Page 351 - 88-BOOK2

AS LISTED BY SERIAL NUMBER IN THE BOOK DEATH FROM AFAR, VOL. I BY CHANDLER
LOT 1394
Rare Documented Winchester Model 70 “Van Orden Sniper” Bolt Action Rifle with Lyman Super Targetspot Scope and Scope Case - Serial no. 364705, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Dubbed the “Van Orden Sniper”, this is a rare, highly sought after variation of the Winchester Model 70 rifle. After World War II, retired Marine Corps Colonel George Van Orden opened the Evaluators Ltd. gunshop outside the Quantico Marine base. Van Orden’s shop evaluated and sold equipment to police forces and to the military as well as to civilians all over the world. After the Korean War, the company began selling the special ordered Model 70 rifles in his own favorite configuration, which became known as the “Van Orden Sniper”. 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. Some key features of a “Van Orden Sniper” rifle such as this example, are a clip slotted receiver, 24” medium heavy target barrel chambered in .30-06 with scope blocks, and a smooth non- checkered sporter stock as special ordered from Winchester, whereas others are seen with a heavy marksman type stock. This rifle is equipped with a commercial Lyman Super
Targetspot 20x scope with serial number “7850” on the tube. The rifle shows standard Winchester barrel and receiver markings, including the factory oval proofs. Includes an Al Freeland leather target sling and a Lyman brand wood scope case. This Van Orden sniper rifle is listed by serial number on page 41 of Norman Chandler’s “Death from Afar, Volume 1” as sold to an individual in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey in September of 1956. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with some light wear on the bolt handle, and some minor surface corrosion on the left bottom edge of the receiver. Stock is also excellent, with a few light scratches, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Scope is excellent, retains 95% original blue finish on the tube with a few small patches of surface freckling and 85% black anodized finish on the sunshade with a few light scratches, and clear optics.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1395
Desirable World War II U.S. Stevens Model 520-30 Slide Action Trench Shotgun with Bayonet
- Serial no. 65077, 12 gauge, 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is an exceptional example of a desirable World War II U.S. contract Stevens Model 520-30 trench shotgun with the correct bayonet lug adapter and ventilated six-hole handguard.
A martial variant of a John Browning designed sporting gun, the 520 trench gun was originally developed in response to a World War I request for new fighting shotguns for the American Expeditionary Force. It made a strong impression on the evaluators but did not make it into the field before the armistice was signed. Seeing potential for the gun on the police market, Stevens kept production going until 1932, and at the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. government bought every 520 that was still in the warehouse. Checked back into the arsenals at the end of the war, many were sent back into the field for the Korean War and Vietnam. The right of the barrel has the three-line Stevens company address and the left has the two-line gauge markings. Choke gauges at cylinder. The left of the receiver is stamped “MOD. 520-30” ahead of “U.S.”, and the correct “P” proof above an ordnance bomb on the right of the barrel at the breech and left front edge of the receiver. It has an all blue finish with smooth walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a plastic buttplate. The stock and bayonet lug are correctly fitted with sling swivels. Length of pull is 14 inches. Includes a correct “1917” dated Remington M1917 bayonet marked “L/RCASC/82” on the metal end of the handle, and with an olive drab green leather scabbard with metal ends. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus original blue finish overall showing some light cycling wear, one dent on top of the heat shield, some light handling marks, with sharp edges and markings in the metal overall. Wood is also very fine as refinished with defined edges, some light handling marks, a mild pressure dent on the right front of the forearm, a 1 1/2 inch crack on the right ahead of the buttplate, a small spliced repaired and spliced section at the toe, a small hole in the top of the buttplate, and rich oil finish. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is excellent, scabbard is fine. This excellent example of a World War II U.S. Stevens Model 520-30 trench shotgun would make a fine addition to any U.S. Military arms collection!
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000 349