*RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 HOFFER-THOMPSON GALLERY PRACTICE RIFLE, THE LAST ONE PRODUCED.

*RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 HOFFER-THOMPSON GALLERY PRACTICE RIFLE, THE LAST ONE PRODUCED. SN 586826. Cal. 22. The Hoffer-Thompson gallery practice rifle was designed for use as a sub-caliber practice/training rifle for the U.S. Army. Production began in 1907 and continued through about 1919 with a total of 15,525 rifles produced. The design was by Maj. J.E. Hoffer with modifications to the cartridge adapter by Maj. J.T. Thompson. It was initially designed to use the 22 Long cartridge but later modified for the 22 Short cartridge. With the adoption of the M1922 Gallery Practice rifle, the majority of these Hoffer-Thompson rifles were either destroyed or re-configured to service rifles. This very rare rifle has all the outward appearances of a standard issue 1903 service rifle with 24″ bbl marked “SA / 4-15” with flaming bomb in middle below front sight. Rear sight is a 2,400 yard Buffington-style sight. Chamber markings are standard for the 1903 with rear bridge stamped “22”. The bolt lug also is stamped with a tiny “22” as is the bottom of the bayonet lug. The front tip of the forestock is also stamped “22”. Trigger guard & floorplate are standard machined steel with trigger guard front tang marked “N.R.A.” with a flaming bomb. Mounted in a straight grain uncheckered American 1-pc walnut stock with grasping grooves and straight grip with checkered steel buttplate that has trap containing a nickeled brass tube/cleaning kit/oiler. It has full length upper handguard secured with front split band/bayonet lug with stacking swivel and a grooved lower band with sling loop and a corresponding sling loop in buttstock. Left side of wrist has a crisp “J.S.A.” cartouche in a rectangle while bottom of wrist does not have the “P” inspector proof, only has a number “30”. Accompanied by three orig Hoffer-Thompson sub-caliber adapters and an orig unloading punch with turned wooden handle. This rifle is the featured arm of its type and is fully identified in a photograph with visible serial number on p. 266 of The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy, with a total of five photographs. Page 271 of the referenced publication states that “The highest serial number Hoffer-Thompson noted is the rifle photographed in this chapter. It is serial number 586826.” PROVENANCE: Bob Rosenthal Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Metal overall retains a smooth even blue/brown patina with light sharp edge wear. Wood is sound showing light to moderate wear with light handling & use marks and overall retains a hand worn patina on the armory oil finish. Mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bore. Adapters are fine to extremely fine and the punch is also fine. 4-39208 JR14 (4,500-6,500)

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
	1047	$3,910.00	RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 HOFFER-THOMPSON GALLERY PRACTICE RIFLE, THE LAST ONE PRODUCED. SN 586826. Cal. 22. The Hoffer-Thompson gallery practice rifle was designed for use as a sub-caliber practice/training rifle for the U.S. Army. Production began in 1907 and continued through about 1919 with a total of 15,525 rifles produced. The design was by Maj. J.E. Hoffer with modifications to the cartridge adapter by Maj. J.T. Thompson. It was initially designed to use the 22 Long cartridge but later modified for the 22 Short cartridge. With the adoption of the M1922 Gallery Practice rifle, the majority of these Hoffer-Thompson rifles were either destroyed or re-configured to service rifles. This very rare rifle has all the outward appearances of a standard issue 1903 service rifle with 24″ bbl marked “SA / 4-15” with flaming bomb in middle below front sight. Rear sight is a 2,400 yard Buffington-style sight. Chamber markings are standard for the 1903 with rear bridge stamped “22”. The bolt lug also is stamped with a tiny “22” as is the bottom of the bayonet lug. The front tip of the forestock is also stamped “22”. Trigger guard & floorplate are standard machined steel with trigger guard front tang marked “N.R.A.” with a flaming bomb. Mounted in a straight grain uncheckered American 1-pc walnut stock with grasping grooves and straight grip with checkered steel buttplate that has trap containing a nickeled brass tube/cleaning kit/oiler. It has full length upper handguard secured with front split band/bayonet lug with stacking swivel and a grooved lower band with sling loop and a corresponding sling loop in buttstock. Left side of wrist has a crisp “J.S.A.” cartouche in a rectangle while bottom of wrist does not have the “P” inspector proof, only has a number “30”. Accompanied by three orig Hoffer-Thompson sub-caliber adapters and an orig unloading punch with turned wooden handle. This rifle is the featured arm of its type and is fully identified in a photograph with visible serial number on p. 266 of The Springfield 1903 Rifles, Brophy, with a total of five photographs. Page 271 of the referenced publication states that “The highest serial number Hoffer-Thompson noted is the rifle photographed in this chapter. It is serial number 586826.” PROVENANCE: Bob Rosenthal Collection. CONDITION: Fine. Metal overall retains a smooth even blue/brown patina with light sharp edge wear. Wood is sound showing light to moderate wear with light handling & use marks and overall retains a hand worn patina on the armory oil finish. Mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bore. Adapters are fine to extremely fine and the punch is also fine. 4-39208 JR14 (4,500-6,500) 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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