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LOT 1487
Fine Pre-World War I U.S.
Springfield Model 1903
Bolt Action N.R.A. Sales Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 620699,
30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This
is a desirable example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 N.R.A. sales rifle. This rifle
is marked with the distinctive Ordnance shell and flame insignia over “N.R.A.” underneath the front of the trigger guard
assembly to differentiate it from the standard issued service rifles. These N.R.A. marked rifles were available only to N.R.A.
members prior to U.S. entry into World War I. 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 intended for National Match shooting prior to World War I. The receiver is roll marked with
the five-line, standard Springfield Armory markings, and the top of the barrel is stamped “S.A.” above the Ordnance shell and flame insignia and the date “1-16”. 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. It is fitted with a walnut “S” style
stock that has a single reinforcing bolt, high hump handguard with proper rear sight clearance cut and spring clips, and checkered steel buttplate with compartment. The rifle has a serrated trigger, dished windage and elevation knobs, and rear sight leaf with the 2,850 yard notch. “H” marked on the bayonet lug, “I 8” marked on the right of the rear bolt lug, the left stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection initials “J.S.A.” in a rectangle, a small “D” and an “F” in the cutoff recess, and a small “13” above a circled script “P” firing proof stamped behind the trigger guard. Includes a “1916” dated Springfield M1905 bayonet, tan canvas scabbard, “1918” dated M1907 leather sling, and oiler inside the butt compartment. The serial number of this rifle is consecutively numbered to next lot.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 75% original blue and oil-quenched finish with some scattered patches of light pitting/corrosion and light freckling, and otherwise sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is excellent with crisp grasping grooves, defined edges, a few light handling marks, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and scabbard are both very good. As a consecutively serial numbered rifle to next lot, this is a rare opportunity to acquire the pair of these desirable N.R.A. sales rifles.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
Consecutively Serial Numbered U.S. Springfield 1903 N.R.A. Sales Rifles
LOT 1488
Excellent Pre-World War I U.S. Springfield
Model 1903 Bolt Action N.R.A. Sales Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no.
620700, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is
an excellent example of a very desirable U.S. Springfield Model 1903 N.R.A. sales rifle. This
rifle is marked with the distinctive Ordnance shell and flame insignia over “N.R.A.” underneath the front of the trigger guard
assembly to differentiate it from the standard issued service rifles. These N.R.A. marked rifles were available only to N.R.A. members
prior to U.S. entry into World War I. 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 intended for National Match shooting prior to World War I. The receiver is roll marked with the five-
line, standard Springfield Armory markings, and the top of the barrel is stamped “S.A.” above the Ordnance shell and flame insignia and the date “1-16”. 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. It is fitted with a walnut “S” style stock that has a single reinforcing
bolt, high hump handguard with proper rear sight clearance cut and spring clips, and checkered steel buttplate with compartment. The rifle has a serrated trigger, dished windage and elevation knob, and rear sight leaf with the 2,850 yard notch. “H” marked on the bayonet lug, “I 8” marked on the right of the rear bolt lug, the left stock wrist is stamped with the Ordnance final inspection initials “J.S.A.” in a rectangle, a small “D” and an “F” in the cutoff recess, and a small “13” above a circled script “P” firing proof stamped behind the trigger guard. Includes a “1916” dated Springfield M1905 bayonet, tan canvas scabbard, “1917” dated Rock Island Arsenal M1907 leather sling, and oiler inside the butt compartment. The serial number of this rifle is consecutively numbered to the previous lot.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% original blue and oil-quenched finish with a few areas turned to a smooth brown patina, and otherwise sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. Stock is also excellent with crisp grasping grooves, distinct edges, a patch of moderate dings concentrated underneath the forend ahead of the rear barrel band, a few scattered scratches and handling marks, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is excellent, scabbard is fine. As an excellent example consecutively serial numbered rifle to previous lot, this is a rare opportunity to acquire the pair of these desirable N.R.A. sales rifles.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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