1071

US WWI SPRINGFIELD 1903 BOLT ACTION

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
US WWI SPRINGFIELD 1903 BOLT ACTION
MILITARY RIFLE EQUIPPED WITH WARNER & SWASEY TELESCOPIC SIGHT. Cal. 30-06. S# 598051. Bbl. 24". Marked behind front sight "SA" "flaming bomb" "12-14". This rifle manufactured in 1914 with a correct barrel date, has been equipped w/ a Warner & Swasey Model 1913 telescopic sight. The Warner & Swasey scope was not well liked in the service & it certainly had its share of faults but it was useable & more importantly it was in production & available plus the off set feature allowed the rifle to be loaded w/ stripper clips. The scope is marked on the left side "TELESCOPIC MUSKET SIGHT" / "MODEL OF 1913 No. 5326" / "THE WARNER & SWASEY CO." / "CLEVELAND OHIO U.S.A." (plus Pat. info). The top cover has a Wind and Range correction data plate. There is a drift correction plate on top of the objective lens housing. A small plate at the rear gives ranges for the three horizontal lines on the left side of the reticle. The original rubber eye cup has three vent holes which were added to prevent discomfort to the eye. The locking screw for the elevation dial is the later cruciform shape. The inside surface of the mounting dovetail is not serial numbered to to the rifle. The base is attached to the rifle w/ three screws which show no evidence of staking. The rifles ladder rear sight is graduated to 2850 yards & has the volley notch. Grooved and dished windage and elevation knobs. Blade front sight. Bolt with straight down handle has illegible mark under bolt handle. All milled furniture including smooth trap buttplate. Grooved trigger. "S" type straight grip stock w/ grasping grooves. Stock is an early replacement marked only w/ " 4B13?" on top of comb. Non matching handguard w/ two reinforcing clips. Well worn unmarked model 1907 type sling. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: nickel plated oiler in butt. CONDITION: telescope has 50% of its worn flaking finish w/ numerous handling marks. the top cover has had the black finish removed and has a pleasing patina. The rubber eyecup has hardened with age and has been glued to the brass eye piece with a notable missing chip on the left side. The adjustments move freely. The optics are cloudy with a bubbled appearance and have the expected flakes of black enamel from the inside of the scope body. The dovetail does not allow the scope to seat fully. The buttstock has moderate to heavy wear staining and handling marks. The butt has traces of yellow paint from removal of rack numbers. App. two inch crack behind receiver tang. The handguard has very good original finish. The metal has wear with traces of blue turning gray and patina. Shiny bore with moderately worn lands. PROVENANCE: from the estate collection of Thomas J. Mulligan. (23-1198/RW). CURIO. $2,000-3,000.