GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
EXTRAORDINARILY RARE SPRINGFIELD ARSENAL MODEL 1922 HEAVY BARREL MATCH RIFLE.SPRINGFIELD19221248857.30-06MODERN; C&RCal. 30-06. Exceptionally rare rifle that, according to Lt. Col. William S. Brophy, on pg 114 of his book The Springfield 1903 Rifles he states that fewer than 80 of these rifles were manufactured. They were produced for and offered for sale by The Division of Civilian Marksmanship (DCM) only in 1922. Their cost was $71.34, which was an extraordinary amount of money for that time considering that most working men were earning less than $50 a week. This rifle is a standard Model 1922 with 24" tapered extra heavy rnd bbl with integral front sight ramp containing a Lyman 17A globe front sight. Top of the bbl is mounted with target scope blocks that are about 6" center to center. It is believed these scope blocks were originally for the Winchester Model A5 scope. Bottom of the bbl, about mid-point under the wood is stamped with the star-gauge number "J73 / 3202". The receiver ring has standard Model 1903 markings and the rear bridge is mounted with a Lyman 48S receiver sight. Neither the receiver ring or rear bridge are drilled & tapped. Bolt body, handle & extractor are polished bright while the shroud, safety & striker are blued. Receiver rails are also polished bright as found on National Match rifles. Rifle is mounted in a Model 1922 1-pc target half-stock with period checkering on forestock and grip and has grasping grooves in the forestock with 2 reinforcing bolts and squared grip with M1922 checkered steel buttplate. Bottom of the butt and front band have standard 1903 sling loops. Front band is modified from a Model 1917 rifle similar to those found on the M1922 Sporter and 22 rifles. Trigger guard and floorplate are standard milled Model 1903 equipment. Pistol grip, and forend retain what appears to be orig checkering, which would be a feature of an "International". Pg 114 of the above referenced publication has a picture of the U.S. Army Infantry 8-man rifle team which set a world record in the Herrick Trophy Match using the Model 1922 Springfield heavy bbl rifles. The Model 1922 heavy bbl Match rifle was only produced in 1922. Lt. Col. Brophy on pgs 112 & 113 of the referenced publication, states "in describing some of the '03 variations and models, it is accurate and fair to call them rare. But after rare, what comes next? It could easily be the Model 1922 caliber 30 heavy barrel target rifle." On pgs. 113 & 114 he also states "This rifle is so seldom encountered that only a few of the most serious collectors own an unaltered example ---". Accompanied by the March 2009 issue of U.S. Martial Arms Collector magazine where on pg 118-16 shows a chart that there were 70 Cal. 30 star-gauged heavy bbl rifles shipped to the NRA. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Bbl & receiver retain about 98% strong orig arsenal blue with only faint muzzle and sharp edge wear. Bolt body & handle retain most of their orig bright polish with the shroud, striker & safety showing slightly thin blue. Trigger guard & floor plate retain about 80% orig blue with the losses from flaking, not wear. Stock is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains virtually all of its orig oil finish, still with raised grain. Checkering is clean and excellent. Buttplate retains about 80-85% orig blue with wear only on the heel & toe. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 51466-1 JR81 (12,000-15,000)