April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/25/2019
The serial number of this rifle indicates that it is an extremely early three digit rod bayonet rifle. It was then updated with a 1905 dated barrel or the action was not assembled until 1905. Has a letter A on the barrel which further indicates it was updated post 1906 to the then new .30-06 cartridge and the 2700 yard sight was added for the new cartridge. Has the second variation handguard, which was an update in 1906 and is referred to as the high hump hand guard with sight groove. At the end of the stock you can see the rod bayonet wedge that has been installed, once the rod bayonet was removed from the original stock. Stock has the wide finger grooves but the stock was recontoured to the beveled left side design. As updates progressed, a stock bolt would have been added and by World War I a second stock bolt was added. This example bears both stock bolts, indicating that this rifle was in use from 1903 to 1918 and perhaps beyond, but saw no further rebuilds or updates. All early milled parts to include split rings, smooth buttplate with trapdoor, milled floorplate and trigger housing, straight bolt. Proof P on wrist. Cartouche present on left side of stock but initials are illegible. CONDITION: Metal is basically a homogeneous blend of blue mixing with soft patina. Legends are sharp. Wood is very good to excellent with usual impressions and light handling marks. Has a muzzle reading of +2 and a throat reading of 4. Any original three digit Springfield would have been a bayonet model and are quite pricey. This is a chance to get an early three digit model that saw yeoman's service at a fraction of the price.