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ADOLPH NIEDNER PRE WAR CUSTOM SPRINGFIELD 03 RIFLE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,500.00 USD
ADOLPH NIEDNER PRE WAR CUSTOM SPRINGFIELD 03 RIFLE
SERIAL 729529. BARREL 24". CALIBER .270 WCF. Niedner opened a gunsmith shop in Malden in 1906. Niedner worked with members of the Massachusetts Rifle Association, including gun barrel-maker Harry Pope, making tools and rifles for ballistics expert Franklin Ware Mann, and prototype Patridge gun sights for inventor Eugene Patridge. Niedner moved to Dowagiac, Michigan in 1920 to establish the Niedner Rifle Company. Niedner manufactured custom rifles for many noted riflemen including Townsend Whelen, Charles Newton, and Ned Roberts. Niedner sold the business in 1940. His custom Mauser and Springfield rifles are considered some of the finest ever made, every bit as high of quality as Griffin & Howe. After World War I, the market was flooded with affordable surplus arms--particularly the well-engineered Mauser 98 and the 1903 Springfield and Rock Island rifles. This launched the beginning of the sporterized bolt action. Among the very first bolt-action pioneers was Adolph Otto (A.O.) Niedner. This 1903 Springfield action features a hand checkered oil finish walnut stock with finely checkered steel trap door butt plate, schnable fore-arm tip, engraved floor plate & trigger guard. ( Kornbrath ?) , custom Niedner barrel not cut for rear sight but has a Lyman right side mounted peep and a Griffin & Howe quick release mount and a period Lyman Alaskan scope with post and line reticle. The gun boast A-O scope blocks and sling swivels. The bolt is wormed to retain oil. Barrel has Niedner Co. legend. Condition. 90% blue with overall scattered age freckling. Floor plate & guard are patina. Stock is excellent with just minor impressions. Bore is strong. Scope has areas of no finish and some poor storage pitting. Fine rifle as is but if metal was professionally refinished and a better condition scope added, would be a show stopper. C&R