Bannerman Special Model 1937 Springfield Rifle

Bannerman Special Model 1937 Springfield Rifle

Sarco, Inc. has a unique Springfield collectable that is hardly ever seen.  We just found a few dozen of these from our first overseas deal in Honduras in 1968 (Wow).

These nice guns have an interesting history.  They were assembled from parts by Francis Bannerman & Sons in 1937 due to a lack of military firearms to sell to foreign governments such as Honduras.  It is designated Bannerman Special Model 1937 Springfield rifle.

Bannerman started as a huge surplus buyer after the U.S. civil war. He then proceeded on for a century until the 1950’s.  In the late 30’s there was a dearth of small arms for his market and he then created the 1937 Bannerman.

This model constitutes an original early 1903 Springfield receiver and a bolt that was cut in half and welded together with a Springfield front and a M1917 rear.  It has a Springfield extractor and P-17 firing pin.  The stock was a modified M1917 stock.  The trigger assembly is P-17.  The barrel is a modified machine gun barrel.  The rear sight assembly, front sight, and front band are Krag.

This may be your only chance to obtain this unique 1903 Springfield variation for your collection. There are only a few pieces for a few collectors who appreciate the uniqueness of this special 1903 Springfield unique variation.

For collector’s purposes, not recommended for shooting.  $1,195 – while they last.

Overall Condition is Fair with Dark Bores

Repaired wood with digs and possibly chips

Finish is Fair with very minor to light pitting

The History of Francis Bannerman:

These Bannerman M1937 rifles were the brainchild of Fransis Bannerman, one of the first original surplus dealers.  Francis Bannerman (Frank) was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1851 and came to the United States to live in Brooklyn, at the age of three. His father took up the business of selling goods at Navy auctions. Young Frank, while still in school, began to collect scrap from the harbor, then full of sailing ships. He was so successful at this that it soon became a business. At the end of the Civil War, he increased his wares by buying surplus stock at government auctions. This source continued even after the Spanish American War. The business, known everywhere as “Bannerman’s” was founded in 1865 in Brooklyn. As more and more material was acquired, it moved several times, finally arriving at 501 Broadway, in Manhattan. From the Spanish War so much equipment and ammunition was bought Equipment of every description as well as ammunition were shipped to his castle like warehouse on Pollepel island for storage until sold.