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LOT 3360
Rare and Highly Desirable U.S.
Springfield Model 1903A1 Sniper Rifle with 8x Unertl U.S.M.C. Sniper Scope and
Scope Case - Serial no. 1509395, 30-06 Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut
stock. Offered here is an exceptional, highly desirable and rare U.S. Springfield Model 1903A1 sniper rifle
with U.S.M.C. contract 8-power Unertl telescopic sight scope and accompanying micarta scope case, and proper features
a collector would want to see in a U.S. Marine Corps built and issued example. The serial number dates to c. late 1938 or early 1939, with
a proper “SA/(flaming bomb)/3-39” marked barrel. In late 1942, the U.S. Marine Corps started receiving these U.S.M.C. contract Unertl telescopic sights, and
armorers at the Philadelphia Depot started modifying U.S. Springfield Model 1903 rifles as purpose built sniper rifles for issue with these scopes, designated as the Model 1903A1 sniper
rifle by the U.S.M.C. The rifle has a dark, gray-green parkerized finish, with “NS” marked parkerized bolt that has been polished (possibly in the field) with a blued cocking knob assembly, a walnut pistol grip “C” stock with the
matching serial number to the rifle “1509395” stamped on the bottom of the buttstock, with a checkered buttplate and proper modified handguard. The top of the handguard has been milled to accommodate the telescopic sight
and a rectangular cut has been made in the handguard for the front scope mounting block. The milling is well executed and the scope mount cut-out has perfect edges. The rear scope block is mounted on top of the receiver ring,
properly butted up against the rear sight, with Springfield manufacturer and 1903 model markings on the receiver concealed by the scope block, with only the serial number “1509395” visible. The concealed bottom of the barrel
is stamped with a “P” proof mark and the steel lot code “B1B”, with proper vise marks typically found on U.S.M.C. Model 1903A1 sniper rifles. The World War II rear sight has a polished face. The handguard is World War II Remington
production with small oval windage knob clearance cut on the right side. The bottom of the pistol grip is stamped with a large “3” rack number. An encircled, serifed, “P” proof mark is stamped just behind the trigger guard finial.
Five small sub-inspection marks (probably applied by Remington) are stamped on the underside of the stock in front of the floor plate finial. The stock has no Ordnance final inspection marks but a small “S” sub-inspection mark in
the cut-off relief cut. The telescopic sight has a blue tube and black Unertl anodized aluminum target mounts. The telescopic sight tube is stamped “J. UNERTL/USMC-SNIPER/2006” in three lines. The scope has fine wire cross-hairs
and steel lens covers. These U.S.M.C. 8-power Unertl telescopic sights were manufactured especially for the Model 1903A1 sniper rifles. The telescopic sights were used during World War II and the Korean War on these U.S.M.C.
Model 1903A1 sniper rifles and were re-issued with Model 70 Winchester sniper rifles during the early years of the Vietnam War. The rifle is fitted with a World War II “BOYT/42” marked M1907 russet leather sling. Included with the
rifle is a U.S.M.C. micarta scope can for the Unertl telescopic sight. The can is painted olive drab green and has a web belt/pack hook and cap retaining strap. These special Unertl scope cans had a low survival rate are very scarce in
any condition.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% plus original parkerized finish, bright polished bolt, with sharp markings. Stock is also excellent, with defined edges, minimal handling marks, and crisp stampings. Mechanically excellent. Scope is
also excellent, retains 90% plus original blue finish, with a few patches of light spotting/oxidation, and crisp clear optics. Scope can is very fine with light retraction mark on top and scattered light pitting on front cone. This rare U.S.
Marine Corps Springfield Model 1903A1 sniper rifle would make an outstanding addition to even the most advanced U.S. military collection!
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3361
Desirable World War II
U.S. Johnson Automatics Mfg.
Co. Model 1941 Semi-Automatic
Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. B5167, 30-06 Springfield cal., 22 inch
round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock.
Approximately 21,400 Johnson Model
1941 semi-automatic rifles were manufactured c. 1940-1945, per
“Johnson’s Rifles and Machine Guns” by Bruce Canfield. Originally up for consideration by the Netherlands Purchasing Commission as a
service weapon for colonial troops in the Dutch East Indies, a large order for the Johnson Rifle was placed in 1940, but the Japanese invasion of the East Indies prevented delivery. These rifles were not able to gain
interest for adoption by the U.S. Army, who favored the M1 Garand, but a limited amount of them were effectively used by the U.S.M.C. Marine Raider and Parachute Battalions in the early Makin Island, Guadalcanal and Tulagi Island
hopping campaigns in the Pacific. Approximately 750 were reportedly procured by the U.S. Marine Corps. Designed by noted figure Melvin Johnson, these rifles employed several unique features such as the internal 10-round rotary
magazine which allows reloading at any time using standard issue Model 1903 rifle pattern stripper clips, and easily removable barrel for takedown, which allows the rifle to be stowed in a parachute jump bag, making these rifles
highly favored by the Marines who were issued them. It functions in semi-automatic with a short-recoiling barrel and rotating bolt with eight-lug locking face. Features a winged blade front sight and range adjustable rear sight
(marked “M2” and graduated from 100 to 1000 meters), triangle enclosed “CRANSTON/ARMS/CO.” and five-pointed Dutch star stamp as commonly seen on Johnson rifles on the right rear of the receiver, four-line “CAL. 30-’06 SEMI-
AUTO./”JOHNSON AUTOMATICS”/MODEL OF 1941/MADE IN PROVIDENCE, R.I., U.S.A.” partially stamped off-center factory markings above the serial number on top
of the receiver, and five-line U.S. and foreign patent dates roll-marked to the rear. The bolt is marked with a non-matching “B9057” serial number (it was standard
for numbered components on Johnson rifles to not match), and the barrel and extension are marked “9168K” on the underside. “J.A./.30-06” and a small circled
sword proof on bottom of the barrel. Fitted with a smooth oiled walnut forend and buttstock with checkered steel buttplate. Includes a spike bayonet marked with
numbers “74” and “2544”, leather scabbard, and a “MRT/JAN.1953” marked green canvas sling.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 97% original parkerized finish with some minor freckling. Wood is fine, with light handling marks and nicks, some glued
cracks, and well-defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Bayonet and scabbard are very good.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000