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Title:	RIFLE, MILITARY -  SMITH RIFLE EXPERIMENTAL 7MM SN# U1
Maker/Manufacturer:	SMITH, MORRIS
Date of Manufacture:
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 16
Measurements:	OL:115.5CM 45 1/2" BL: 64.4CM 25 1/2"

Object Description:

SMITH RIFLE EXPERIMENTAL 7MM SN# U1
Manufactured by - Experimental Morris Smith semi-automatic rifle. Cartridge-counter right side of receiver. Gas-operated. 5-shot. Has M1903 rear sight. Two piece stock. Complete and in excellent condition.

Markings:
Frame: U 1. Selector switch: MF/SF. Manual or single-shot fire.

Weapon donated to the Springfield Armory NHS by Savage Firearms Co., Westfield, Ma. on 17 October 1978.

Weapon appraised by Gillie & Company, Cos Cob, Connecticut, on May 5, 1978 as follows: "Autoloading Rifle, Cal. 7mm. $1,500. Serial number U-1, possibly designed by Morris Smith and made by Savage. It is a gas-operated 5-shot rifle with a cartridge-counter and a selector switch marked MF-SF. It has a 1903 Springfield rear sight. Condition very good."

Notes: Possibly designed by Morris Smith.

"Special Bimonthly Report of New Work Undertaken and New Supplies Issued to Service. May 1, 1905. The Chief of Ordnance, U.S.A. Washington, D.C.
Article or Subject.
TEST OF SMITH-CONDIT SELF-LOADED, GAS-OPERATED RIFLE: This rifle was in the hands of the Board only a few hours, it having been presented with the view of securing criticism of its design and action, in order that measures might be taken to correct such faults as were noted before submitting the gun for the complete test prescribed in the regular programme.
The Board reported that in its opinion, when the several improvements suggested by it have been made, the rifle will possess sufficient merit to warrant its subjection to the complete test. 38544-38."

"The 'Standard Semi-Automatic Sporting Rifle' was twice tested in the early months of 1910. It may have been a further development of the 'Smith-Condit Self-Loading, Gas-Operated Rifle,' inasmuch as W.D. Condit was secretary of the Standard Arms Co. The new rifle was gas-operated. The board of officers examining the Standard refused to recommend it, not because of malfunctioning of the semi-automatic mechanism, but because of the rifle's unsuitability as a military arm. Not only was it not designed for service ammunition, it was labeled not strong enough to handle the high pressures developed. It's rapidity of fire was less than ninety rounds per minute and the length of time needed for reassembly told against it. There were other lesser faults, but probably the chief objection was the rifle's general lack of sturdiness." - Davis

References:
Davis, William H. U.S. RIFLE CALIBER .30 M1 HISTORY OF THE DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, PROCUREMENT AND PRODUCTION, 1936 TO 1945. PROJECT SUPPORTING PAPER, NO. 37. Washington, D.C. July, 1946.

See catalog folder.