+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: M1903 National Match or Clone?

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member 1srelluc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last On
    07-20-2020 @ 08:17 PM
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Posts
    18
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:38 PM

    M1903 National Match or Clone?

    I picked-up a NM configured M1903 rifle today. I gave a clone price for it ($500) and would like some opinions.

    I figure that at best it's some type of "rescue".

    First off it does not have a star gauged barrel and the 1938 barrel does not match up with the serial....About three years off.

    Serial # 1472256

    Evidently it had Unertl blocks on it at one time.

    https://i.postimg.cc/9fgjJvWT/DSCN8818-2.jpg

    Lyman 48C rear, Lyman front sights.

    https://i.postimg.cc/76phQCxg/DSCN8821-2.jpg
    https://i.postimg.cc/7LJytKbW/DSCN8833-2.jpg

    Rear sight base marking:

    https://i.postimg.cc/MHQMW7sP/DSCN8826-2.jpg

    Stock markings and butt-plate.

    https://i.postimg.cc/MpKRhFkt/DSCN8823-2.jpg

    https://i.postimg.cc/YCZ9bntv/DSCN8828-2.jpg

    https://i.postimg.cc/dtzPfzTc/DSCN8835.jpg

    https://i.postimg.cc/Zqs1r2mQ/DSCN8827-2.jpg

    Bolt markings.

    https://i.postimg.cc/dtz39NsL/DSCN8819-2.jpg

    Polishing:

    https://i.postimg.cc/MTVJqtkr/DSCN8825-2.jpg

    The rifle.

    https://i.postimg.cc/j5KZnhw1/DSCN8834-2.jpg
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. Thank You to 1srelluc For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Contributing Member rcathey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last On
    09-02-2024 @ 08:28 PM
    Location
    St. Louis, MO Area
    Posts
    1,645
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:38 PM
    That’s a hell of a price even for a fake.
    Interested hear what the experts say.

  5. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  6. #3
    Legacy Member 1srelluc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last On
    07-20-2020 @ 08:17 PM
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Posts
    18
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:38 PM
    Thread Starter
    It's looking like it's a former USMC Special Target Sniper converted to a service rifle competition rifle.

  7. #4
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Europe
    Posts
    1,862
    Local Date
    11-01-2024
    Local Time
    12:38 AM
    It surely seems to has USMC provenance. Will ask Steve to give his opinion.

    Edit: would you possibly post additional pictures of your rifle, showing the recoil lugs on bottom of the receiver, the inletting for the rear scope base inside the stock, as well as the magazine guard from top? Is there a small mark (like an indent) on bottom where the two holes are on the barrel?
    Last edited by Promo; 05-23-2019 at 04:05 AM.

  8. #5
    Legacy Member 1srelluc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Last On
    07-20-2020 @ 08:17 PM
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Posts
    18
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:38 PM
    Thread Starter
    Promo.....I've took it apart twice for pics so you will have to use those I took.

    I did take pics of the marks under the scope block holes when I had it down as i knew that was one of the things to look for.





    The trigger guard screws were staked as were the fixing screws on the Lyman sight.


  9. #6
    Legacy Member cplstevennorton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    06-28-2024 @ 10:18 PM
    Location
    Van Wert, OH
    Age
    44
    Posts
    376
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:38 PM
    I made this comment on the CMPicon forum.

    But I think you have a National Match that was sent to the Marines as a Marine team rifle. Even though the stock has a 5, I believe this was most likely in the 1936 NM order to the Marines, possibly the 1937 shipment. But I just have a hunch it was 1936. But when the barrel was worn out at the end of a NM season the Marines re-barreled it and made it a Marine Special target.

    Then it was converted to a Unertl Sniper rifle post Jan 1943.

    Then at some point later it was built into this configuration. Which they always stamp the last four of the serial on the stock and handguard like this. Then they parked the whole bolt and clean off one little spot to electro pencil them. I haven't figured out for sure who did this, or why. But my speculation it might have been Raritan and post when the Unertl was declared obsolete and released to the Army. But I can't prove it. But I know of about a dozen of these. Some have the RA-P on the stock. One has a sales document to LetterKenny in the 50's. But all seem to be made from former Marine team or Sniper parts.

    I would love to know if the Marines built them into configuration and just released them to the Army, or the Army did some work on these as well.

    But congrats again! That is one rare rifle!

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Springfield M1903 National Match Special?
    By martin08 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 08-07-2015, 04:46 PM
  2. 1920 dating M1903 National Match rifle
    By Promo in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 10-11-2013, 11:13 PM
  3. M1903-A1 Springfield Sniper Clone
    By Jason60chev in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 12-10-2011, 10:34 AM
  4. M1903 National Match serial number?
    By mjackson in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-28-2011, 10:47 PM
  5. National Match, International Match? Need help!
    By 404tbang in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 04-27-2010, 10:27 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts