Rare find? Pretty interesting

River Rat

This is kinda cool:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=270248484

May generate some discussion among those who know. I myself am not among those who know.

Can anyone share WHY this was manufactured for the Air Service? Was it for shooters from wood-and-canvas aircraft, and so they didn't have to fumble with ammo?

Warbirds

I hate to see an arbitrary number for a reserve on auctions like this.

Maybe after it doesnt sell he will list it at a penny and determine true market value.

Don McManus

From what I understand, less than 1,000 of the 'Air Service' models were manufactured, and all of these well before the S/N on this rifle. Have to admit that even though this is probably a buzzardized rifle, it is tempting....

kimi

Brophy's book on the 1903 covers this rifle. The stock was stripped down to 29 inches, and extends to just forward of the band. The stock, band, hand guard, and rear sight differ from the standard '03 parts. The stock also does not have a lower swivel recess cut into the wood.

Very few of this limited production rifle exist, and they are serial numbered around 860,000, with barrel dates early in 1918.

kimi

quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
From what I understand, less than 1,000 of the 'Air Service' models were manufactured, and all of these well before the S/N on this rifle. Have to admit that even though this is probably a buzzardized rifle, it is tempting....


I knew that you would be very interested in it Don! Wouldn't it be a spectacular find if it was original! [:)]

kimi

quote:Originally posted by River Rat
This is kinda cool:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=270248484

May generate some discussion among those who know. I myself am not among those who know.

Can anyone share WHY this was manufactured for the Air Service? Was it for shooters from wood-and-canvas aircraft, and so they didn't have to fumble with ammo?


Brophy notes that the Ordinance Storage Catalog states that the rifle is stripped down for aircraft use. He also makes note that a modern reference indicated it was intended to be carried aloft by observation ballons and not for mounting aboard airplanes, but that such was nothing more than conjecture. Brophy goes on to say that there was real logic in having a stripped down rifle for possible use as a survival weapon.

Don McManus

quote:Originally posted by kimi
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
From what I understand, less than 1,000 of the 'Air Service' models were manufactured, and all of these well before the S/N on this rifle. Have to admit that even though this is probably a buzzardized rifle, it is tempting....


I knew that you would be very interested in it Don! Wouldn't it be a spectacular find if it was original! [:)]


It would indeed, kimi. No doubt worth every bit of the $ 6,000.00+ referenced in the auction description for an original.

Just too many questions with this one to pay near $ 4,000.00 though.