*EXTREMELY RARE CASED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 LINE THROWING GUN.

*EXTREMELY RARE CASED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 LINE THROWING GUN. SN 995825. Cal. 30 Blank. Unusual rifle made up for the Coast Guard and assembled from various parts from different eras, this rifle has a 24″ tapered rnd smoothbore bbl that was originally a rifled bbl that has had the front sight removed and lightly machined removing most of the markings leaving only the partial date “29”. The Buffington rear sight sleeve has been milled flat on top. Receiver has usual “1903” markings with gray/green parkerized finish. Trigger guard & floorplate are missing. Mounted in a service model 1-pc walnut stock with grasping grooves, shortened in length to just above the lower band with the handguard shortened to match. Stock has two reinforcing bolts and is without cartouches. Buttplate has been replaced with a red, Hawkins waffle pad. Buttplate tang recess has been plugged at the Armory. Front band, which normally carries a sling loop, now has the front bracket for the line canister in that place with the rear bracket a strap around the forestock & handguard with a screw through the center. Accompanied by its orig dovetailed oak hinged lid case, 46-1/2″ long x 11-3/4″ wide x 7″ deep. Corners are dovetailed while the bottom & top boards are screwed in place. Front has two clip latches and a heavy steel carrying handle. Top of lid is stenciled “U.S. COAST GUARD / SHOULDER LINE / THROWING EQUIPMENT” and front of case has a brass Price Brothers manufacturer’s plate and inside lid has a paper instruction sheet. Interior is compartmented for the rifle in secure blocks in the bottom with a brass cleaning rod, spindles containing three spools of shot line, a wooden mallet, two 20-rd boxes of grenade launcher blanks and a block in left rear corner for cleaning brushes & patches. The rewinding machine is missing and four of the cartridges have been fired. Inside the lid has metal brackets containing seven 13 oz. projectiles with another rack for three 15 oz. projectiles which are missing. This rifle is described in detail on pp. 151-153 of The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy. It appears that this exact rifle and its case is pictured on p. 151. PROVENANCE: Bob Rosenthal Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Metal retains most of its orig Armory gray/green parkerized finish with only minor sharp edge wear. Stock has a hairline grain check in wrist with minor handling & use nicks & dings and retains most of its Armory oil finish. Mechanics are fine, dark pitted bore. Case is very fine with a few chips on corners and a minor crack in front of lid, otherwise retains virtually all of its orig varnish. Contents are fine. 4-39217 JR21 (7,500-12,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010

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
	1036A	$8,050.00	EXTREMELY RARE CASED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 LINE THROWING GUN. SN 995825. Cal. 30 Blank. Unusual rifle made up for the Coast Guard and assembled from various parts from different eras, this rifle has a 24″ tapered rnd smoothbore bbl that was originally a rifled bbl that has had the front sight removed and lightly machined removing most of the markings leaving only the partial date “29”. The Buffington rear sight sleeve has been milled flat on top. Receiver has usual “1903” markings with gray/green parkerized finish. Trigger guard & floorplate are missing. Mounted in a service model 1-pc walnut stock with grasping grooves, shortened in length to just above the lower band with the handguard shortened to match. Stock has two reinforcing bolts and is without cartouches. Buttplate has been replaced with a red, Hawkins waffle pad. Buttplate tang recess has been plugged at the Armory. Front band, which normally carries a sling loop, now has the front bracket for the line canister in that place with the rear bracket a strap around the forestock & handguard with a screw through the center. Accompanied by its orig dovetailed oak hinged lid case, 46-1/2″ long x 11-3/4″ wide x 7″ deep. Corners are dovetailed while the bottom & top boards are screwed in place. Front has two clip latches and a heavy steel carrying handle. Top of lid is stenciled “U.S. COAST GUARD / SHOULDER LINE / THROWING EQUIPMENT” and front of case has a brass Price Brothers manufacturer’s plate and inside lid has a paper instruction sheet. Interior is compartmented for the rifle in secure blocks in the bottom with a brass cleaning rod, spindles containing three spools of shot line, a wooden mallet, two 20-rd boxes of grenade launcher blanks and a block in left rear corner for cleaning brushes & patches. The rewinding machine is missing and four of the cartridges have been fired. Inside the lid has metal brackets containing seven 13 oz. projectiles with another rack for three 15 oz. projectiles which are missing. This rifle is described in detail on pp. 151-153 of The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy. It appears that this exact rifle and its case is pictured on p. 151. PROVENANCE: Bob Rosenthal Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Metal retains most of its orig Armory gray/green parkerized finish with only minor sharp edge wear. Stock has a hairline grain check in wrist with minor handling & use nicks & dings and retains most of its Armory oil finish. Mechanics are fine, dark pitted bore. Case is very fine with a few chips on corners and a minor crack in front of lid, otherwise retains virtually all of its orig varnish. Contents are fine. 4-39217 JR21 (7,500-12,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2010 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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