PDA

View Full Version : Could a cilivan purchase a new model 1908 Warner&Swasry musket scope:


curio and relic
06-25-2014, 01:48
around the 1910-12 period, or were they reserved for Army use only? In the same vein, if you bought an 03 thru the NRA could you also purchase the W&S sight?
John Beard
06-25-2014, 04:01
I'm not 100% certain, but I believe the Model 1908 Warner & Swasey Scope was available for civilian sale directly from the company. I have a copy of a Warner & Swasey print advertisement which appeared in "Arms and the Man" from that period.

I'm reasonably certain that the Warner & Swasey sight was not available for civilian sale through the Army Ordnance Dept. And as a matter of note, the NRA played no role in the civilian purchase of Model 1903 rifles prior to WWI.

Hope this helps.

J.B.
curio and relic
06-25-2014, 04:19
Thank you for the information Mr. Beard. One last question: How did one go about purchasing a service grade M1903 between 1910-12 if it were not thru the NRA? I'm curious since around 1913-14 I believe, the armories started stamping the front of the trigger guard with the letters N.R.A., so that law enforcement could differentiate between privately owned and stolen M1903s?
Thank you again for your reply.
Johnny P
06-25-2014, 04:46
A 1903 "Special Target" sold to an NRA member in 1916. The Model 1911 pistol was also available to NRA life members beginning in 1915 and were also marked NRA to identify them as being sold rather than stolen. This ended with the outbreak of WWI.

http://i61.tinypic.com/24q90k7.jpg
curio and relic
06-25-2014, 05:47
Thank you Johnney P.
John Beard
06-26-2014, 03:32
Thank you for the information Mr. Beard. One last question: How did one go about purchasing a service grade M1903 between 1910-12 if it were not thru the NRA? I'm curious since around 1913-14 I believe, the armories started stamping the front of the trigger guard with the letters N.R.A., so that law enforcement could differentiate between privately owned and stolen M1903s?
Thank you again for your reply.

The rifles were ordered through shooting clubs.

J.B.
curio and relic
06-26-2014, 06:59
Mr.Beard, thank you again for your response, much appreciated.
Promo
07-04-2014, 12:14
That was how they sold them off
Marine A5 Sniper Rifle
07-05-2014, 08:39
Hey, Promo. What year did that ad appear and in what publication?

jt
Promo
07-06-2014, 02:32
Sorry Jim, no idea. I just had that picture saved somewhen somewhere ..

Do you also keep wondering what their different model with the "adjustable reticle" would be?
jgaynor
07-06-2014, 08:14
Looks like late 20's early 30's.

Dumaurier dealt in various surplus optics and seemed to have some assembly facilities at least. Their ads ran in Guns Magazine at least up to the mid 50's.


Regards,
Jim
Marine A5 Sniper Rifle
07-07-2014, 05:59
Sorry Jim, no idea. I just had that picture saved somewhen somewhere ..

Do you also keep wondering what their different model with the "adjustable reticle" would be?

I assumed that was a typo, as the reticle is etched into the glass, which is not adjustable.

jt
Promo
07-07-2014, 09:52
Jim,

well, I know that. But why would they then have different available models, one with and one without "adjustable reticle"? All W&S scopes were adjustable.

Or did the scope arm already fell off in the Arsenal, so that it wasn't adjustable anymore, and those which were still serviceable with the rail were sold off more expensive?

Edit: the ad mentions several times the "adjustable reticle", additionally to the "adjustable elevation" and the "adjustable windage". Also they're saying "improved by us", did they do any modifications to it?
jgaynor
07-07-2014, 02:06
Jim,

... [snip]Also they're saying "improved by us", did they do any modifications to it?

it ppears that the company had the capability to make some minor modifications or 'improvements" to various surplus optical items. One of their later ads (50's) depicts telescopes manufactured from periscopes (trench periscopes given the size).

Regaards,
Jim