GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE PRE-VIET NAM/POST-VIET NAM REMINGTON M-40 SNIPER RIFLE.REMINGTON700 M-40214631308MODERN; C&RCal. 308. Standard M-40 sniper rifle built of Viet Nam era parts by Marine Armorers at Quantico Marine Station probably in the late 1970s - early 1980s. Rifle has an orig M-40 24" free-floating, heavy bbl with correct taper, crown and rifling. It has 2 sets of proofs with the Remington proofs and date at "12" and "6" o''clock position from where it was orig indexed. A second set of proofs was added at "3" and "9" o''clock at the time of rebuild. Receiver is not clip slotted but does have the thumb relief cut. This feature is likely due to the early SN range. Stock is correct M-40 and re-numbered to the receiver in the bbl channel and is correctly bedded to the action. Stock also has the D.O.D. Eagle and Stars cartouche on the left side. Buttplate and sling swivels are also correct M-40 and stock has assembly numbers under the buttplate. Bolt is matching numbered and the trigger is the correct, early split sear type, it also has the correct early short bolt shroud and correct early safety. The scope base is correct 40X style by Redfield with matching number on left side. The ring bottoms are correct and marked 1-64 on the bottom and are properly numbered "1" & "2" after they were lapped to the scope. The police department to which this rifle was distributed lost the top rings which are replaced with blued commercial rings, these are correct vintage and style. Scope is the correct first generation Redfield 3-9X Accurange Model with orig anodized green color. The range finding "Tombstone" has come loose which was common for these scopes as the glue securing them would melt in the high heat of direct sunlight which was common in Southeast Asia. The scope has had the orig number removed and black paint applied in that area with the current matching number electro-pencil engraved as is common for re-built M-40s. Trigger guard and floorplate are correct for the early M-40. This rifle was donated to the Oliver Springs, Tennessee, Police Department and shipped from Anniston Ordnance Depot, Alabama, directly to that police department to the attention of Sgt. G. D. Branham as attested to on the shipping document which identifies this rifle by SN. Accompanied by a copy of that shipping document. Also accompanied by a Viet Nam era green canvas silent sling. Rarely do these early Marine sniper rifles ever come to market and when they do, they are usually incomplete and butchered. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl, receiver and bolt retain virtually all of their crisp Quantico-style finish with gray/green parkerizing on the bbl and receiver, green oxide on the bolt body and blue on the bolt handle and shroud. Scope base and ring bottoms are matching parkerized finish. Scope retains about 95% orig light green anodized finish. Trigger guard and floorplate retain about 60-70% orig satin blue/black finish. Stock retains virtually all of its orig military oil finish with only a minor nick or two. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant, shiny bore, clean crisp optics. Case is extremely fine. 49657-1 JR (15,000-20,000)