1903A4

[browningautorifle]

I have a $4000 rifle that someone turned into a $300 rifle

Nice! Excellent choice...

[JGaynor]

I've heard (maybe Jim can confirm) that most of these rifles were sold sans optics. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the scope was obtained and mounted later. Even the ones that came with optics were sold with the scope dismounted...or so I've heard.

---------- Post added at 08:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:39 PM ----------



Thanks for all the A4 information, Jim.

I did not see a sliding metal sunshade on my rifle.

Where would the drawing numbers likely appear on the scope?

There are letters stamped on the stock near the mag cutoff. Can you identify what they are?

I would love to see some pics of your A4.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ISMQjpg1-1.jpg

Many of the a4's were prepared for longterm storage after being rebuilt. In other words dipped in cosmoline. Scopes were typically stored in weather/moisture resistant boxes or bags either from Weaver or post rebuild. The A4's that I have seen from DCM sales all came without scopes. My personal A4 came in a batch or rifles from Thailand, probably Siamese Mausers. It did not have a scope or rings.

GI drawing numbers on M81/M82 Scopes appear in several spots. On the Caps for the W&E knobs and base of the W/E turret. Also i believe on the retiring rings for the lenses and on the interior of the rubber eyecup.

I have not seen letter stamps on the left side of the rifle like yours before. Not sure of the meaning.

---------- Post added at 02:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:19 PM ----------

As always Jim great info on the 1903 A4. I think you need to write a book on them so that we have all the information long term.

Thanks for the kind words however i don't think I have a book in me.

Most of what i know i have gleaned from published sources:

Bill Hansen "Snipers, Snarls and Snafus" The Journal Of the Remington Society of America (fall 20040

Clark Campbell "The '03 Springfield Era" 2003

and a number of others

[Calfed]

Thanks, Jim.

I'll look the scope over carefully when I bring the rifle home.

[mrclark303]

Even worse!

I have a $4000 rifle that someone turned into a $300 rifle...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../m4d8dmM-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../wrNvJ3F-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../InhORyu-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../zNsRndM-1.jpg

---------- Post added at 03:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:18 PM ----------



The Alaskan on my new one is in good shape and the optics are clear and sharp. I've never looked through a Weaver 330, but if it is anything like my Weaver J 2.5 (which I think was the successor to the 330 series), they had to have been inferior to the Lyman's.

I have to say that is a very pretty classic sporting conversion though, lovely stock, I bet she shoots well.

When I take my Sniper build to the range here in the UK, (not a common rifle here) people are always very pleasantly surprised by the crisp sight picture and how well the little Lyman works with the rifle.

[Calif-Steve]

In the 1950's converting GI rifles into hunting rifles was common. People would have not thought twice about such work. Sad but true.

[mrclark303]

I guess in the 50's it wasn't a classic rifle, just an old cheap surplus rifle ripe for a new life as a sporter.

Here in the UK, original Lee Enfield No4T snipers served as the basis for target rifle conversions right into the 1980's.

[Calfed]

Thanks, mrclark. The sported A4 is a good shooter. The barrel was just as highly polished as the reat of the rifle, so there are no marks left. However, it may be the original barrel--it still has the front sight millings, so it is at least a military barrel and has not been cut.