Possible USMC? Oh, What To Do?

[Punch the Clown]

I have my heart set on a 1941 USMC replica. Anyway, I have the Unertl and have been looking for a donor rifle. I wanted one that was already drilled but then this one came my way. The rifle was literally filled with cosmolene-the GI stuff-not the CMP stuff. It has an 8-42 Springfield barrel with a mint bore. When I de-cosmo'd it I found the serial number on the bolt. The rifle is a mixmaster. The sloppy Hatcher hole is there as is that ugly gray park. I'm starting to think that I shouldn't drill and tap this one. If I knew for certain It was a Marine Corps rifle I probably won't. Any ideas? How about the stock markings?

[Smokeeaterpilot]

The stock is a USMC specific contract stock, which I've commonly heard called a "J" stock. Not sure if that's appropriate nomenclature but it's a common nickname.

[Punch the Clown]

The stock is a USMC specific contract stock, which I've commonly heard called a "J" stock. Not sure if that's appropriate nomenclature but it's a common nickname.

So is this thing looking like a USMC?

[Roadkingtrax]

What you have shown, yes it is. If you're doing a clone, you may want to see if higher serial numbers were used on the snipers.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

So is this thing looking like a USMC?

It does possess some of the "USMC traits" you hear a lot of chatter about. Does it have the "vice marks" you hear about?

[cplnorton]

Yeah don't drill this one. Even though they say they can be built on about any serial dating even back to WW1, almost all I have seen are in the 1.4 and 1.5 serial range. With the 1.49 and 1.52 being the heaviest.

[louis]

I totally agree with Steve. Hang in, keep looking at the sporterized 03's. I look on gunbroker often and there are a few high number drilled already. You have s really good rifle on your hands I'd keep it as is.

[chuckindenver]

couple things.
does it have a funny T on the bottom of the barrel, just behind the front sight?
is there a punch mark on the right receiver bolt rail?
and what does the stock look like under the bolt handle?

[Punch the Clown]

It does possess some of the "USMC traits" you hear a lot of chatter about. Does it have the "vice marks" you hear about?

No vise marks. No stippling on buttplate. I will say that as far as I can tell it was in it's cosmolene cocoon a loooong time. What it has is the park color, the Hatcher hole, the electro-penciled bolt, the stock (thank you smokeeaterpilot) and a '42 barrel.

[Punch the Clown]

couple things.
does it have a funny T on the bottom of the barrel, just behind the front sight?
is there a punch mark on the right receiver bolt rail?
and what does the stock look like under the bolt handle?

No T, no punch, nothing unusual under the bolt handle.

[Randy A]

Is it a scant or a C stock?

[Punch the Clown]

Is it a scant or a C stock?

Regular "S" stock.

[Mike D]

Regular "S" stock.

Without finger grooves, correct?

Mike

[Smokeeaterpilot]

To my knowledge the stock in question was only produced straight without GG.

[PhillipM]

.... The rifle was literally filled with cosmolene-the GI stuff-not the CMP stuff. ...

Just a minor point, the CMP stuff you allude to on the 1903's returned from Greece although often referred to as cosmoline, was just plain axle/bearing grease.

If you drill that rifle I will hunt you down and bludgeon you with my hardbound copy of Hatcher's Notebook.