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EXTREMELY RARE & UNUSUAL SPRINGFIELD 22 HORNET

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
EXTREMELY RARE & UNUSUAL SPRINGFIELD 22 HORNET

BOLT ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 22 Hornet. S# 2. Bbl. 24". Barrel marked behind front sight "SA" "Flaming bomb" & "4-42". Barrel marked at bottom below chamber w/ "3" "REP" "3B" visible when removed from stock. Lyman 48 receiver aperture sight w/ sm. knobs. Slide graduated to 125 points. Aperture made w/o flip-up disk. Sight is equipped w/ large target type screw-in disk. Front sight is standard Springfield blade w/ moveable base. The 22 caliber rim fire rifles were developed at the Springfield Armory to allow marksmanship training & practice using lower cost ammunition which also was lower powered & allowed rifle ranges in buildings & in areas not suitable for the full powered ammunition. A few of these rifles were adapted to the then new 22 Hornet cartridge developed by Capt. Grove Watkyns. This development was also assisted by Capt. G.A. Woody of Springfield Armory & Armory Proof Assistant A.L. Woodworth. This work was accomplished using army facilities but was not an official government project. The effort was also in conjunction w/ work by noted firearms authority Col. Townsend Whelen & resulted in the successful & popular 22 Hornet cartridge. This rifle is constructed using a Springfield receiver marked "U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY" & "No. 2". The number abbreviation is unusual as rifle number 3 as shown in photographs is marked w/ the digit only. The nicely blued receiver is made without the boss on the right side of the receiver ring. The receiver does, however, have a gas escape hole drilled in this location. The receiver has the overhanging bridge where the clip guides would be located on a Model 1903 receiver. The receiver is marked on the bottom behind the recoil lug w/ "X" & a tiny numeral "3". The forward end of the mag. well has a steel filler which is both soldered & pinned in place by two transverse cross pins to allow for the installation of a slanted sheet metal adapter for the internal flush magazine. The follower fits inside the adapter. The trigger guard is slotted at the forward end of the magazine well. The blued steel floorplate appears to be a standard issue. The bolt is marked on top of the swept handle "J5" but is otherwise unmarked. Bolt fitted w/ headless cocking piece. Safety functions in the standard manner. Safety markings do not have Serifs. Locking lug has scalloped profile made w/ lock but w/o head space adjustment. Forend has NRA Sporter-type milled band, & forend tip extends approximately 3" forward of barrel band. Stock is inletted for the receiver boss. Unmarked checkered walnut buttstock w/ pistol grip & two recoil bolts fitted w/ aluminum buttplate which was designed to be adjusted by changing the location of the screws. It is fitted w/ screws for one position only. Buttplate has transverse ribs instead of checkering. Standard Springfield rear swivel. Barrel band w/ front swivel. CONDITION: walnut stock has wear, staining & numerous scattered handling marks consistent w/ extensive use. Checkering has notable wear & flattening of diamonds throughout. Right side of forend has notable light stain in forward edge of checkering. Left side of forend tip has crack extending from bbl. band all the way forward. Receiver has 70% worn original blue finish. Parkerized bbl. retains lg. degree of original finish w/ light wear & several scattered spots of missing finish. Bolt head & part of bolt body are in the white w/ light spots of peppery oxidation. Balance of bolt has worn blue. Shiny bore w/ lightly worn lands. (22-3362/RW) MODERN. $4,000-6,000.