Rarest of the Rare

Not my "rarest" but nice nevertheless. Unfired.

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This whole thread begs the question, why?

Is it because it's historical?
Iconic?
Desirable?
Few made?
Prototype or experimental?
That particular example had a history?
It's near the 'first' or 'last' of its kind?
Lots made but few exist?

I'd like to think all of the above.


these mostly
 
My newly acquired P14 Mk1* W (F)

During WW1, approximately 3500 Winchester manufactured P14 rifles were armorer modified with a fine adjustment rear sight for use at the sniping schools and recommended for issue on a scale of three per battalion. The "W" stands for Winchester as only Winchester rifles were selected for the conversion. The sight was modified to accept an elevation adjustment screw with 3 gradation lines on the top of the adjustment knob, each line representing 1 minute of angle. The (F) designation is for "Fine adjustment" sight.

I believe this to be one of those rifles.

The fine sights on these P14`s were considered to be more accurate than the SMLE with telescopic sight!

http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/randonthoughts/library/Winchester p14?page=1
 
It is hence me calling it a SCW M91/30. I was really lucky with this one two I picked it up for a 100$ last year at a show in Montreal.


I hope you have a copy of ARMS FOR SPAIN by HOWSON in your library, if you are interested in arms of the Spanish Civil war.
The book even documents the Canadian Ross rifles sent from Russia to Spain.
An excellent read and reference book as well as very inexpensive.
 
lorne, I have its cousin! Mine has every Spanish mod they could throw at it. This came for the maynards auction last year with much help from CGN'er brutus.
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I will just leave this action shot here & see if anybody has the mosin wherewithal to recognize why this other rifle might be rare.
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There must be less than 10,000 Israeli converted G24's out there but it is just another 98k lol.

dou 41
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Not a milsurp rifle but has history, 1901 Ross sporter in 375 and was owned by Lt Colonel Cuthbert

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370 Nitro proof s/n 011792 1902 made for Lt Col. G Cuthbert. 40gr cordite 320grn bullet/ From the Lancaster records July 2008
Cuthbert, Colonel Gerald James
He was born Sep 12, 1861, and joined the Scots Guards in 1882. He took part in the Sudan Expedition in 1885 (medal with clasp and bronze star); acted as ADC to the Brig. General at Aldershot from 1889-90; and served in the Boer War in 1899-1902, taking part in the advance on Kimberley and the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River, and Magersfontein; the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River, and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal, including the actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill, and at Rict Vlei and Belfast (despatches, brevet of Lieutenant Colonel, QSA with six clasps, and Kings medal with two clasps). In 1906 Colonel Cuthbert was appointed AAG on the Staff in Egypt.
LORD ROBERTS' MENTIONS, September 4, 19O1.
Lord Roberts' despatch, dated London, September 4, is in continuation of that of April 2, and contains a further list of Regulars, Militia, Yeomanry, and Volunteers, together with a few Irregulars and Civilians, who have rendered special and meritorious service: -
Scots Guards-Lieutenant Colonel Honourable C Harbord; Majors L G Drummond, W P Pulteney, DSO, (Brevet Lieutenant Colonel) G J Cuthbert, W C G McGrigor, F J Heyworth; Captains S H Godman, R G I Bolton, H C Lowther, W F Lascelles, Honourable C S Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, Honourable W P Hore Ruthven, J C Heriot-Maitland; Lieutenants M Barne, Honourable H J Fraser, A B E Gator, F M A Atkinson-Clark, B H S Romilly, R S Tempest, A A L Stephen, T H R Bulkeley, Lord G R Grosvenor; Quartermasters and Honourable Lieutenants W Jamieson, G Payne; Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel G S Robinson and Surgeon-Major W C Beevor, Medical Officers; Sergeant Majors T Ross, J W Sibary; Quartermaster Sergeants R Murray, W Plumer; Drill Sergeants S Buckthought, J Mitchell; Colour Sergeants R Elder, G Orchard, J McGregor, A Broadley, W M Bucknell, A Toomey, D Fisher, O Smith, J Galloway, G Weaver, G Nesbitt; Paymaster Sergeant R H Millis; Sergeants, J Buckthought, T Sargent, J McGregor, E McDermott, J Brown; Lance Sergeante. C Mallen, A W Parsons, J Martin; Lance Corporals A C E Drake, E P Farrow, E Orford, R Calder; Privates W Morrison, A Anderson, J Pilfold, H Stewart, F Starling, P Dusey; Piper A Martin.
MAGERSFONTEIN, December 1O, 11, 1899
From Lord Methuen's despatch, February 15, 1900.
Staff I have to express my appreciation of the clear orders given out, and the careful arrangements made by Colonel Douglas, ADC, my chief staff officer, for the attack. Major General Sir H Colvile showed coolness and judgment throughout two trying days. The same remark applies to Major General Babington. Lieutenant Cuthbert, Scots Guards, my extra ADU, showed considerable coolness in taking a message from me to the Gordon Highlanders; a volley was fired at him, killing his horse; he took off wallets and saddle and returned, let-tang me learn from others how he had behaved. Major Maberley, RHA, acting galloper to Major General Babington, after rallying 30 or 40 men of different regiments, was severely wounded. Captain Ruggles-Brise, brigade-major, and the ADC; of Sir H Colvile's staff, again earn honourable mention, not only in delivering orders, but also for their clear and accurate description of the position.
No. 119 Gerald James Cuthbert ('Bluebell')
Major-General Gerald James Cuthbert (1861-1931) was a Scots Guardsman who commanded 13th Brigade (1914), 140th Brigade (1914-16), and 39th Division (1916-17). He was replaced as a divisional commander after a critical report by his corps commander, Sir Ivor Maxse. Cuthbert’s nickname is mentioned in ‘With the Post Office Rifles in France and Flanders 1915-18, Tales from the Trenches!’, written by Rifleman Walter Young (IWM: 88/57/1). Cuthbert was given the nickname because he was always getting his troops to clean things: bluebells=spring=cleaning?

John
 
Those last two are beyond beautiful. The experimental Longbranch is incredible just because of what it is no matter what bubba has done, the 1901 Ross alone is amazing, the documentation makes it unreal!
 
Well, she's certainly rare... too bad Bubba got ahold of her... LB Lightweight Trials ... something like 50 were built.

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Jesus H Christ!

Did bubba stick a ruger 10/22 rear sight on that rare experimental gem or is that actually an original trial part?!

That's one rarity for sure right there either way Sir. Congrats on holding that one.
 
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