interesting rifle case

[RCS]

This case is from WW1 and re-issued at the end of WW2, I was told that it was also used for the
early WW1 Browning BAR M1918 - but there was a heavy leather case for the BAR. If this is
a common issue Model 1903 rifle case, I really never seen too many of them around ? Anyone
have additional information ?P1010008_0008.jpgP1010009_0009.jpgP1010010_0010.jpgP1010011_0011.jpgP1010012_0012.jpg

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Hello, Bob. Nice acquisition. Supposedly, the `1903 sniper rifles were carried (transit) in cases like that. There is a picture of troops returning from Nicaragua in marching formation and several of the Marines have shouldered something in cases like that. Of course, not being able to see inside the cases, they might have contained snipers, or they may have been BAR's, or both. Either way, you did good. It appears to be in very good condition.

Jim

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Found this. Taken in China in 1909. The Indians are with British Expedition Forces.

Jim

[RCS]

Thanks Jim

[SemperFi, 0321]

"Supposedly, the `1903 sniper rifles were carried (transit) in cases like that."

I have an original Brauer Bros. Nov. 191?(8) canvas case identical to that, minus the leather cover. I don't believe a scoped '03 would fit in that narrow case, unless the scope was removed and was carried in it's leather tube case. (my scoped P-17 sporter won't fit in)
So unless the tube cases are visible in the Marine photos, perhaps they aren't sniper rifles, but just std issue '03's. Weren't these canvas cases issued for every rifleman to carry his '03 in?
Why would there be a heavy leather flap when the canvas one would work just as well? Or is that an after war civilian add on? Any ordnance stamps in leather to show military mfg or use?
All my ink stampings are inside the canvas flap cover; Brauer Bros. Nov. 191? M.A.S. 200 ?155-

[RCS]

I found an old email from the late Jim Ballou from Sept 7, 2011 about this case. I had sent him the same photos as shown
above in my post. Jim Ballou said that the tip-off was that the case was four inches longer than the Model 1903 case and
that you could put the early Model 1918 BAR with flashider into this case. You could also use this case for the 1903 too