July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
In the throes of the Irish Civil War, the pro-Treaty government acquired a large number of rifles from Britain in order to fight the anti-Treaty Irish Republican Army. The guns had their serial numbers lined out and new numbers applied; belief is that there was concern about soldiers "losing" their guns and the guns turning up in I.R.A hands. This example has the original number lined out and then renumbered in the "ER" range (ER178), the most common range for standard guns. It was then converted to a grenade launching rifle (as indicated by the wire wrapping around forearm), and renumbered into the "G" series. Matching numbers observed on nosecap and receiver (barrel not checked due to wire), bolt is mismatched, which is very common on the G prefix guns. Marked for 1904 Sparkbrook manufacture under Edward VII. Volley sights are intact, but magazine cutoff is absent. 2000 meter rear sight, fixed protected front sight. Normal plethora of British markings through. Buttstock with disk marked "RE / SM" and "120"; "The Broad Arrow" by Skennerton does not list this marking (maybe Royal Engineers South Midlands?). CONDITION: Good. Metal is very good, with bolt reblued, balance of metal appears original, with areas of oxidation to high points and silvering. Several areas, particularly nosecap, have formed a smooth chocolate patina. Legends are crisp. Wood has numerous bumps, bruises, and minor chips, but is solid and free of cracks. Mechanically fine, bore is very good with strong rifling and even frosting. EMW
CORRECTION: Case extractor is not present.