GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
ULTRA-RARE WINCHESTER/SPRINGFIELD ARMORY SNIPER RIFLE TYPE NO. 2.WINCHESTERSNIPER RIFLE TYPE 2124940430.06MODERN; C&RCal. 30-06. 26" extra heavy Winchester proofed bbl, the underside of which is marked 183855, MNS, VP (in an oval), 17?, 35, and 22 (for the year of manufacture 1922). An extreme rarity with approximately 4 known examples manufactured by Winchester utilizing Springfield Armory 1903 receivers. According to the late Lt. Col. William Brophy in his text, The Springfield 1903 Rifles, pgs 249-252, these rifles were only advertised in September, 1922, by Winchester in the Arms and the Man magazine. They were to be ordered through the company's Shooting Promotion Division. In the previous issue of the same publication dated August 15, 1922, in an article titled New Heavy Barreled Rifles Available, by Stephen Trask, the rifle was introduced and pictured as the Winchester Sniper Rifle Type No. 2, as advertised by the company. In the same year, examples of these rifles topped with Winchester A-5 Scopes were at the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, and used by Captain Guy H. Emerson to win the highly coveted Wimbledon Cup with a record score of 100-15V, and by the K.M.A. team that fired a record setting score of 592x600 in the 1000 yard Herrick Trophy match. Custom made to order and extensively checkered walnut stocks with cheek rests, pistol grip with cap, and rubber butt pad were standard. This stock design was based on the sporting rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory for President Theodore Roosevelt. Also standard were bbls with a diameter of 1-1/8" at the breech and 7/8" at the muzzle, Lyman 48 receiver sights, and bbl based scope blocks. This Type No. 2 sniper rifle might be the only one in existence with an extra heavy bbl that measures 1-1/4" at the breech. Period sling. Weight 12 pounds. PROVENANCE: Accompanying this lot is a packet of information including a letter from William S. Brophy verifying authenticity and intent of purchase, as well as copy of 1922 Winchester advertisement and the article by Stephen Trask for said rifle. CONDITION: Superb overall with most all original blue finish remaining. Bore and mechanics are excellent. Finely checkered walnut stock is excellent with little or no distress. Very pleasant straight grained American walnut with later replaced recoil pad. Plus a period leather sling in very good to excellent condition. 50941-1 TDW (20,000-25,000)