Marine '03

[twh]

Just received today a rifle that has all the hallmarks of a Marine 1903. Serial number 853,415 has punch mark in front of the serial number, stipuled smooth buttplate and one of the smoothest finnished stocks I have ever seen. I haven't taken the handguard off to check for vice marks as I won't have time to take it apart until this afternoon. This makes two rifles I have been looking for that I found this week. Also has the initials JRB and a SS# lightly scratched on the receiver top rail.

[Jeff L]

Does it have a Hatcher hole on the left side of the receiver?

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Congratulations.

Jt

[twh]

Thank you and I apologize for not replying earler but it does have the large Hatcher hole on the left side and has vice marks under the handguard foreward of the rear sight base. I believe that the stock has been boned at one point as it really is the smoothest '03 stock I have ever seen. I am going to see if I can take a decent picture and make my first attempt to post a photo. The only real issue with the rifle is at some point the prior owner lightly scratched his initials JRB or JSB on the side rail but you cannot see them when the bolt is closed.

[Jeff L]

Sounds like a good one. Can you post some pics?

[Tom]

Could someone please explain the significance of the vise marks. Thanks

[Mike D]

Could someone please explain the significance of the vise marks. Thanks

I think the Marine armorers might have held the receiver in a vise and removed the barrel with a large pipe wrench.

Mike

[John Beard]

Please tell us the barrel manufacturer and date. Thanks!

And congratulations!

J.B.

[twh]

SA 8-28 and thank you.

[John Beard]

SA 8-28 and thank you.

Thank You!

J.B.

[twh]

I am going to try and attach some photos so hopefully this work.

[twh]

Here's an important one.

[chuckindenver]

wrench marks on the barrel are from a pumbers table.

[Lancebear]

Serial number, and dink before the number, Hatcher's Hole, stippled butt plate. No markings on the stock? Wrench marks...sounds like a USMC 1903 to me. Congrats!

Lancebear

[ElWoodman]

One of my Marine Brothers who smithed for the Corps in the 1950s explained the vise marks simply...."Imagine changing rifle barrels in the machine shop of a Naval vessel underway at 15 knots, in whatever sea state King Neptune's whim produces.....Combine that with the facts that neither vises, nor rifle barrels are Marine-proof"