Early A4 on GB

[Mike D]

Someone might snatch this one up. Looks like one of the early C-stocks to me. "Battle-scarred", but I kinda like it. Looks like it's been through rebuild, the barrel seems too late for the serial #.

Question - When an A4 went through rebuild, and received a new barrel, did it get a new "A4" barrel, or an A3 barrel with sight base removed?

What other parts are not "original"? WWII 1903 Springfield 1903A4 Sniper Rifle M73B1 : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com

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[John Beard]

Someone might snatch this one up. Looks like one of the early C-stocks to me. "Battle-scarred", but I kinda like it. Looks like it's been through rebuild, the barrel seems too late for the serial #.

Question - When an A4 went through rebuild, and received a new barrel, did it get a new "A4" barrel, or an A3 barrel with sight base removed?

What other parts are not "original"? WWII 1903 Springfield 1903A4 Sniper Rifle M73B1 : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com

(1) An '03-A4 received a replacement A4 barrel if one was available. And in most cases, spare A4 barrels were available at facilities that overhauled '03-A4 rifles.

(2) The buttplate and bolt sleeve/firing pin assembly has been replaced.

J.B.

[JGaynor]

The magazine box/trigger guard assembly was also replaced. The scope is a late model M73B1.

Regards,

Jim

[John Beard]

The magazine box/trigger guard assembly was also replaced.

Regards,

Jim

Are you sure? The trigger guard looks original to me. Refinished perhaps.

J.B.

[Mike Haas]

Are you sure? It looks original to me. Refinished perhaps.

J.B.

JB - I'll not comment on the TG but JGaynor is correct about the scope appearing to be a late model M73B1 except its a parts scope since it doesn't have a serial # engraved on the Data Plate. (Pic # 4)
Also in Picture # 10 you can see where the scope tube is stamped/engraved with "Serial" followed by a partial engraved series of numbers, typical of an earlier Type 1 or 2 scope marking, not a type 3 (late) M73B1.

Mike Haas

[John Beard]

JB - I'll not comment on the TG but JGaynor is correct about the scope appearing to be a late model M73B1 except its a parts scope since it doesn't have a serial # engraved on the Data Plate. (Pic # 4)
Also in Picture # 10 you can see where the scope tube is stamped/engraved with "Serial" followed by a partial engraved series of numbers, typical of an earlier Type 1 or 2 scope marking, not a type 3 (late) M73B1.

Mike Haas

My comment was with regard to the trigger guard. Please pardon my lack of clarity. I have edited my posting.

J.B.

[JGaynor]

John, i believe an A4 with an S/N that low would date to about March or April 43 and should therefore have a small bow TG. i agree with your comments regarding the wear and overall appearance.
Some of the other rifles in my data in that s/n range also have Large bow guards but they have other indications of a rebuild such as depot stock markings and/or early 1944 barrels.

Regards,

Jim

[John Beard]

John, i believe an A4 with an S/N that low would date to about March or April 43 and should therefore have a small bow TG. i agree with your comments regarding the wear and overall appearance.
Some of the other rifles in my data in that s/n range also have Large bow guards but they have other indications of a rebuild such as depot stock markings and/or early 1944 barrels.

Regards,

Jim

You are correct. I stand corrected. My comment was based on the barrel date. I should have paid closer attention to the serial number. The rifle has apparently been re-barreled, probably during overhaul.

Thanks for the correction!

J.B.

[Chuckindenver]

rebuilt rifle, barrel, trigger guard, stock, scope, and a few other bands ect are replaced. however, fair price for a complete A4

[JGaynor]

rebuilt rifle, barrel, trigger guard, stock, scope, and a few other bands ect are replaced. however, fair price for a complete A4

Be interesting to see if the auction breaks the "buy it now" price. i wish there were better pics of the stock markings.

Regards,

Jim