1903A4 Scopes

[BlitzKrieg]

This has nothing to do with CMP rules so pls don't fog the discussion with CMP authorizes what scope.

What scopes did the US military have in the supply system from 1943 to Viet Nam war that could have been used on a 03A4 ? Pls indicate if there is proof of use. We all know the M73B and Lyman Alaskan were used.

[chuckindenver]

M73B1, M81 M82, M84 Weaver K4 60B

[Kingair001]

We'll Chuck mentioned al of them

[jgaynor]

Early A4 production used commercial Weaver 330C's and 330 Scope - M.8's (tapered post reticle).
The Lyman Alaskan (w/cross wire reticle) was designated the Telescope, M73 and the Weaver 330C (also w/ crossfire reticle) was designated Telescope, M73B1
The M73B1 was produced in several variations and remained the primary scope designated for the A4 for most of its service life.


The M73 (Alaskan) was never delivered in time for use on the A4 although some 36,000 had been ordered. Some were eventually delivered and used on the M1C. Also some 2000 sets of ⅞" Redfield rings were delivered in anticipation of the M73's coming in time for use on the A4.

The M73 Was modified by adding a steel sunshade and rubber eye shade into the Telescope, M81. The M81 was again modified by changing the reticle to a Tapered Post into the Telescope, M82. Some M81's and M82's may well have found their way on to M1903A4's during the Korean War however, their primary use was on the M1C and M1D snipers rifles.

In about 1956 Ordnance updated the standard nomenclature list, again specifying the M73B1 as the primary A4 Scope with the Ordnance designed M84 as the approved alternate. The SNL went on to authorize use of any remaining M73's, M81's or M82's in the event the primary and alternate scopes were unavailable.

A relatively small number of M73B1's was manufactured at Frankford Arsenal due to the delivery problems with Weaver.

In 1945 a small number of sights designated Telescope, M73B2 weremanufactured at OPL in Paris for test. The M73B2 used a modified Redfield Jr. style mount and rings and the W&E adjustments were performs with annular rings similar to those on a German ZF-41.

By the late 60's the Telescope, M84 appears to have supplanted the M73B1.

[Bigbuckeye]

So Jacksons Lyman Alaskan in SPR was incorrect right?

[jgaynor]

Yep! Two chances to get scope right and blew it both times.

[BlitzKrieg]

Jay, I think you hit it out of the ball park. Thank you very much.

Note: I had heard there was displayed a 03A4 with Weaver K4 scope at USMC Museum
at Quantico , Virginia. I combed the museum this morning and this is not the case. I suspect
the two Model 1941 USMC Springfield sniper rifles on display are what was seen. Further,that the
report most likely was generated by someone who does not know difference between a 1903A4 and a Model 1941 USMC sniper rifle.

For the present, I am considering any and all reports of Weaver K4 being used by military on 03A4 rifles as being a valid as Elvis or Sasquatch sightings.