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LOT 341
Excellent and Rare Smith & Wesson Mark I Semi- Automatic Light Rifle with Sling - Serial no. 883, 9 mm cal., 9 3/4 inch fluted bbl., blue finish, synthetic stock. Developed at the tail end of the 1930s and early 1940s upon request from the British
government, the Smith & Wesson Light Rifle was a contender for military contracts with both the British and the Americans and
squared off against the M1 Carbine as a pistol substitute for officers and support personnel. While it had some novel features, such as the dual-purpose magazine well/ejector port, it failed at trials. Large numbers of the Light Rifles were destroyed, both during testing and afterwards, including a reported incident of the British cutting their Light Rifle samples up with a blowtorch and tossing the resulting scrap into the English Channel. According to Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks, a number of crated, unfired Model 1940 Light Rifles were found by Smith & Wesson in 1974 and subsequently sold as collector’s items. The information on page 240 of “The History of Smith & Wesson” by Jinks lists 137 Mark I rifles and 80 Mark II rifles in this found grouping. Fixed blade front and adjustable notch rear sight. The wide magazine housing serves a dual purpose; the front section holds the magazine, and the rear portion is the ejection port, so the fired cartridges are ejected directly to the ground instead of into the air. The action operates from an open bolt, with the cocking hook on the right side above the patent markings, and right side mounted rotary safety. The left side of the action is marked with the two-line Smith & Wesson address. The pistol grip stock is made of a black plastic/composite material and is fitted with a serrated metal buttplate that is marked with the serial number. Includes a brown leather sling. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus original blue finish with some light thinning on the middle section of the frame, some high edge wear, scattered light spotting and sharp markings and edges in the metal. The stock is also excellent with a patch of mild scuffing visible on the left side, and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 342
Excellent World War II U.S. Stevens Model 620 Slide Action Trench Shotgun - Serial no. 26858, 12 gauge, 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured on contract, the Stevens Model 620 was a refinement of the Model 520. A solid frame hammerless shotgun, the 620 was capable of being taken down for transport as well as having slam fire capability, making it both easy to move about as well as a vicious source of firepower. Adopted for the Army and Marine Corps for World War II, the 620 remained in service for Korea and Vietnam. A single brass bead sight is installed on the bayonet lug, with a six- hole heat shield, cylinder choke, the three-line Chicopee Falls address on the right side of the barrel ahead of “P” above flaming bomb stamps, with the gauge and 2 3/4 inch chamber markings on the left. The “P” and flaming bomb are repeated on the left of the receiver, with “MODEL 620” and “U.S.” further to the back, and the serial number and “U/S” on the underside ahead of the trigger guard. Fitted with a smooth round forearm, pistol grip stock and serrated plastic buttplate. 14 inch length of pull. Includes a M1907 brown leather sling. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish showing a proper plum patina on the bayonet lug, some moderate cycling wear, a few light scratches, and sharp markings in the metal. The wood is very fine with some light handling marks and dents, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. This Stevens Model 620 trench shotgun would make a fine addition to any U.S. military firearms collection! Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 343 Excellent World War II U.S. IBM M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine - Serial no. 3885719, 30 Carbine cal., 18 inch round bbl., parkerized/blue finish, walnut stock. Undated IBM barrel, “N” marked blade front sight, “FO B” and “S” marked two position flip-up rear sight, “AOB” round blued bolt, “AOB” operating rod, “BE-B” stamped and brazed trigger housing, “AM B” hammer, unmarked push button safety, and “EP B” magazine catch. Low wood pistol grip stock with “JL B” stamped in the sling inlet, crossed cannons ordnance cartouche stamped on the right of the buttstock, and “JL B” two-rivet handguard. Includes an olive drab green canvas web sling and oiler. Absent magazine. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus original parkerized finish with some scattered very light surface freckling on the barrel, light cycling wear, and sharp markings and edges in the
metal. 98% original blue finish remains on the bolt. Stock is also excellent with distinct edges, a few scattered light nicks and scratches, and exceptionally crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 344
U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle - Serial no. 1275178, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. Features a “SA/flaming bomb/11-26” marked barrel, fixed blade front and adjustable ladder rear sight with bright polished face, and no volley notch at the top of the ladder. Standard markings on the receiver ring, “J O” marked bolt handle, and serrated trigger. Fitted with straight grip “S” type stock with milled barrel bands, “H” marked bayonet lug, “W” sub-inspection mark in the cutoff recess, boxed “D.A.L.” inspection cartouche on left side of the wrist, “K” inspection mark on the under side of the wrist, circled “P” proof, and checkered trapdoor buttplate. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 97% plus of the arsenal parkerized finish with minor handling marks and scattered spotting. The reoiled stock is fine, showing signs of sanding with enhanced cartouches and moderate handling marks. The handguard has a hairline crack at the nose. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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Collector’s Fact
According to Smith & Wesson Historian Roy Jinks, only 137 Smith & Wesson Mark I Light Rifles still exist.