
1942 U.S.M.C. Sniper Configuration with 8x Unertl U.S.M.C. Sniper
Scope and Scope Case - Serial no. 1496729, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl.,
parkerized finish, walnut stock. This is a very fine example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rifle that has
been subsequently arsenal overhauled into the 1942 U.S.M.C. sniper configuration, with a pair of scope blocks mounted on
the barrel and receiver, the latter butting up to the rear sight and the former extruding through the opening in the specially prepared upper handguard. Unertl equipped Model 1903 U.S.M.C. sniper
rifles are considered by many to be the deadliest snipers of World War II, with successful use in the Pacific campaign by Marines and confirmed kills out to over 1,000 yards. The barrel, without star gauge marking, is dated “U.S.M.C./7-41/(S)” with the correct style vise marks known to have been performed by Marine armorers (requires handguard removal for viewing), with a correct “NS” marked blued bolt that has been electro-pencil numbered to match the receiver and a Rockwell hardness punch mark on the underside of the bolt handle. Blade front and ladder rear sight with bright face graduated to 2,700 yards with the 2,850 yard notch. Serrated trigger. Smooth pistol grip stock with a circled “P” proof, boxed “S.A./S.P.G.” inspection cartouche marked on the left of the wrist, “1496206” (close to the serial number of this rifle) and the drawing number marked underneath the buttstock, and a checkered buttplate. The J. Unertl 8x scope is “USMC-SNIPER” marked, with a serial number of “1018”, threaded steel lens caps and aluminum rings. Includes an M1907 leather sling.
CONDITION: Very fine as arsenal upgraded to current configuration, retains 95% parkerized finish with some light handling marks, 85% arsenal applied blue finish on the bolt with some cycling wear. Stock is excellent with attractive raised grains and rich oil finish, a few moderate scratches on the left of the forend, a few minor small chips on the edge of the pistol grip, some light handling marks, defined edges, and a clear cartouche. Scope is excellent, retains 97% original blue finish on the tube with a few small patches of very light surface freckling, and crisp optics. Mechanically excellent. This very fine example of a Model 1903 U.S.M.C. sniper rifle would make a fine addition to any U.S. Military or World War II collection!
Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection.
Estimate: 13,000 - 19,000
LOT 3299
Outstanding Korean War Era U.S. Springfield M1C/1952 MC-1 Garand Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle with
U.S.M.C. Contract MC-1 Kollmorgen Sniper Scope in Griffin & Howe Mount - Serial no. 3487586, 30-06 Springfield
cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. This is a desirable example of a World War II M1C Garand sniper rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory in June of 1945,
subsequently reconfigured into a U.S.M.C. MC-1 type sniper rifle. During World War II (late 1944-mid 1945) approximately 4,000 M1C sniper rifles were manufactured by Springfield Armory, and
most were refurbished at the start of the Korean War. Hundreds were transferred to NATO allies in the 1960s and hundreds more destroyed in the 1980/90s. Following the Korean War, the Marine Corps
adopted the new/improved Stith Kollmorgen MC-1 4X telescopic sight with the larger Griffin & Howe mount adapted for use on the M1C sniper rifle. The Marines designated these rifles as the “1952 Sniper
Rifle” and issued them in limited numbers from 1954 through 1967. Blade and peep sights, “DRC” windage knob, “SA”“3 53” barrel, and “SA” bolt, trigger housing, hammer, safety, and relief cut operating rod. “SA-52” rebuild mark
on the receiver heel. The receiver has been drilled and tapped for the Griffin & Howe pattern post and screw arrangement affixed with the unmarked Griffin & Howe scope mount. The ring base bears the Griffin & Howe address
on top, “T4” is stamped on the back of each ring half, and the scope is marked “MC387-P” on the tube to denote it as being part of the original first U.S.M.C. contract for these scopes, and “4X DOUBLE STITH MOUNTS S.A. TEX./ KOLLMORGEN OPTICAL CORP. BROOKLYN. N.Y. PAT. PEND.” around the objective. The scope is fitted with windage and elevation knobs and the standard fine cross-hair reticle. Glass bedded bottom trigger guard area of the stock, with the upper receiver bedding filled in with wood. Circled “P” proof marked on the bottom of the stock wrist, “DoD Eagle” cartouche on the left of the wrist, with a checkered steel buttplate. Includes an “MRT/JUNE 1952” olive drab green canvas sling, “MRT/1 52” leather cheek pad, cleaning kit, and reproduction “XM-2” marked cone flash hider.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as Springfield Armory converted to M1-C sniper configuration, retains 97% arsenal refurbished parkerized finish with a patch of pitting underneath the finish concentrated on the right of the operating rod. Stock is very fine with defined edges, some scattered light scratches, moderate finish loss around the buttstock from rubbing of the leather cheek pad, a small chip on the edge of the pistol grip, and a nice cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Scope is fine with some scattered light scratches on the tube, and clear optics.
Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection.
174 Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000