*EXTRAORDINARY PAIR OF SECRETARY OF NAVY SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 TROPHY RIFLES, WON BY BROTHERS.

*EXTRAORDINARY PAIR OF SECRETARY OF NAVY SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 TROPHY RIFLES, WON BY BROTHERS. SN 1407112 & 1417337. Cal. 30-06. This extraordinary pair of rifles was won by U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen Charles Blenman, Jr. in 1934 and the other by his brother, William Blenman, in 1936. These rifles are awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to the highest scoring member of the Navy competing in the National Service Rifle matches. Both rifles are nearly identical NRA Sporters with 24″ Star gauged tapered rnd bbls, Springfield front sights with hoods with the 1934 rifle dated “2-32” and the 1936 rifle dated “9-35”. Both have standard receiver markings and are mounted with Lyman 48S receiver sights. They are mounted in their orig walnut half stocks with grooved stock bands, checkered forearms & pistol grips with sling swivels and orig checkered steel semi-crescent buttplates. Right side of butts are mounted with 2″ diameter round silver plates with the Secretary of the Navy trophy rifle information along with the winner’s name and year won. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy Charles became a Naval Aviator who flew mostly Hellcat fighters from a carrier in the Pacific and William commanded a destroyer during the D-Day Normandy invasion. Charles retired a Rear Admiral and William as a Captain. This is probably the only pair of Secretary of Navy trophy rifles ever won by brothers. CONDITION: SN 1407112, Charles’ rifle. Retains 95-96% strong orig bbl blue with a couple of small spots of pitting over chamber area. Receiver retains about 85% strong orig blue with a cleaned area on left side of receiver ring, also with some fine pitting. Bolt & handle retain their orig high polish while rails and follower retain fine jeweling. Stock is sound with crisp clean checkering and retains most of its orig dull oil finish with a couple of minor bruises and light handling & use marks. Crisp mechanics, brilliant shiny bore. SN 1417337, Wiliam’s rifle. Extremely fine. Bbl, receiver, floorplate, trigger guard retain about all of their strong orig arsenal blue. Bolt & handle retain their bright polish. Receiver rail & follower retain strong jeweling. Stock is sound showing only minor handling wear with a few minor nicks & scratches and retains about all of its strong hand rubbed oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Probably unfired. 4-37912 JR336 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 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
	1099	$0.00	EXTRAORDINARY PAIR OF SECRETARY OF NAVY SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 TROPHY RIFLES, WON BY BROTHERS. SN 1407112 & 1417337. Cal. 30-06. This extraordinary pair of rifles was won by U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen Charles Blenman, Jr. in 1934 and the other by his brother, William Blenman, in 1936. These rifles are awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to the highest scoring member of the Navy competing in the National Service Rifle matches. Both rifles are nearly identical NRA Sporters with 24″ Star gauged tapered rnd bbls, Springfield front sights with hoods with the 1934 rifle dated “2-32” and the 1936 rifle dated “9-35”. Both have standard receiver markings and are mounted with Lyman 48S receiver sights. They are mounted in their orig walnut half stocks with grooved stock bands, checkered forearms & pistol grips with sling swivels and orig checkered steel semi-crescent buttplates. Right side of butts are mounted with 2″ diameter round silver plates with the Secretary of the Navy trophy rifle information along with the winner’s name and year won. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy Charles became a Naval Aviator who flew mostly Hellcat fighters from a carrier in the Pacific and William commanded a destroyer during the D-Day Normandy invasion. Charles retired a Rear Admiral and William as a Captain. This is probably the only pair of Secretary of Navy trophy rifles ever won by brothers. CONDITION: SN 1407112, Charles’ rifle. Retains 95-96% strong orig bbl blue with a couple of small spots of pitting over chamber area. Receiver retains about 85% strong orig blue with a cleaned area on left side of receiver ring, also with some fine pitting. Bolt & handle retain their orig high polish while rails and follower retain fine jeweling. Stock is sound with crisp clean checkering and retains most of its orig dull oil finish with a couple of minor bruises and light handling & use marks. Crisp mechanics, brilliant shiny bore. SN 1417337, Wiliam’s rifle. Extremely fine. Bbl, receiver, floorplate, trigger guard retain about all of their strong orig arsenal blue. Bolt & handle retain their bright polish. Receiver rail & follower retain strong jeweling. Stock is sound showing only minor handling wear with a few minor nicks & scratches and retains about all of its strong hand rubbed oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. Probably unfired. 4-37912 JR336 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 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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