^Lot 1068 RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 HOFFER THOMPSON BOLT

ACTION 22 CALIBER GALLERY PRACTICE RIFLE. Cal. 22 Short. S# 452937. Bbl. 24" marked behind front sight "SA" flaming bomb "7-10". Ladder rear sight graduated to 2400 yards w/ volley notch. Dished windage elevation knobs. Blade front sight w/ unmarked protective sheet metal sight cover. Receiver bridge is marked "22". Bolt hold open plunger is not present in left rear of receiver. These interesting rifles were produced from 1907-1919 to allow for training troops on short outdoor or indoor firing ranges. The earlier attempts to convert military rifles to use the inexpensive & low powered 22 RF cartridges while somewhat successful did not provide the same experience as loading & firing w/ service type ammunition. The solution offered by Major Jay E. Hoffer was to use a steel adapter resembling a standard cartridge which could be fed from stripper clips & would utilize the same bolt and firing mechanism as a service rifle. Some modifications were suggested by Major John T. Thompson & the result was the Hoffer Thompson Springfield. The rifles were marked w/ 22 on various parts although this example is only marked on the receiver bridge. The steel cartridge holders have a spring loaded plunger which allowed the loading of a 22 short cartridge in a side port using a special ramrod tool. The rifles were not popular because the long jump of the bullet to the rifling did not give good accuracy & the cartridge holders were difficult to keep clean & rust free. The design was ultimately superceded by the Model 1922 rifles. Bolt has straight down handle & is marked underneath safety lug "S35". Rifle is equipped w/ smooth trigger & fine checkered buttplate w/ trap. Walnut S Type stock w/ single recoil bolt. Stock is marked on left side w/ boxed "CN 1910" indicating that this high wood stock is a Rock Island Arsenal mfg. replacement. The stock also has a faint encircled script "P" proof under grip. Stock marked at tip w/ "S". Handguard appears to be original & is mfg. w/ sighting groove & 2 reinforcing clips. Brown leather Model 1907 military sling w/ brass hooks. Heavily worn sling has indistinct markings, wear & flexing. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: 5 unmarked blued steel cartridge holders w/ spring loaded plungers & 1 brass stripper clip. CONDITION: replacement buttstock has arsenal rework finish w/ slight loss of wood in inletted areas. Has wear, staining & moderate handling marks including a check in the right heel area plus a sm. gouge on the right side behind grip. Sm. missing chips on left side below receiver tang. Handguard appears to have worn original finish. Metal finish is well worn but original including the model appearance of the receiver. Windage adj. does not function correctly on rear sight. Retaining screw does not seat fully in upper band. Good bore w/ lightly worn lands. PROVANANCE: from the Estate Collection of Thomas J. Mulligan. (23-1236/RW). CURIO. $1,000-1,500.