+ Reply to Thread
Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 LastLast
Results 21 to 30 of 32

Thread: On the Range with 1903's

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #21
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Texasflyboy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    04-28-2010 @ 12:01 PM
    Posts
    28
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:06 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Bolo Badge View Post
    After reviewing LTC Brophy's book I think the second rifle may be a Winchester Type I sniper rifle. If so it would date the photo to circa 1922.
    If you can date the photo to circa 1922, then I would ask:

    1. How many USMC bases in the continental USAicon existed in 1922? What were the geographic locations of same? By process of elimination, eliminate those bases that are known to not fit the profile of the photo (topography, flora, etc...)

    2. How many 1,000 yard military rifle ranges existed at that time? Cross reference against #1.

    That should narrow the suspects to less than 10, maybe less than 5 locations that might fit the photo.

    My .02

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    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.
     

  3. #22
    Legacy Member Bolo Badge's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    07-26-2023 @ 09:49 AM
    Location
    SC
    Posts
    54
    Real Name
    Michael Collum
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:06 AM
    Using the maxium magnification available to me I can make out what I believe to be the words "National Brass" and "Hastings" on the ammunition box seen in the foreground. Using "Google" I find that there was a "National Brass and Copper Tube Company" in Hastings-on-the-Hudson, NY. They were a major supplier of ammunition during WWI. They are noted in "Hatcher's Notebook" as being the maker of the ammuniton being used when a few low numbered M1903 rifles failed.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #23
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Wyo96's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    11-15-2012 @ 11:26 PM
    Posts
    12
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:06 AM
    Nice game we're playing here. Based off of their riding boots and what Jim pointed out as being mesquite trees (Southwest USAicon), I would say it's a cavalry unit in Texas maybe...

  6. #24
    Advisory Panel Jim Tarleton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-15-2023 @ 06:15 PM
    Location
    Burgaw Swamp, North Carolina
    Posts
    930
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:06 AM
    Thread Starter

    Cool More Photos

    This is a second photo taken of the same firing line and shooters as the 1st photo. We think the range may be Camp Dix, but we are not certain.

    This photo shows the 2nd rifleman's rifle from a better vantage point. It is an S stock, two bolt rifle with no handguard, a long barrel with no finish or front sight, a mounted Winchester A5 scope on Marine bases and in #2 mounts, and what appears to be some odd trigger attachment which isn't crystal clear in this low resolution photo. There is a pad attached to the bottom of the stock grip, and something attached to the trigger guard or trigger.

    The 1st soldier has a second rifle not obvious in the first photo. It is beneath the ammo box to his right. It has a Winchester A5 scope mounted on it also. I find it very odd that he would treat the rifle in this manner.

    The second photo is a poor resolution crop showing the 2nd shooter's rifle.

    Comments welcomed.

    Jim
    *********************************

    "Me. All the rest are deados!"

    67th Company, 5th Marines 1st Sgt. Daniel "Pop" Hunter's response to 1st Lt. Jonas Platt's query "Who is your Commander"?, Torcy side of Hill 142, Belleau Wood, 8:00 am, 6 Jun 1918.

    Semper Fidelis!

  7. #25
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last On
    09-02-2018 @ 08:20 AM
    Location
    Bavaria, Germany
    Posts
    1,657
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    10:06 AM
    Hi Jim, thought this pic is alittle better but it seems not so.

    Regards

    Gunner
    Last edited by gunner; 10-15-2009 at 04:47 AM.

  8. #26
    Advisory Panel Jim Tarleton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-15-2023 @ 06:15 PM
    Location
    Burgaw Swamp, North Carolina
    Posts
    930
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:06 AM
    Thread Starter
    Gunner,

    I was hoping someone could tell me what kind of trigger attachment that is. The original picture doesn't have enough resolution to isolate it clearly. I looked at it in alternate colors, and it appears to have something like a watch fob hanging from the trigger.

    I don't quite grasp the block under the grip's purpose. Maybe one of the dedicated paper punchers or collectors of weird trigger attachments (I wonder who might that be, heh Gary?) might weigh in.

    I think those first two shooters might have been serious competitors. I also think their scopes may be Stevens scopes. The second shooter is wearing shades!

    Jim
    *********************************

    "Me. All the rest are deados!"

    67th Company, 5th Marines 1st Sgt. Daniel "Pop" Hunter's response to 1st Lt. Jonas Platt's query "Who is your Commander"?, Torcy side of Hill 142, Belleau Wood, 8:00 am, 6 Jun 1918.

    Semper Fidelis!

  9. #27
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    gunner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Last On
    09-02-2018 @ 08:20 AM
    Location
    Bavaria, Germany
    Posts
    1,657
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    10:06 AM
    Jim,
    the wood piece on the rifle seems to me that he mount this becuase he has larger hands. If you take a look at his hand on the forestock you can see that the hand is not the smallest. That with the watch fob can be it in deed.
    I read about target shooting a while ago and there the author (?) wrote, that he used a cord with a woodend piece to pull the trigger because it will be more evenly than pull with the finger.

  10. #28
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    rollins74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    10-13-2012 @ 07:10 PM
    Posts
    18
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:06 AM
    From a scan of the original photo from Bolo Badge, here are some details of the pad on the stock grip and the object below the trigger guard.
    Last edited by Badger; 02-20-2011 at 01:55 PM.

  11. #29
    Advisory Panel Jim Tarleton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    03-15-2023 @ 06:15 PM
    Location
    Burgaw Swamp, North Carolina
    Posts
    930
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:06 AM
    Thread Starter
    Second shooter's rifle:

    1. Full length S stock
    2. Cut down grip area with block attached
    3. "Watch fob" is due to rifle shadow, nothing attached to trigger
    4. Winchester A5 scope in Marine mounts, with rear base on front receiver bridge (7.2" spacing)
    5. Barrel appears to be longer than 24.2" and unfinished
    6. Shooter is wearing shades (cool and safe)
    7. Stock may be a single bolt, as I can't detect a front bolt
    8. Only rear band is attached, no front band
    9. Appears to be US Army Infantry
    10. Shooting from 1000 yard marker
    11. MAY be Camp Dix, NJ

    Comments?

    Jim
    *********************************

    "Me. All the rest are deados!"

    67th Company, 5th Marines 1st Sgt. Daniel "Pop" Hunter's response to 1st Lt. Jonas Platt's query "Who is your Commander"?, Torcy side of Hill 142, Belleau Wood, 8:00 am, 6 Jun 1918.

    Semper Fidelis!

  12. #30
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    rollins74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    10-13-2012 @ 07:10 PM
    Posts
    18
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:06 AM
    The location could well be Camp Dix, NJ. Another photo in this group indicates that it was taken at Camp Dix. In the opinion of a Texas A&M horticulture professor, none of the trees in the background appear to be mesquites.

    Using measurements of the second shooter's rifle (from scanned photo) relative to the dimensions of my own M1903, I calculate the overall length of his rifle to be 6.5 inches longer than a standard '03 rifle. Assuming standard stock length (from triggerguard to buttstock, at least), that would make the barrel length approximately 30.5 inches.

    Calculations:
    My rifle: 43.375" (overall length) and 14" (top corner of buttstock to middle of bolt handle base)
    Shooter #2's rifle: 228 mm (overall length) and 64 mm (top corner of buttstock to middle of bolt handle base)
    Shooter #2's rifle overall length = (14/64)(228) = 49.875"

+ Reply to Thread
Page 3 of 4 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. NEW TO 1903's
    By STYER in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 07-08-2009, 09:27 AM
  2. Low # RIA 1903's at south store
    By MIL rifle1 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 06-25-2009, 06:09 AM
  3. Pre WWII 1903's
    By Loy Hamilton in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-18-2009, 05:19 PM
  4. Rock Island 1903's
    By KenK in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 03-07-2009, 09:31 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
Raven Rocks