USMC 1941A1 serial numbers

[Randy A]

Is there any way to confirm by serial number that a 1903A1NM was used by the USMC as a 1941A1?
I've got 1498692, it has been sporterized and came from the same neighborhood as the pictured item below. Which was the actual case, a gentleman came in to a local gun smith years ago and wanted the rifle he brought sporterized,,, no I'm not BSing anybody, he had the guy sporterize a 1941A1, changed the barrel too. Problem is, no record of what the serial number was, the smith passed away and his brother does not remember the name of the customer. I've known these guys my whole life, they really didn't give a @#%& about records and usually traded work for a quarter of beef or something.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Some of the forum members keep records of rifles and scopes that show up at gun shows and auctions, etc. I keep records of M1913's and M1908's and Winchester A5's. I guess it is time to branch out.

Someone will chime in if you are lucky. I know of no official comprehensive government/military record of serial numbers for M1941A1's.

jt

[Randy A]

Thank you

[da gimp]

might try for a SRS hit,......... ya never know.....

Added: ask over on the 1903 board on your serial # & model, some of the guys that hang out there have those records.

[Steve Preston]

Hi Randy,

As Jim mentioned, I'm one of hte guys that keeps records on the 1903A1 USMC Snipers, and your serrial number does fall pretty close to a range of known USMC snipers, so it is possible that you could have one, however I would need to see more than just the serial number in order to tell you if it is possible that you have one. Unfortunately, the barrel is part of the modifications made to the rifle by the Marines when they were converted over to Snipers, but the receiver, bolt, trigger guard, and stock also have some unique charactistics that also help identify it so if you could submit more pictures of your rifle, I might be able to give you a better idea of what you have. I can PM you my e-mail address if you are interested, so you can forward pictures, or use the forum to post is fine also.

As Jim mentioned, you should check SRS records to see if your serial number shows up or not as a good start. If it does show up in there, it is probably not a USMC sniper unless it is identified as such, and would be a Civilian sales rifle, so it is a place to start. I'm out of town at the moment, however I will look up your serial number when I get home and check it against my saved serial number data base and let you know what I find out. More pictures would be helpful.

Take care,

Steve

Is there any way to confirm by serial number that a 1903A1NM was used by the USMC as a 1941A1?
I've got 1498692, it has been sporterized and came from the same neighborhood as the pictured item below. Which was the actual case, a gentleman came in to a local gun smith years ago and wanted the rifle he brought sporterized,,, no I'm not BSing anybody, he had the guy sporterize a 1941A1, changed the barrel too. Problem is, no record of what the serial number was, the smith passed away and his brother does not remember the name of the customer. I've known these guys my whole life, they really didn't give a @#%& about records and usually traded work for a quarter of beef or something.

[Randy A]

Thanks guys, after getting some time to check it over I discovered thet the barrel is original and there are no mount block holes. I didn't think the barrel was GI, but I found the tips of 4-37 right at the end of the muzzle and a C3139 start gage stamp closer to action. I did do an SRS check quite some time ago, although not list, it is in a group of NM's including 1498693 (rifle made right beside it). I have no doubt it was one, serialized bolt (yeah, that got the handle turned too) serrated trigger, star gaged barrel etc. The Springfield C stock is still on it, but got butchered, no butt plate left either, it has a rubber "boot" pad. Darn,,,,

Anyhow, I'm not into this very much I am going to restore it, specially since it hasn't been polished. I have a new in the wrap USMC marked Sedgley barrel (yes, it's straight) that I will put on. If the hole spacing on the ring is right I will do the 1941A1 thing with it. I know that a 4-37 star gaged barrel isn't going to fall in my lap and that the Sedgley barrel is later dated than actual USMC contract, but I think that's all I'm going to find.

[Ls6man]

Is Big Larry still around? He would be the guy to talk to on these rifles. He helped me document a rifle about 14 years ago...great guy.

greg

[1903shooter]

Randy, Here are the rifles that are listed by SRS. As you can see your rifle is not listed, but that could be a good thing. It shows that it was NOT a DCM sales rifle, so there is a strong chance it was issued. It doesn't prove that it was issued to the USMC and converted by them into a Sniper rifle. But it very well may have been.

1498652A1NM 032338DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498657A1NM 091537DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498659A1NM 121637DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498664A1NM 012738DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498667A1NM 091537DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498669A1NM 091037DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498673NM 0928391939 NM (SALE)
1498685A1NM 091537DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498693A1NM 070937DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498695A1NM 090639DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498699A1NM 030438DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1498721A1NM 090439DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

Is there any way to confirm by serial number that a 1903A1NM was used by the USMC as a 1941A1?
I've got 1498692, it has been sporterized and came from the same neighborhood as the pictured item below. Which was the actual case, a gentleman came in to a local gun smith years ago and wanted the rifle he brought sporterized,,, no I'm not BSing anybody, he had the guy sporterize a 1941A1, changed the barrel too. Problem is, no record of what the serial number was, the smith passed away and his brother does not remember the name of the customer. I've known these guys my whole life, they really didn't give a @#%& about records and usually traded work for a quarter of beef or something.

[Nate]

Is Big Larry still around? He would be the guy to talk to on these rifles. He helped me document a rifle about 14 years ago...great guy.

greg

Larry had an extensive list of rifles he personally verified as snipers. If I can find my copy I'll post it.