Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this ULTRA RARE bolt-action rifle today for a penny-start auction, this is the Remington 720 Military “Secretary of the Navy Trophy Rifle”!
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The Remington Model 720 Military "Secretary of the Navy Trophy" rifles are incredibly rare and regarded as the "Holy Grail" of Remington firearms. Only 1,000 of these were awarded to competition winners and came in their original shipping-labeled boxes and contents. This specific example, with its original box and accessories, is extremely hard to find and significantly boosts its collector value, making it a truly unique piece.
The Remington 720 is the rarest sister model to the timeless Remington 700!
CThese models do not ever surface on the open market. We are confident in stating that finding another example that is comparable in condition and completeness would be almost impossible. This example has the original labeled box, original sling, manual, advertising documents, and even envelope to hold the papers!
Also, the original document receipt from where it was shipped from the Naval Weapons Support Center and given to the 1st place Winnner of the 1989 Camp Perry matches!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Remington
Model: 720 Military “Secretary of the Navy Trophy Rifle”
Serial: 41591
Date of Manufacture: 1942
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 22"
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead on Blade Front with Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn Rear
Stock/Grips: Walnut Stock with Checkered Pistol Grip and Forearm
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is stamped "MODEL-720". The right side of the receiver is stamped “REMINGTON / REG.U.S.PAT.OFF.”. The right side of the barrel is stamped with multiple proof marks. The left side of the barrel is stamped “SPRINGFIELD. / .30 CAL.1906”. The top of the barrel is stamped “REMINGTON ARMS CO., INC., REMINGTON / ILION WORKS, ILION, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.”. The left side stock is stamped with the crossed cannons logo and inspector initials "FJA".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Remington Model 720 bolt action rifle, intended to compete with Winchester's popular Model 70, was produced in limited numbers until Second World War military requirements forced its discontinuation. Even some knowledgeable collectors and firearms historians may not be familiar with these rifles. Introduced by Remington in mid- to late-1941, the Model 720 was billed as an improvement over its predecessor, the Model 30S. The Ilion, New York arms maker offered these in .270 Winchester and .257 Roberts chamberings, as well as in .30-06 and with barrel lengths of 20-, 22-, and 24 inches. Other features included a semi-beavertail stock with a checkered pistol grip and fore-end; checkered steel butt plate; hinged floor plate; swept-back bolt handle; and a speed-lock firing pin, which cocked on the opening of the bolt. Remington intended to phase out the Model 30 shortly after this new design hit the market, but the Pearl Harbor attack and the subsequent U.S. entry into the Second World War threw a wrench into Remington's plans.
Model: 720 Military “Secretary of the Navy Trophy Rifle”
Serial: 41591
Date of Manufacture: 1942
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 22"
Optics/Sights: Brass Bead on Blade Front with Adjustable Semi-Buckhorn Rear
Stock/Grips: Walnut Stock with Checkered Pistol Grip and Forearm
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The left side of the receiver is stamped "MODEL-720". The right side of the receiver is stamped “REMINGTON / REG.U.S.PAT.OFF.”. The right side of the barrel is stamped with multiple proof marks. The left side of the barrel is stamped “SPRINGFIELD. / .30 CAL.1906”. The top of the barrel is stamped “REMINGTON ARMS CO., INC., REMINGTON / ILION WORKS, ILION, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.”. The left side stock is stamped with the crossed cannons logo and inspector initials "FJA".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Remington Model 720 bolt action rifle, intended to compete with Winchester's popular Model 70, was produced in limited numbers until Second World War military requirements forced its discontinuation. Even some knowledgeable collectors and firearms historians may not be familiar with these rifles. Introduced by Remington in mid- to late-1941, the Model 720 was billed as an improvement over its predecessor, the Model 30S. The Ilion, New York arms maker offered these in .270 Winchester and .257 Roberts chamberings, as well as in .30-06 and with barrel lengths of 20-, 22-, and 24 inches. Other features included a semi-beavertail stock with a checkered pistol grip and fore-end; checkered steel butt plate; hinged floor plate; swept-back bolt handle; and a speed-lock firing pin, which cocked on the opening of the bolt. Remington intended to phase out the Model 30 shortly after this new design hit the market, but the Pearl Harbor attack and the subsequent U.S. entry into the Second World War threw a wrench into Remington's plans.
Production of the 720 was soon discontinued as military ordnance contracts for the Model 1903A1, and the later M1903A3 took over the company's production line. Eventually, existing Model 720 inventories in .30-06 caliber, as well as various incomplete sub-assemblies, were "drafted" into military service by the U.S. Navy. These rifles are easily distinguished by the "crossed cannon" Ordnance proof mark and inspector's cartouche on the stock. These rifles would never see combat service; instead, they spent the war in storage at the Navy's Crane, Indiana Ammunition Depot. There, they would remain until an order for their destruction as surplus property was issued in 1963. Fortunately, Major Kam Hayden, U.S.M.C., who had just finished a tour as commander of the Marine Corps Marksmanship Training Unit at Quantico, Virginia, heard about the proposal to destroy these rifles. Maj. Hayden suggested that they be awarded as trophies to top Navy and Marine Corps competitive shooters.
This plan was approved, and beginning in 1964, the Model 720 was designated as the "Secretary of the Navy Trophy." A few rifles exhibited ill effects from their long storage and were subsequently used as a source of parts, while the remaining inventory was divided between the Navy and Marine Corps to be awarded to winners at the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, and various divisional and inter-service matches. Presented in their original shipping cartons, these Secretary of the Navy trophy rifles feature an engraved magazine floorplate identifying the competition for which they were awarded. Some shooters won as many as seven of these rare trophies before steps were taken to limit the awarding of a rifle.
Of the approximately 2,500 standard Model 720s manufactured, the .30-06 variant accounts for all but about 100 of those produced. Very few were purchased through commercial outlets before the remaining stocks were obtained by the Navy. Of those, only a very few remain to be awarded to Navy and Marine Corps shooters. A "rare bird" from its early days, the Model 720 has become cherished as a symbol of marksmanship superiority as well as a fine presentation-grade rifle.
Condition/Contents:
Condition/Contents:
This example is in PHENOMENAL condition, showing no evidence of regular consumer use or handling that we can see. This example will ship with the original labeled box, sling, and paperwork pictured above!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
