*EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 AIR SERVICE RIFLE.

*EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 AIR SERVICE RIFLE. SN 857164. Cal. 30-06. Very unusual & rare Springfield 03 rifle with 24″ tapered rnd bbl dated “4-18″ with standard front sight sleeve containing a .100″ thick blade and a modified rear sight that has had the ladder removed and the elevation eyepiece permanently affixed with a screw. Mounted in a shortened, 29″ stock with grasping grooves and a 5-3/4” round top handguard. It has single grooved band without sling swivel and is attached to the stock with a screw through the bottom. It has straight grip with “P” proof back of trigger guard and “JFC” cartouche on left side of wrist. It has a smooth buttplate with trap. The wood has a very dark, nearly black color, possibly from an aircraft crash & fire. Exposed area of bbl is somewhat more smooth than that usually found on standard rifles of this era. Information on this rifle can be obtained on pp. 76-78 of The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy. These rifles were produced in very limited quantities in 1918, probably about 910 total. Accompanied by two orig 25-rd magazines which are affixed to the rifle in place of the magazine floor plate and are loaded by means of stripper clips through the top. Also accompanied by a letter to consignor from noted Springfield dealer & authority, Peter Cardone, identifying this rifle as found. He indicates in the letter that this rifle came from the collection of Burt Kellerstadt, noted Springfield authority & collector. A hand written note by consignor dated 11-93 at the bottom of the page states that Mr. Kellerstadt confirmed that this rifle had come from his collection. PROVENANCE: Peter Wainwright Collection. Burt Kellerstadt Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl retains most of its dark orig blue, thin around sight band. Receiver & bolt retain most of their dark blue oxide type finish. Magazine & trigger retain most of their greenish/gray oxide finish. Stock & handguard are sound with minor storage & handling marks and retain a dark hand worn oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore, frosty in the grooves. Spare magazine is equally fine. 4-38203 BEK2 (15,000-25,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1025	$32,775.00	EXTREMELY RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 AIR SERVICE RIFLE. SN 857164. Cal. 30-06. Very unusual & rare Springfield 03 rifle with 24″ tapered rnd bbl dated “4-18″ with standard front sight sleeve containing a .100″ thick blade and a modified rear sight that has had the ladder removed and the elevation eyepiece permanently affixed with a screw. Mounted in a shortened, 29″ stock with grasping grooves and a 5-3/4” round top handguard. It has single grooved band without sling swivel and is attached to the stock with a screw through the bottom. It has straight grip with “P” proof back of trigger guard and “JFC” cartouche on left side of wrist. It has a smooth buttplate with trap. The wood has a very dark, nearly black color, possibly from an aircraft crash & fire. Exposed area of bbl is somewhat more smooth than that usually found on standard rifles of this era. Information on this rifle can be obtained on pp. 76-78 of The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy. These rifles were produced in very limited quantities in 1918, probably about 910 total. Accompanied by two orig 25-rd magazines which are affixed to the rifle in place of the magazine floor plate and are loaded by means of stripper clips through the top. Also accompanied by a letter to consignor from noted Springfield dealer & authority, Peter Cardone, identifying this rifle as found. He indicates in the letter that this rifle came from the collection of Burt Kellerstadt, noted Springfield authority & collector. A hand written note by consignor dated 11-93 at the bottom of the page states that Mr. Kellerstadt confirmed that this rifle had come from his collection. PROVENANCE: Peter Wainwright Collection. Burt Kellerstadt Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Bbl retains most of its dark orig blue, thin around sight band. Receiver & bolt retain most of their dark blue oxide type finish. Magazine & trigger retain most of their greenish/gray oxide finish. Stock & handguard are sound with minor storage & handling marks and retain a dark hand worn oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore, frosty in the grooves. Spare magazine is equally fine. 4-38203 BEK2 (15,000-25,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2009 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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