USMC Springfield 1903 Sniper

[artie78]

Help,

I recently purchased a 1903 Springfield Rifle Serial # 1257883. It was represented as a USMC Sniper Rifle. There is a DAL Cartouche on the stock, and a front Unertl type metal scope mount in the forward part of the stock. It now has an unmarked scope with mounts that say (Weaver Detachable Top-1"). The Barrel says SA then 7-23 with the flaming bomb. There is a P on the pistol grip. The bolt has the serial number electropencilled on it, and the round end is flat and checkerred towards the trigger. The seller said it was brought back by a veteran. I trust the guy, but have heard this a million times. Please share with me the best way to verify the authenticity of the rifle.

Thank You,

Art

[Johnny in Texas]

Pics would help a lot good close ups

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Hmmmm. Please post some pictures.

jt

[artie78]

I am happy to e-mail anyone pictures. having trouble getting mine to download. Contact me at: artenteman@insightbb.com.

Thank you

[Herschel]

Even though it is not listed in my SRS data, serial number 1257883 falls in the midst of numerous National Match 1903 Rifles. Since USMC Sniper 1903's were made from NM Rifles, this gives some circumstantial evidence that your rifle might be a USMC Sniper.

[artie78]

I read a post by The Librarian in another forum that said the National Match Rifles have the serial number stamped in the stock. I couldn't find that anywhere. Could it have been re stocked? I checked some of my other Springfields. The ball on the end of their bolts is round. This one is round, but flat and checkerred towards the body of the gun. Is that common?

[Johnny in Texas]

Many real NM 1903 Springfield rifles were converted to Fake USMC snipers by people like Peter Cardone and others many years ago. So even if it is a real NM rifle that just means it could be a better fake than most.

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

Your rifle is a NM rifle whose SN falls within a large group of USMC NM rifles, which doesn't mean it is a USMC NM rifle. The serial number pretty much excludes it from being a Unertl mounted USMC sniper rifle. I have seen no pictures of your rifle, and from your description, read nothing that indicates it might be a sniper rifle.

Believe the rifle, not the story; ie. how would the seller know it was used in two wars? Clairvoyance?

jt

[artie78]

The seller only said Korea. I speculated based on the appearance of the scope block, that the rifle was used in WWII. I was produced in 1923. Wouldn't it be odd to have set out of WWII when they needed every weapon they could get? I guess it could have been in someones rack some where. The block could have been added later I guess. It has a crescent shaped indentation on the upper,center of the block on the bolt side. Looks like a scope moumt was tightened up to it at one time or another. I guess I just need to get it in front of an expert. Wish I could get pictures to upload. Anyone know a good reference person in the Louisville,Ky Area?

Thanks

[DMark]

If there was ever a thread that needed pictures - - - This Is It!

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

The seller only said Korea. I speculated based on the appearance of the scope block, that the rifle was used in WWII. I was produced in 1923. Wouldn't it be odd to have set out of WWII when they needed every weapon they could get? I guess it could have been in someones rack some where. The block could have been added later I guess. It has a crescent shaped indentation on the upper,center of the block on the bolt side. Looks like a scope moumt was tightened up to it at one time or another. I guess I just need to get it in front of an expert. Wish I could get pictures to upload. Anyone know a good reference person in the Louisville,Ky Area? Thanks

The vast majority of 1903's "sat out" WWII and Korea, so your rifle sitting out the war would be a normal event. As for the scope blocks, I have several 1903's with those bases mounted, and not one of them is a USMC sniper rifle. As for experts, you have the foremost experts in the USA on this forum, and all of them are willing to help you. Post pictures so they can see what you want them to judge as fake or real. You will get a fair and honest appraisal of your rifle.

I am a data collector, and I record the serial numbers and descriptions of military scoped 1903's, including a large number of the USMC Unertl scoped 1903's, and your serial number is nowhere near them. I do not claim to have them all recorded, but for yours to be one of that elite group, it would be an oddity indeed. I wish you luck in your search, as I always wanted one myself; but alas, I am but a poor man. If I can help, let me know.

jt

[JWM]

Here are some pictures of a Winchester A5 USMC Sniper Scope with it's blocks:

[keith smart]

I guess I just need to get it in front of an expert. Wish I could get pictures to upload. Anyone know a good reference person in the Louisville,Ky Area

National Gun Day, Louisville, KY 22 june

[jgaynor]

I guess I just need to get it in front of an expert. Wish I could get pictures to upload. Anyone know a good reference person in the Louisville,Ky Area

National Gun Day, Louisville, KY 22 june

If you email your pics to me I will post them for you. PM me thru the forum and i will send you my direct email address.

Jim

[chuckindenver]

pics are a must..old saying...pics or it didnt happen