Pre-War M1903 National Match rifles

[cplnorton]

Huh, the one I have it talks about they played it safe in 1919 and broke in all new rifles. It even mentions that by the time they get to the National Matches the barrels were just getting broke in with about 500 to 600 rounds through them.

Maybe mine is just wrong then. I have seen some contradictions looking at some of these documents. I just took that comment as they got new rifles.

[Mike D]

A couple of more:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]34051[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]34052[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]34053[/ATTACH]

Rick - Has the relief for the mag cut-off been opened up on that rifle? Looks like it in the photo. Maybe the previous owner had big fingers!

Those NM '03's are sweet!

Mike

[Rick the Librarian]

I admit I never noticed that before ...I don't know!

[Promo]

This thread has the potential to become "03-porn"! Wow, what a lot of beautiful rifles and pictures!

I also own one which John had identified as a pre WWI NM rifle, my rifle is in the 577.xxx range if I remember it correctly. And just recently I was successful in buying a 1919 RIA NM rifle - life is good!

[Rick the Librarian]

It would be nice to get a RIA NM but I think my "expensive rifle buying days" may be behind me.

[Fred]

Don't forget that the 1919 and 1920 National Match rifles that weren't sold to military officers were dismantled and their NM parts were used for the next years NM rifles.
That's why there aren't a lot of them left.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

.... the pre-1921 National Match rifles were not available for sale. But they were National Match rifles in the tradition of the post-1921 rifles....J.B.

Like I have stated previously stated, I know little about the NM's. Considering the statement above, how do you explain the excerpt below?

jt

[John Beard]

Like I have stated previously stated, I know little about the NM's. Considering the statement above, how do you explain the excerpt below?

jt

The pre-WWI NM rifles were not available for sale through the DCM. But persons with the right political connections, however, could acquire one who, in most cases, would be qualified military shooting team members. John Hession was a famous member of a military shooting team who had lots of the right connections!

J.B.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

The pre-WWI NM rifles were not available for sale through the DCM. But persons with the right political connections, however, could acquire one who, in most cases, would be qualified military shooting team members. John Hession was a famous member of a military shooting team who had lots of the right connections!

J.B.

I was jerking your chain a bit, John. I agree with you that USMC team shooters could have pretty much what they wanted, especially if Capt Fay was involved, and he was. The Corps is infamous for never giving anything back.

jt

[Paul-In-Oregon]

You might've already read about how I got it then, but just in case you haven't, I bought that back in 1981 at the Marine Corps Supply Depot in Barstow from over the counter for $5.00 after noticing it hanging up on the wall directly behind the Supply Sergeant with a for sale tag on it. I asked him how much for it and he told me $5.00.
I was there with another Lt. from Ft. Irwin, picking up something from the Marines there to take back to our unit in the 1/73 Armor.
While I was in doing business with the Marine Sgt, the 1st Lt. that had come into town with me, an ex cop, stuck his head in the door and told me he was getting a ride back to the Fort with somebody else so to not bother looking for him. He told me he'd see me later back in the Motor Pool where he was going to be busy. I found him in the Motor Pool when I drove my jeep back, detailing identification numbers onto a freshly desert tan painted jeep that he told me he'd stolen from out front of the Marine Corp Supply Company where it'd been parked. That guy had some balls! He'd driven it through the desert, over Coyote Lake, and into the back gate of the Motor Pool. He obtained that jeep for his company use out and around the desert during our war excersizes.
Anyway, I guess he pulled one over on the Marines that day. I got my rifle case, the Army got another jeep and the USMC got my $5.00.

Hey Fred, I guess you guys made a small dent in making up for all the Jeeps & Garand's those Gyrenes "appropriated" from the Army during WW2 !! My uncle was one of the culprits . . . :-)

It might take a few thousand more times to get even !

I was a swabby. Those guys have gotten to us too a thousand times over the years too. God Bless them.

We're all on the same team.

Best regards,

Paul
Paul-In-Oregon
Klamath Falls, Oregon

[Paul-In-Oregon]

BTW, I just rejoined the forum tonite after several 7 years of absence. I was pretty regular from 2004 - 2009. Happy to be back. Got a lot of catch up to do. Very sorry to hear of those that have passed since I was last here, and very grateful for those that have joined since !!

Best to all,
Paul

[Rick the Librarian]

Glad to have you back - welcome!

[Fred]

Hi Paul. Yea, I never thought of it like that. But I guess that's right. Lol. I'll bet they looked everywhere in and around Barstow for that jeep. I guess nobody thought about looking on the Army post.

[Paul-In-Oregon]

Glad to have you back - welcome!

Good to hear from you Rick. Still north of me in Washington ?

Looks like you've still got my favorite afghan !!

Best regards,
Paul

[Rick the Librarian]

Good to hear from you Rick. Still north of me in Washington ?

Looks like you've still got my favorite afghan !!

Best regards,
Paul

Yep, moved a little ways, but still in the same general area.

RtL