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LOT 3348
Rare Pre-Production “Pilot” Batch Smith-Corona Model 03-A3
Bolt Action Rifle, Serial Number “3” - Serial no. 3, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch
round bbl., parkerized/blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. October 1942, one of 20 “pilot” batch pre-
mass production Model 03-A3 bolt action rifles produced by the L. C. Smith & Corona Typewriter Co. of Syracuse, New York, before
mass production commenced in November. The firm was initially awarded a production contract by U.S. ordnance on February 25, 1942, for the
production of 100,000 standard Model 1903 rifles, stepping in after High Standard Mfg. Co. made it known that it only had the capacity for producing
the barrels, with the contract modified in May 1942 for the production of the Model 03-A3 and the total increased to 380,000. Features fixed blade front and adjustable
peep rear sights, a barrel without the typical manufacturer or date markings, and the receiver ring left blank except for the number “3”. Includes a M1 pattern web sling.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 75% plus original parkerized and 60% plus original blue finishes with the balance smooth grey and brown patinas, mild cycling wear, some light edge wear, and some minor freckling. The stock is fine
as restored with filler and a few minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 3347
Excellent World War II First Production Block U.S. Winchester M1
Semi-Automatic Carbine - Serial no. 1109790, 30 Carbine cal., 18 inch
round bbl., parkerized/blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1943
as a part of the first production block from Winchester Repeating Arms
Co. (serial number range from 1,000,000 to 1,349,999) produced from
October 1942 to December 1943, with this example produced after February
1943 (when Winchester stopped adding dates to barrels). Features winged
blade front and “S” marked dual flip peep rear sights, undated Winchester “W”
marked and circled “WP” proofed barrel with bright chamber, type I barrel band
with two weld scars, “W” blued flat top bolt, “W” type I operating rod, along with a “W” marked milled trigger
housing with a checkered type I push-button safety, “W” type III magazine release, “W” sear, and “W” type II dog-leg hammer. Fitted with an unmarked Winchester profile
two-rivet deep groove walnut handguard, a high-wood walnut stock (with “W” recoil plate) marked with “W.R.A./G.H.D.” (Col. Guy H. Drewry) inspection and “ordnance
wheel” acceptance stamps on the right of the buttstock, and a “BW” marked blued magazine. Includes tan web sling, metal oiler, and web soft case.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 95% plus original parkerized and 90% plus original blue finishes with slight cycling wear, minor handling marks, along with clear
markings, crisp stamps, and attractive original raised wood grain. Mechanically excellent. Overall an exceptional example of a World War II U.S. Winchester M1 Carbine
from the first production block!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3346
Excellent World War II U.S. Winchester
M1 Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle with Data Sheet - Serial
no. 2459481, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized/Du-Lite
finish, walnut stock. Receiver manufactured in July 1944. Features a Winchester profile winged
blade front sight and type 2 “lock-bar” adjustable peep rear sight assembly with staked pinion, unmarked
Winchester pattern wide-base gas cylinder and chamfered lock, both correctly finished in Du-Lite black oxide (blue in color),
single slot lock screw, arched lower band with staked solid retaining pin, circled “W/P” Winchester proofed and “6” marked barrel with correctly parkerized
chamber ring, “-1W.R.A.” bolt, unmodified “W.R.A.” operating rod, short fork follower rod, early “top hat” profile follower, blued pins, and a “-W.R.A.” trigger
housing with “-1W.R.A.” hammer, “WRA-1” safety, and “W.R.A.” milled trigger guard. Fitted with a set of walnut handguards and a correct profile walnut stock with a boxed “WRA/GHD” (Winchester
Repeating Arms, Col. Guy H. Drewry) inspection cartouche and “ordnance wheel” acceptance stamp on the left of the wrist, and a circled serif “P” firing proof on the grip. Includes a M1 pattern web
sling and matching consignor provided data sheet which confirms the rifle’s configuration, dated February 17, 1979, with the added detail of a throat erosion measurement of “2”.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original parkerized and 98% plus original Du-Lite finishes with minor cycling wear, some silvering on the buttplate, dried grease in protected regions,
and clear receiver heel markings. The stock is also excellent with some light compression marks, crisp stamps, and attractive wood grain. Overall a very attractive example of a 1944 production U.S.
Winchester M1 Garand rifle!
Provenance: The Billy Pyle Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000