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LOT 1430
Exceptional U.S. Springfield M1C Garand Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle with M84 Scope - Serial no. 3512410, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. The first semi-automatic sniper rifle adopted by the U.S. Military, the M1C was an effective weapon but intricate in construction; one would need to take a receiver off the line mid-production, ship it to Griffin & Howe of New York for scope rail installation, then return it to Springfield to be made into a complete rifle. While in theory superseded by the more armorer- friendly M1D, the M1C served well as a primary sniper rifle in World War II, Korea and as late as Vietnam. The receiver in this rifle was manufactured
in February of 1945. Blade front and peep rear sights, “S-A-7-51” barrel, “-12SA” bolt, “-12-SA” trigger housing, and a “6 SA” operating rod. The rifle is fitted with a standard blued M84 2.2 power telescopic sight with post and cross-wire cross-hairs, sliding sun shield, rubber eyepiece, and wearing a plate on the right side marked “TELESCOPE/M84/SERIAL NO. 30612”. The scope rail is secured to the side with three screws and two pins, serial numbered to match the rifle on the left, with a Griffin & Howe patent marked ring assembly numbered “3509544”. Boxed “S.A./N.F.R.” and “crossed cannons” cartouches marked on the left of the stock and a “P” proof underneath the wrist. Includes a Hart M2 flash hider, russet leather cheek-piece stamped “MRT/2 52” on the right, oiler and combination tool in butt compartment.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retaining 98% plus arsenal refurbished parkerized finish, showing a few scratches and some light handling marks. Stock is excellent with defined edges, some light handling marks, and crisp stampings. Scope is excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish on the tube with some light freckling, and clear optics with some light debris inside the lenses. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 1431 Desirable World War II U.S. Winchester Model 97 Slide Action Trench Shotgun with Bayonet - Serial no. E930833, 12 gauge, 20 7/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The Winchester 1897 was one of John Browning’s many contributions to American sporting and combat arms, and in both the “trench” and “riot” configurations performed fine service for military and law enforcement users, seeing action as early as 1899 in the Philippines, and earning particular fame in World War I and World War II for it’s potent close range firepower. The Winchester Model 97 Trench Gun was extensively utilized in the Pacific Theater during World War II and remained in the Army and Marine inventory until the 1990s. Single bead sight on the bayonet lug, with a six-hole heat shield over the barrel, which has standard markings, flaming bomb and Winchester proofs on top of the breech, and cylinder choke and 2 3/4 inch chamber markings on the left of the breech. “U.S.” stamped on the left rear side of the receiver, with matching serial numbers on the receiver and barrel iron. Fitted with an 18-groove forearm, smooth pistol grip stock stamped with a boxed “W.B.” above crossed cannons on the left side, and a checkered Winchester buttplate. 13 7/8 inch length of pull. Includes a 1917 dated Winchester M1917 bayonet, olive drab green leather scabbard with two rivet belt retainer, and M1907 leather sling. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original blue finish with some scattered patches of light pitting on the barrel beneath the handguard, a dent in the right rear of the handguard, some scattered light freckling on the receiver, a few small patches of deep pitting visible at the rear of the trigger guard and right rear of the receiver at the buttstock juncture, and sharp markings in the metal. Wood is also very fine with defined edges, some light scratches and handling marks, two small cracks on top behind the receiver, and crisp stamps. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fine with light pitting on the tip of the otherwise sharp blade and some light scratches on the wood panels, scabbard is very good. Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500 313