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LOT 3379
Historic Mexican Punitive Expedition Documented
U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 Bolt Action Rifle
with Springfield Research Service Letter - Serial no. 561056, 30-06
Springfield cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/oil-quench casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Manufactured in 1913. Features fixed blade front and folding ladder
rear (with volley notch) sights, “S A/flaming bomb/9-13” marked barrel, blued straight-
handle bolt marked “I 8” under the safety lug, and “H” marked on the bottom of the bayonet lug. Fitted
with a “high-hump” profile walnut handguard and a “S” profile single-bolt, grasping groove walnut
stock with a checkered steel buttplate, marked with a boxed “J.F.C.” (J. F. Coyle) inspection cartouche on
the left side of the wrist and a faint circled “P” firing proof on the grip. Includes a September 26, 2005,
dated Springfield Research Service letter, signed by chief researcher Charles W. Pate, listing the rifle by
serial number as being in service with M Company, 5th Ohio Infantry Regiment during the Mexican
Punitive Expedition of 1916 to 1917, which aimed to stop raids coming into the U.S. from across the
Mexican border by men loyal to Pancho Villa. The letter is accompanied by two copies of inspection
documents for M Company’s rifles after their return from the Punitive Expedition, with the rifle listed by
serial number on the second document. Also includes a folder containing consignor provided research.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 30% original blue and oil-quench casehardened finishes with some
pitting on the refurbished lower band, a replacement front sight blade, mild cycling wear, the balance
thinned to smooth silvery grey and brown patinas, some minor spotting/freckling, and light handling
marks. The stock is also fine as refurbished with some filled repairs, scattered minor compression marks,
and a clear cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3380
Framed Mexican Punitive Expedition Era “U.S. Army on the Mexican Border” Commemorative
U.S. 14th Infantry Division Banner - Made out of red, white, and blue colored felt like fabric, this
U.S. 14th Infantry Regiment banner commemorates the unit’s stationing in Yuma, Arizona, c. 1917, not
long after the conclusion of the U.S. Punitive Expedition into Mexico, lead by General John J. “Black
Jack” Pershing in pursuit of Pancho Villa and his gang of bandits, lasting from March 1916 to February
1917. Measuring approximately 27 1/2 inches in height and width, the banner features slit edges, an
interlaced whiter border, a colored and finely detailed “Great Seal of the United States” along with the
lettering “U.S./ARMY/ON/MEXICAN BORDER/14th U.S. INFANTRY” in red and white. The frame measures
approximately 30 5/8 inches tall and 30 1/2 inches wide.
CONDITION: Very fine, with a few sections of some absent fabric on the strands, some minor yellowing
to the white colored fabric and some fading to the “Great Seal of the United States”, otherwise displays
bright colors and clean lines. The frame is fine with some light storage wear.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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