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Hello cplnorton - I was hoping to send you a private message in regards to this thread, but apparently your inbox is full and can't receive any more messages. Are you still around?
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Maj. Becker was a SSS instructor at Deer Point. As such, he would have been given one of the earliest issued SSS rifles (April of 1918). Some of the original instructors were issued rifles from the 150 lot Niedner did, but not all of them. One instructor changed rifles at least three times during his tenure. It would not be unusual that Maj. Becker kept his rifle after the war due to his close association with the Marine Corps rifle team, as the shooters could have just about any rifle and scope they desired. He may have purchased them at his own expense. I thought I sent you the documentation for Maj. Becker a year or so ago. The scope may have been changed many times.Comment
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I don't come over to this forum a lot because it seems to be about dead. But you can write me here or email too at cplnorton2@yahoo.com. I cleared out my inbox.Comment
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A bit more light would sure help when viewing your pictures.
By now you must know you own a very rare, and very valuable, set of armaments. At auction, they would garner enough cash to buy a new Mercedes. You do realize you can follow Maj. Becker's entire Marine career through the Muster Rolls on Ancestry.com? There is no mystery as to who he was. The scoped rifle is invaluable. Since Maj. Becker was a lifer and a paper puncher, it has probably undergone numerous changes, modifications, and adjustments; which was not unusual at all for paper punchers. It appears to have its original barrel. It is a shame he did not retain the original A5 scope and Penquin scope case issued to him with the rifle. You own a verifiable WWI Marine sniper rifle that can be traced. Get a copy of his service records, cost is $60. You will see he was issued that rifle in early 1918 at GITMO. You don't need any BS speculation from any of us, as you will have the complete paper trial. Do it.
Maj. Becker wasn't any run of the mill Marine. He was a player. Only the best shots in the Marines held the stations he did. He was picked by Maj. Fay to be a sniper school instructor at GITMO, the first Marine sniper school. He later went to OSD as a sniper school instructor when OSD opened its doors to trainees. He went Distinguished (rifle) in 1920, which puts him in the same league as shooters like Hathcock and McIlhanney. The fact that he was the owner of these rifles adds significant value to them.
Good luck. I would like to see a closeup of the shrouded serial number if you can get the lighting under control. Just remember - those rifles will only appreciate in value.Comment
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here is a very good tutorial on taking photo's of firearma (or just about anything)
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