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LOT 3314
Exceptional 1913 Dated U.S. Rock Island Arsenal Model 1903 Bolt Action N.R.A. Sales Rifle - Serial no. 236360, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This all original, unaltered, Rock Island Arsenal manufacture Model 1903 bolt action N.R.A sales rifle was manufactured in 1913. The N.R.A. sales program started in late 1912-1915 and was available only to N.R.A. members. Very few N.R.A. marked 1903 Rock Island Arsenal rifles are seen as RIA stopped all rifle production in 1913, making their availability very limited. All N.R.A. sales rifles were brand new (never rebuilt or altered) and subjected to stringent inspection criteria to include hand selection of the rifle based on the beauty of the wood components for color and uniformity, overall high grade blue finish and Star Gauging of the barrel to ensure land and groove uniformity for the best possible accuracy. These rifles were actually intended for National Match shooting prior to WWI. The receiver has the standard four-line markings over the serial number and the top of the barrel is stamped “R.I.A./Ordnance Shell and Flame/8-13” which corresponds exactly to the receiver manufacture date. The underside of the barrel has the steel lot code of “C88/P”. The barrel is fitted with the correct early musket rear sight with dished windage and elevation knobs and a polished face that is graduated from 100-2,700 yards with a 2,850 yard volley notch, exactly as the later National Match rifles were. It has the standard front sight blade and original front sight cover. It has its original RIA manufactured straight handled bolt with a small gas hole, that is correctly stamped “C13” on the front of the safety lug. The safety and cutoff levers are correctly color-casehardened. The trigger guard is stamped with a flaming bomb over “N.R.A.”. It is fitted with a beautiful straight grip, finger groove “S” pattern walnut stock with a large “S” stamped on the tip. It has one reinforcing bolt and a crisp boxed “C.N./1913” cartouche on the left side, for Conrad Nelson the RIA inspector. There is a small “s” sub-inspector proof behind the trigger guard followed by a crisp script “P” firing
proof. The buttstock is fitted with a finely checkered blued steel buttplate, and includes its original “pull-through” rope and cleaning jag inside the stock. It has the RIA high polish rust blued finish on the various components and the unique Rock Island Arsenal deep oil quenched blackish finish on the receiver, (very different from Springfield models and very fragile). The buttstock and handguard have the hand rubbed linseed oil finish. CONDITION: Excellent with 95% of the original blue finish on the metal components with some minor finish loss on the middle barrel band, front edge of the trigger guard and small area on the bolt body from limited cycling. The receiver displays 98% plus of the original fragile, RIA oil quenched black finish overall with just a hint of flaking on the left side. The markings are clear and sharp. The stock and handguard are both in exceptional, as new condition (except for a very small nick on the left side where the stock line meets the rear sight base) with crisp final acceptance and firing proofs. Mechanically excellent. This is absolutely one of the finest RIA manufactured N.R.A. sales rifles we have seen, fresh to the market from a 40 plus year collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3315
Excellent U.S. Property Marked Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Target Rifle - Serial no. 409596, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/parkerized finish, walnut stock. This pre-64 “U.S. PROPERTY” marked Winchester Model 70 target rifle was manufactured circa 1957. The U.S.M.C. started using the Winchester Model 70 rifles in across the course and international match competition in the late 1940s up through the late 1960s. When we entered Vietnam, they transitioned the Model 70s into a pseudo-sniper role and used it very successfully into the mid-late 1960s until it was replaced/supplemented by the new Remington M40 sniper, which was basically an upgraded model 40X target rifle. These rifles were refitted with WWII Unertl sniper scopes as originally used on the M1903 Springfield National Match rifles, which
had been held in reserve after WWII and Korea. It has its original Winchester target rifle barrel marked with the Winchester factory markings and “-MODEL-70-30-06 SPFLD-”. The left side of the receiver is etched “U.S./PROPERTY”. It is correctly fitted with scope blocks and the included detachable Redfield International front and rear sights. The bolt is still in the white with the matching serial number etched on the underside. The rifle is fitted with the standard Winchester factory target style stock with a checkered steel buttplate. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with a few light scratches and some light thinning on the bolt handle. Stock is also excellent with defined edges, a few light scratches and dings, and rich oil finish. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3316 World War I Production U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle with U.S.M.C. Attributes - Serial no. 641209, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This WWI era 1903 Springfield Armory rifle was manufactured circa February 1917, right at the start of WWI. In both World War I and World War II, when the U.S. Army was rearming or upgrading their assets, they provided many, if not all, of these early M1903 Springfield and Rock Island rifles to the U.S.M.C. as a war expedient stock to help them expand their ranks. This rifle has some distinctive parts coming from both Springfield and Rock Island with some U.S.M.C. attributes. Receiver marked; “U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1903/641209” with the barrel marked “SA/2-17/A” indicating it was returned to the depot for alteration. The serial number range falls into the documented/noted range of numerous World War I issue U.S.M.C. rifles. The barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate have that distinctive blue finish as produced by Rock Island Arsenal, while the barrel, bolt and receiver all have the traditional Springfield Armory finish. The bolt is stamped “I 8” on the underside of the safety lug, which is correct for this period. It has the early all blued pattern rear sight with the early/correct dished windage and elevation knobs. The front sight is fitted with the rare “USMC .10” rear sight leaf along with the equally rare large U.S.M.C. front sight cover with a standard front sight blade. It is fitted with an early, correct one-bolt “S” pattern finger groove stock and high hump handguard with no cartouches. The end of the stock is stamped with a large “S” indicating manufacture at Springfield Armory and it is fitted with the unique pre-World War I smooth buttplate, that has hand-chisel gouge marks added on the face. This was developed in the Word War I time frame by the U.S.M.C. as a way to provide a better gripping surface when shooting. It has also been documented on many World War I and World War II U.S.M.C. rifles that were field modified like this. We removed the buttplate and it has been on this rifle for quite some time adding to its lineage. It has the blued finish on the various metal parts with the oil-quenched receiver. CONDITION: Very fine with 85% of the original blue finish on the various parts as noted above, showing light wear on top of the receiver and edges of the barrel bands. The trigger guard assembly is arsenal refurbished with light pitting visible under the blue. The fingergroove stock and handguard are both very fine showing slight handling marks, with a beautiful matching medium brown color overall. The finger-grooves are original and sharp on the edges. Mechanically excellent. Certainly an interesting and unique rifle in high condition with U.S.M.C. attributes. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3317
Documented CMP U.S. Marked Original Winchester 52C Target Rifle with Sights and Shipping Box - Serial no. 98353C, 22 LR cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is an unaltered Winchester Model 52C target rifle as sold through the CMP Sales program in 2003. Originally manufactured in late 1957 under a U.S. Government contract, that probably remained in Government storage until obtained
and sold by the CMP Program. The 52C rifles have the desirable MICRO-Motion fully adjustable trigger assembly along with the standard heavy weight target barrel (muzzle diameter approx .750-.780). Its fitted with bases for the Redfield Olympic Globe front sight and the late Redfield International Match rear sight, (both sights included and both in like new condition) along with Unertl type factory scope blocks. Standard Winchester factory barrel markings and proofs along with electro-etched, “U.S. PROPERTY” on the left side of the receiver. Has its original matching, serial numbered bolt, along
with original Winchester Marksman walnut target stock. It has the factory installed hand-stop rail and sling swivels on the underside, along with a checkered steel buttplate. Has the rare early small DOD acceptance cartouche on the flat of the pistol grip, which was only used on the early contract rifles. Complete with a Winchester marked five shot magazine, the original CMP cardboard shipping box and documentation letter. The end label notes hand pickup Port Clinton for a Mr. Thomas, presumably the original owner. CONDITION: Excellent with 97% plus of the original blue finish with just a hint of wear on the barrel and bottom of trigger guard. The stock is also excellent with a nice sharp original DOD cartouche, however it does show minor light pressure dents on the sides in some areas most likely from handling in the U.S. Army Depot system. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250 181