M1941 Sniper Rifle

[Promo]

First of all, the credits for this rifle go to John Beard. Not only because he helped me identify this one as an original, but also because he's probably the most knowledgeable guy on M1903 rifles - and he's also always willing to share his wisdom and experience. John, it is you who made me more into history and collecting and you're also a very important part of my collection. Thanks!

But to get to the topic: I was able to purchase a rifle described as a M1903A1 rifle. Already the pictures made it look like it's one of the USMC sniper rifles which were originally equipped with the Unertl USMC sniper scope. Now, holding it in hand it's clearly that this is not only one of those rifles, but also that it's probably the best one I've ever seen and not only practically unused. And it appears that it's untouched since the day it was sold to a private individual.

The bolt is NS coded, plum coloured, serialized to the receiver. If you look closely, you can still see the original NM polishing which was done around the safety lug at the rear. The barrel date is 3-38, without a star gauge (at least I didn't see any), but with drawing number, USMC rebarreling markings, the fine file markings where the scope blocks were originally placed. The holes for the scope blocks were carefully plugged, but are of course still visible. Note the staked screws at the trigger guard, they're even that firm that the rear screw cannot be removed from the trigger guard. Stock is only marked S and O in the cutoff, but the drawing number is also visible in front of the rear swivel. Rails are polished, the trigger is serrated and has a perfect two-stage setting. Note the rear sight which has the dished knob on the ladder. Not correct, I know - but it came with it, and I'll definately leave it that way. Also the buttplate, not the heavy serration which could also be found with NM rifles, but the fine early checkering.

I'll definately change nothing with that rifle, neither adding the scope blocks nor putting an Unertl scope on it (I do have one, but won't change this rifle since it's absolutely untouched) - just enjoy it for what it is. But if somebody has a nice M1907 leather sling for it, I'd definately be interested!

For now, let the pictures speak for themselves.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/d8e975477ef65fc8e2127c2d6949e817.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/4bf974d5ceed9f1f9e7170b55270fc1e.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/4cc95f12a5cab18143fd0ba23bb8f688.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/f2d690b0b1c7989f49f998c649a8b4ed.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/70d14fe0780be5820296ca37277794bc.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/72ccd08ecbc6cc4718cb045c1ac1234f.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/e79b700c9bd80fadd0512e433d680a9a.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/9e94dcb3d97faec1a81688d6803e7e8a.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/a4927476b33011a56ee6bce01e62d777.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/0e830b51ac31d9e3bbaedd8e2db8f7db.jpg

[Promo]

Part II of the pictures.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/1166ac348ee6f3cac99efbc9e314e8d7.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/999deef9b37ad925769cafe4275e09e4.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/98cd9bd1fc866af0adab8723cb185677.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/a6a89b70cbd31244a685e289ca55fb62.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/7030a71ea38d2ffb8347c9ba1c6ff40c.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/40cf6caebae1225faef0dd98e83f4712.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/2e2aa6e55cb54cd6db8bc029a3278a4f.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/f734619ee9f4cf79920f9c7cf5fcb7e7.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/7e73cfdac4acfaf80cc6a7063c53692d.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/d33fbf8bd18e2dac1a6b7139e0a17cf4.jpg

[John Beard]

Congratulations!

J.B.

[TDP0311]

Exceptional rifle! I browse the auction sites frequently hoping to find a gem like this one day, I'm very glad to see this rifle has found a home with an owner who appreciates it for its incredible history. And I definitely agree that Mr Beard is a great guy, who for me as well has helped me answer questions related to USMC M1903s. Our little community is very lucky to have kind folks who are willing to lend knowledge when needed, and I am thoroughly impressed with this community in general.

Related to the rifle, I have a very similar SN receiver with Hatcher Hole cut. Unfortunately, that is where the trail stops, as I bought it for the receiver for an M1903A1 Sniper project. Serial Number 1403516. Not sure what barrel I will end up using on it yet, I have a very nice HS 44 barrel, but I haven't found anything showing the Marines used these barrels on their rifles. I have a Sedgley USMC 9-41, but its got some minor pitting. Likely, I'll just search out a suitable SA barrel, preferably with vice marks.

[CptEnglehorn]

marvelous, that rifle is in amazing shape.

[TW56]

What a beautiful rifle you have. Thank for posting the photographs.

Mr. Beard is a great asset to the collecting and the history of the 1903 rifle.

TW56

[joem]

Worth whatever you had to pay, IMHO.

[springfield41]

Very nice rifle! Does it have hatcher hole?

[Promo]

Since I am limited to 10 pictures per post and for the moment I only had the artificially lightened pictures from my iPhone I left out the one of the Hatchers hole. But yes, it of course has it!

For those who love the details, note the positions where the staking of the trigger guard screws were made - exactly in the direction of the slot! It's just those details which make the rifle unique! I've never been more carefully when disassembling a rifle, too much afraid to add a scratch to anything.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg296/DaveFromSheffield/Waffen/Ami/b345dea5a87357cfa90018b9216053f3.jpg

PS: I paid the price for a nice M1903 rifle - it wasn't advertised as an USMC sniper, but as a M1903A1.

[cplnorton]

That is my dream rifle. I've owned everything I have ever wanted, except for that rifle. Congratulations! I am extremely jealous!

[The Wolf]

Superb rifle! The Holy Grail of 1903's.. and no doubt you got it at a great price, since it was not advertised as a USMC sniper. Congrats!!!!

Best Regards from Virginia,

Chris

[TW56]

Would you be able to post a picture of the sight hood from the right hand side?

It appears from the photos that it has a standard width front sight blade.

Is there any significance to the number 1 being stamped on the windage knob?

It is a beautiful rifle.

[Promo]

Front sight blade is standard, but the sight hood is the larger USMC one. No idea about the windage knob, maybe John can answer this?

[chuckindenver]

nice rifle.. USMC...yes...snipers rifle? questionable.. but still nice..
note:
no signs of high temp solder on on the barrel and the ring, no punch mark ahead of were the front base was attached, holes drilled in the ring look a little to far foward, but that could just be the picture,
id say its a coin toss on if its a snipers rifle. or not...but still a gem of a rifle.

[Mike D]

Nice rifle, Promo!

If it were mine, there no way I could leave it as is! I'd pay whatever it cost for an original scope and mounts and have them reinstalled. It would surely NOT hurt the value.

Mike

[The Wolf]

I agree with Mike D... I'd want it in it's original configuration with the 8X USMC Unertl scope. Just my thoughts on the matter... a fine rifle as it is!!

Best Regards from Virginia,

Chris

[Promo]

The reason why I leave it that way is shown in the attached picture - plus the fact that these scopes nowadays sell for insane prices.

Chuck, none of these rifles have any type of silver solder on it, and all are done exactly the same way: all have the holes drilled in the same location and all have a distinctive marking which I did not show in the pictures here.

[chuckindenver]

as you know, im not a cheering section. just make my assesment based on rifles i know are the real deal, and not from something i read, or by what someone posts on the net. {no matter who they are}
iv held 100s of so called 1903A1 USMC sniper rifles...and only 2 maybe 3 are legit..
and both the ones iv held, were in rough shape, scopes had battle damage, one rifle sits in a private collection, and he could care less about you, me or any other so called expert, he was givin the rifle by the USMC, when he worked at Remington, and has the most impressive collection of military weapons, as well as the largest Colt pistol collection iv ever seen in my life, he also had a 1922 serial number 3 in ,22 Hornet...rifle is in a display case, sling is rotting off, has hardly any finish, scope is bent, scratched, and has lens seperation, bolt is blackened, {not blued} bases are not only high temp soldered in place, but screws are staked and cemented in place, both the genuine rifles iv seen had a punch mark ahead of the front base about 1 to 2 inches, and both genuine rifles and the 3rd maybe rifle had star gauge numbers but no muzzle marking.
all 3 rifles, had tar left on the rear sight base, 2 rifles that i know are real, had B2 bolts the 3rd had a J7 bolt, all were serialed, all 3 had the stacking swivel removed, and the screw still in place, the 2 i know are real and the 3rd all had pre war Cstocks, and all 3 were in sad to fair shape, all were boned to close the grain of the wood.
the rifle thats in a local collection has no paper work to prove it.. and i would never ask if he had it, second does have paper work to prove it, and is in a USMC display along with a few other rare weapons that were donated by the military,
the 3rd is owned by the former owner of Paladin Arms, who had a vast collection of Genuine sniper rifles...you may have seen some of the books he has put out,, you know that gold book,,the complete book of U.S. sniping?? he used to have a gun store in Longmont Co. years ago...when i first started to collect and play with 1903s..
i have seen many rifles like the one you have pictured, that were likely issued to the USMC, that someone other then the USMC drilled and tapped to mount a scope, then removed the scope, filled the holes with plug screws, and sold them off.
again, i stand by my statement,, it has nothing to do with you, or anything other then...what i see.
what i see, is a 1903 A1, that was used by the USMC, that someone added a C stock after 1943, and within the last 5 years drilled and tapped it.. plugged the holes, and sold the rifle,
the area were they plugged the screws is still fresh, dont you think had the USMC plugged the holes 71 years ago that some of the bright shinny grind marks would have faded?