GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 22 HORNET CONVERSION OF A SPRINGFIELD M1922 TRAINING RIFLE.SPRINGFIELD19222034222 HORNETMODERN; C&RCal 22 Hornet. Externally appears to be a standard M1922 M1 bolt action rifle with 24" tapered rnd bbl, Lyman 17A globe front sight and Lyman 48 receiver sight with large disc aperture. Top of bbl at the front sight is marked "SA / 11-31" with the Springfield flaming bomb in the center. Left side of bbl over the chamber area is marked "LONG RIFLE CART'GE ONLY". Top of the bbl & receiver ring are mounted with Winchester target scope blocks. Receiver has the standard M1922 M1 markings. Mounted in what is probably its original walnut sporting half stock with single grooved band and sling loops. Buttplate is checkered steel semi-crescent early M1922 type Trigger has standard grooved face with checkered tip and the bolt a headless striker. The forestock and pistol grip are checkered in a style identical to other Springfield Armory checkered sporting rifles. The 22 Hornet cartridge was developed by 4 men at the Springfield Armory in cooperation with the Winchester Repeating Arms Co. Those men were all extremely famous shooters in their day, Capt. G.A. Woody, A.L. Woodworth, Capt. Grove Watkyns and Col. Townsend Whelen. Pages 145-147 of The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy details the history of the development of these rifles and pictures the alterations that were made to convert them. The subject rifle exhibits all of the identical alterations including the center fire bolt, magazine box & follower and the fitted piece in the bottom of the receiver under the stock to alter the opening for the magazine box. The extractor has also been altered and extended to accommodate the larger rim of this cartridge. Each of the 4 men involved in the development of this cartridge, utilizing the Springfield Armory facilities apparently made a rifle for themselves. This does not appear to be one of those four rifles, although there is little doubt that it was created at the Springfield Armory. Upon learning of the merits and success of the Springfield Armory 22 Hornet, Griffin & Howe and Sedgley began producing their own versions but utilized full size 1903 actions. Accompanied by a Springfield Service Research letter which identifies this rifle as having been sold & shipped from Springfield Armory to Griffin & Howe on March 9, 1934. It is listed as a Model 1922 M1 in caliber 22 and was "a special sale from Springfield Armory to Griffin & Howe". Apparently Griffin & Howe used this rifle as a model for their later production. This rifle appears to be original in every respect. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. The metal overall retains virtually all of a fine custom finish, probably from Springfield Armory. The wood also retains most of its orig finish, turned a little dark on the buttstock. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 51693-13 JRL (3,500-5,000)