*EXTRAORDINARILY RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 CARBINE, ONE OF TWO MADE AT SPRINGFIELD ARMORY.

*EXTRAORDINARILY RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 CARBINE, ONE OF TWO MADE AT SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. SN 2. Cal. 30-06. Incredibly rare authentic Springfield carbine, one of two made at Springfield in about 1920. With the adoption of the Model 1903 rifle all of the U.S. military services were restricted to the one model of rifle whereas previously there had been a carbine-style arm available for the cavalry. In 1920 the cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas decided to explore the reintroduction of a carbine which was authorized for test purposes with only two being produced. Quarterly notes for the first quarter of 1921 indicated that such an experimental carbine had been completed and shipped to the president of the cavalry board at Fort Riley for tests. The notes describe the carbine as having a 20″ bbl with a shortened stock fitted with special sling swivels on left side so that it could be carried across the cavalryman’s back. It was also fitted with a Lyman #48 receiver sight modified to show graduations in yards instead of minutes. According to the book The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy, on p. 85, “It appears that only two of these experimental carbines were assembled, and that because of the austerity of the period after WWI, and because Ordnance thinking was being directed toward a semi-automatic rifle, monies to manufacture another model arm did not become available.” This exact carbine is identified by SN and pictured on pp. 83 & 84 of the referenced publication. This carbine is also featured in a book on Springfield by Canfield on p. 103; on p. 175 of another book on Springfield by J.C. Harrison and on the inside rear cover of the book Arsenal of Freedom, Brophy. This carbine is described as having a 20″ tapered rnd bbl with the muzzle having been machined to a smaller diameter and a special sleeved front sight base, pinned in place, with a standard Springfield front sight in the dovetail. Bbl is hand stamped below front sight “SA / 6-21”. Receiver is standard 1903 style mounted with a Lyman 48 receiver sight with unusual graduations on the blade that read from 100-1,500 yards. Front receiver ring bears only the marking “No. 2”. Trigger guard & floorplate are standard machined 1903 pattern with floorplate hand stamped “BY ORDER OF / COL. T.L. AMES / MAY 1921″. Carbine is mounted in a modified, standard uncheckered walnut 1-pc stock, 32-1/4″ overall length with grasping grooves and two reinforcing bolts. Length of pull over the smooth steel buttplate with trap is 12-3/4″. Overall length of carbine is 39-3/8”. It has a custom arsenal-built 1-pc handguard with machined steel ring at receiver end and is retained by a special grooved band with sling loop on left side and a corresponding sling loop on left side of buttstock. The orig sling loop recess at the toe of buttstock is filled with a machined down sling loop base. Bottom of stock, below trigger guard has two stock finishers’ “P” proofs and there is a faint, illegible cartouche on left side of wrist. Accompanied by a period canvas & brass NOBUCKL sling. PROVENANCE: Bob Rosenthal Collection; Bert Kellerstedt Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl, receiver & floorplate retain a smooth medium gray patina with some light finish losses on top of bbl and receiver. Bolt retains about 80% dark oil case hardening. Wood is sound and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 4-39212 JR4 (35,000-50,000)

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
	1031	$34,500.00	EXTRAORDINARILY RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 CARBINE, ONE OF TWO MADE AT SPRINGFIELD ARMORY. SN 2. Cal. 30-06. Incredibly rare authentic Springfield carbine, one of two made at Springfield in about 1920. With the adoption of the Model 1903 rifle all of the U.S. military services were restricted to the one model of rifle whereas previously there had been a carbine-style arm available for the cavalry. In 1920 the cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas decided to explore the reintroduction of a carbine which was authorized for test purposes with only two being produced. Quarterly notes for the first quarter of 1921 indicated that such an experimental carbine had been completed and shipped to the president of the cavalry board at Fort Riley for tests. The notes describe the carbine as having a 20″ bbl with a shortened stock fitted with special sling swivels on left side so that it could be carried across the cavalryman’s back. It was also fitted with a Lyman #48 receiver sight modified to show graduations in yards instead of minutes. According to the book The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy, on p. 85, “It appears that only two of these experimental carbines were assembled, and that because of the austerity of the period after WWI, and because Ordnance thinking was being directed toward a semi-automatic rifle, monies to manufacture another model arm did not become available.” This exact carbine is identified by SN and pictured on pp. 83 & 84 of the referenced publication. This carbine is also featured in a book on Springfield by Canfield on p. 103; on p. 175 of another book on Springfield by J.C. Harrison and on the inside rear cover of the book Arsenal of Freedom, Brophy. This carbine is described as having a 20″ tapered rnd bbl with the muzzle having been machined to a smaller diameter and a special sleeved front sight base, pinned in place, with a standard Springfield front sight in the dovetail. Bbl is hand stamped below front sight “SA / 6-21”. Receiver is standard 1903 style mounted with a Lyman 48 receiver sight with unusual graduations on the blade that read from 100-1,500 yards. Front receiver ring bears only the marking “No. 2”. Trigger guard & floorplate are standard machined 1903 pattern with floorplate hand stamped “BY ORDER OF / COL. T.L. AMES / MAY 1921″. Carbine is mounted in a modified, standard uncheckered walnut 1-pc stock, 32-1/4″ overall length with grasping grooves and two reinforcing bolts. Length of pull over the smooth steel buttplate with trap is 12-3/4″. Overall length of carbine is 39-3/8”. It has a custom arsenal-built 1-pc handguard with machined steel ring at receiver end and is retained by a special grooved band with sling loop on left side and a corresponding sling loop on left side of buttstock. The orig sling loop recess at the toe of buttstock is filled with a machined down sling loop base. Bottom of stock, below trigger guard has two stock finishers’ “P” proofs and there is a faint, illegible cartouche on left side of wrist. Accompanied by a period canvas & brass NOBUCKL sling. PROVENANCE: Bob Rosenthal Collection; Bert Kellerstedt Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl, receiver & floorplate retain a smooth medium gray patina with some light finish losses on top of bbl and receiver. Bolt retains about 80% dark oil case hardening. Wood is sound and retains most of an old restored finish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore. 4-39212 JR4 (35,000-50,000) 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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