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LOT 1345
Rare Documented U.S. Property Marked Winchester Model 70 “Van Orden
Sniper” Bolt Action Rifle with 8x Unertl U.S.M.C. Sniper Scope, U.S.M.C. Unertl
Scope Case, Case, CMP Certificate of Authenticity and Accessories - Serial no. 405044, 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. Rifles such as this one were refitted with World War II Unertl sniper scopes as originally used on the M1903
Springfield National Match rifles, which had been held in reserve after World War II and Korea. 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 heavy marksman
type stock. This rifle is equipped with a J. Unertl U.S. Marine Corps contract 8x scope marked “USMC-SNIPER/2701” on the tube. The rifle shows
standard Winchester barrel and receiver markings, including the factory oval proofs. The front top of the barrel and left rear of the receiver both
have drilled and tapped holes for target sight mounting, there is a painted section on the left of the receiver ring with electro-stenciled “U.S. PROPERTY” marking, and a yellow painted “5” on top of the buttstock. Includes a
CMP Certificate of Authenticity dated January 27th, 2016, olive drab green canvas sling, desirable U.S.M.C. pattern olive drab green micarta scope case for an Unertl scope, green plastic hardcase with U.S.M.C. emblem on the lid, cleaning rod, pouch, and a small green metal box with yellow painted “USMC” stencil letters on the lid and containing various extra small parts.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% plus original blue finish with some light handling marks and a painted area on the left of the receiver ring. Stock is also very fine with numerous scattered scratches and dents, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Scope is excellent, retains 95% original blue finish on the tube with some light wear marks and freckling, and crisp clear optics. Included accessories are all very good. This U.S. marked Winchester Model 70
LOT 1346
U.S. Springfield Model 1903
Bolt Action Rifle with 8x Unertl U.S.M.C.
Contract Sniper Scope - Serial no. 1482172,
30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. This Springfield Model
1903 rifle has been professionally configured in the modern day to resemble a World War II era
U.S.M.C. sniper rifle, and is fitted with a desirable original J. Unertl 8x U.S.M.C. contract scope marked “USMC-SNIPER”
and serial numbered “1770”, with threaded steel lens caps and aluminum rings, mounted to the rifle on a pair of reproduction scope blocks added
to the barrel and receiver. Unertl equipped Model 1903 sniper rifles were known to have seen use with the U.S. Marine Corps, and 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 is marked “SA/flaming bomb/12-36” with no visible
star gauge marking on the muzzle, blade front sight, ladder rear sight with bright face, and an unnumbered bright polished bolt with a Rockwell hardness punch mark on the underside of the bolt
handle. Modern reproduction handguard and unmarked modern reproduction smooth pistol grip stock with a checkered buttplate. Includes a reproduction M1907 leather sling.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% arsenal refinished parkerized finish, 98% refinished blue finish on the rear barrel band, trigger guard housing, floorplate and buttplate with scattered light pitting visible underneath the blue finish. The reproduction replacement stock is very fine with minimal handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The scope is very fine, retains 90% original blue finish on the tube with some pitting concentrated around the rear,
290 and crisp clear optics. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
“Van Orden Sniper” rifle with Unertl U.S.M.C. contract scope would make a fine addition to any military sniper rifle collection!
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000