3547

Scarce U.S. Springfield Armory Hoffer-Thompson .22 Caliber Model 1903 Gallery Practice Rifle

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:800.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Scarce U.S. Springfield Armory Hoffer-Thompson .22 Caliber  Model 1903 Gallery Practice Rifle
This is a fine example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903 Gallery Practice Rifle with .22 caliber barrel chambered for a .22 caliber cartridge holder. Model 1903 Hoffer-Thompson Gallery Practice rifles are identical to .30 caliber Model 1903 rifles with the exception of .22 caliber barrel. Springfield Armory manufactured 15,525 Hoffer-Thompson G.P. rifles between 1907 and 1918; some non-standard and reject parts in Hoffer-Thompson rifles; these parts were usually stamped "22". The rifle has a WWI production straight grip "S" stock with grasping grooves and two-reinforcing bolts. The rifle has the original blue barrel and rear sight base with casehardened receiver; the upper and lower barrel bands, trigger guard and floor plate are parkerized. The face of the rear sight blade is bright. The receiver is roll-stamped: "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903" and the barrel is stamped with "SA above the Ordnance 'Shell & Flame' insignia and the date "11-13". The rifle has a fine-checkered buttplate and folding leaf rear sight with dished windage and elevation knobs. The bolt safety lug is stamped with the steel lot code "C7". The safety has serifed markings and the magazine cut-off lever has Gothic markings. "22" is stamped on the top of the receiver bridge. There is no visible proof mark on the underside of the stock wrist and what appears to be a proof mark on the left side of the stock wrist has been obliterated. The rifle does not have the copper-colored firing pin spring found on most Gallery Practice rifles
BBL: 24 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 22 S
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 561970
Condition: Very fine. The rifle retains 60% of the original blue with much browning on the trigger guard and barrel bands. The stock is in fine condition with moderate handling wear. This is a solid example of a .22 caliber Hoffer-Thompson Gallery Practice rifle with some replacement parts.