Original 03A4 with possibly original installed M73B1 scope

[cplnorton]

I found a A4 that looks to be all original. And the circumstances of the rifle and the condition lend me to believe the scope is either the original one put on in 1943 when new, or at the very least it left the military with this scope on it. Otherwise I do not think this is a CMP or DCM rifle sold without a scope and one was later added.

The scope is a 2A variant. Marked M73B1 on the plate with a serial of 10,809. It does not have the screws on the knobs.

The serial of the rifle is 3419099 with a 7/43 barrel.

Could a 2A variant M73B1 be original to a 3.41 serialed rifle? Just looking at this thing, I almost think it was the one that was put on the rifle in 1943. I do know it's impossible to say for sure, I'm just curious if it's even possible it's original to that serial range.

[jgaynor]

[snip
Could a 2A variant M73B1 be original to a 3.41 serialed rifle? Just looking at this thing, I almost think it was the one that was put on the rifle in 1943. I do know it's impossible to say for sure, I'm just curious if it's even possible it's original to that serial range.

yes its possible. A long shot but possible.

[cplnorton]

Here are some pics of it.

[cplnorton]

I had a heck of a time breaking free the screw that holds the scope on. It hadn't been removed in a long, long time. I finally had to put the barreled action in a padded vice, then take a huge Snap On screw driver with a wrench on it to get it to break free.



The other thing that really made me think this might be original. The barrel is the original barrel for the rifle. But it swallows my CMP guage like it's nothing. I sort of suspect this rifle was either taken at the end of the war or someone purchased it. I've seen at least one 03A4 with a receipt from 1946. And as bad as this barrel is, I would suspect it would have been rebuilt it if stayed around after the war for very long.

[BlitzKrieg]

Considering the nice condition of this rifle, I am at a loss for words how its muzzle has that much wear.

I'd not be prone to believe steel ram rod as the culprit. Nor that anyone (in the 50s ,60s) constructed the rifle of correct parts and slapped on a barrel like that.

So I have to ask: is that muzzle counter bored ? Would a govt. arsenal do a counter bore to a rusted muzzle that cosmolene failed to protect ?

This is one of those rifles I'd rebarrel with a orig. military barrel and not worry about the debate of "original vs correct " 03a4.

Thanks for the fine pictures too , nice rifle indeed.

[jgaynor]

Very nice A4!. I wouldn't be too concerned about the gauge reading. Not really material to a collectors item. If it bothers you i would 1. first try another gauge if you can borrow one. The 2. get some decent ammo and see how it shoots. You might want to get some 1" Redfield rings and install a modern scope to save your M73B1.

[cplnorton]

No she has just been shot a lot. She's never been messed with. But looking at the rifle in person it probably looks a fuzz better in the pics than in person. Because when you hold it in your hands, she is worn. But it's all honest wear.

Honestly I will probably never shoot it. Out of all the firearms I own. I've only ever shot a small handful of them. Just not so much a shooter as a collector.

Jim, I'm going to send you a PM too, so look for it.

[BlitzKrieg]

Recommendation: since 03A3 barrels can still be bought , in GI wrap in mint condition, go get one
while they can be had. Then...all bases are covered.

This is a very nice rifle as said. I will note, were it mine, I'd get a Gibbs/ Creedmore / etc etc vendor 03A4 repro for shooting and save this rifle from wear & tear.

[cplnorton]

Well a 03A3 barrel and a A4 are a little different. The A3 barrels were parked with a front sight on them, and the A4 barrels weren't. So if you get a A3 barrel and remove the front sight, that area would be in the white and stick out like a sore thumb on the rifle. And then the A4 barrels also have a punch mark on the underside of the barrel, where the A3's don't.

This rifle would bring a premium over a rebuilt A4 because of how original it is. I'm not sure how many non-rebuilds A4's are out there, but I doubt very many. I know Johnny Peppers has a really nice one, and then that one that John Beard helped with that was like new. And I've heard of maybe a few more. The Majority are refinished and rebuilt. I know personally I've been looking for one for about 7 years now and finally just found this one. But I wanted one that looked original with a un-sanded stock.

But here is a pic of a Greek HXP round, and then a pic of the punch mark on the underside of the barrel. It say it's a 3.5 to 4ME somewhere around there. I've always personally thought that other factors determine accuracy more than the ME guage. Heck I almost guarantee it can still shoot better than I can anyways.

[jgaynor]

Cplnorton, Thanks for posting all the excellent pictures.

Could you please confirm a few details for my database please?

1. Is there a "P" proof mark on the pistol grip or wrist (in a circular surround)?
2. Is the barrel a 2 groove or a four groove?

If it were mine I would not change a thing.

Regards,

Jim

[cplnorton]

Jim, It has a 2 groove barrel and here is a pic of the Circle P.

[jgaynor]

Thanks.

[chuckindenver]

observations,
stacking swivel band is a refinished replacement,, {rounded edges} and signs of wire wheel.
scope has been taken apart at some time, no tar sealent around the edge of the data plate.
rust on the screw, is likely from someone other then the military with red iodine.. old trick to keep the screw tight..
as nice as the rifle is, i dont think the scope and rings are original to the rifle..
the pitting and wear dont match the rifle..

[chuckindenver]

tar sealent M73B1

[rebound]

And then there is the cut-out for the bolt, which does not appear to be of the correct style for the date of issue..