CMP Sniper Rifle 1903 eligibility?

[RBruce]

Is only the 1941 sniper version of the 1903 Springfield eligible for the CMP sniper match? Does this statement limit the serial number range, or just the configuration?

Also, the listing of legal scopes for the 1941 model ends with the sentence "Any scope up to 8X with an objective lens no larger than 1.5" with external adjustment only." Can I take this literally? I have a scope that fits the description. It has no manufacturers name on it. It is marked 8X and some yardage marks. --TIA

Information

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[JGaynor]

i believe they will allow you to mount a Winchester A5, Lyman 5A or a reasonable facisimile on an M1903. Also you could, I supose, put together a Warner Swazey M1908 or M1913.

The Winchester A5 was actually used in combat to some degree in WW1 and in the early days of WW2 before being diverted mainly to a piece for training snipers.

This is a list from a recent CMP forum post:

1903 Springfield (1941) Any Unertl 6X or 8X with 1 – 1.5”
objective, Lyman Junior Target spot 6X
or 8X, Leatherwood Malcom 3X or 6X,
Winchester A5, Lyman 5A. Any scope
up to 8X with an objective no larger
than 1.5” with external adjustments
only. No recoil springs on scopes.

One would logically conclude that any vintage scope that conforms to the magnification, objective lens diameter and has external adjustments (e.g. Fecker etc.) would comply. probably the best thing to do is obtain a ruliong in advance from the organizers.


Regards,

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

The Winchester A5 was used extensively by the Marines in WWI, as well as the French, Brits and Canadians, and there is some evidence that the Army used many of them. Later it was used in Nicaragua by the Marines during the Banana Wars. It has a long and glorious history in combat from France to the Pacific.

Jim

[Rick H.]

There are some very interesting and in-depth discussions going on at CMP with the "rules" governing this competition. The rules committee will be meeting in March to hash all this out. In short, some want the rules to be very specific and ONLY allow authentic equipment that was used in a combat theatre. I guess this depends on what one decides is authentic. They feel that just because a picture of an 03A4 with an Weaver K-2/3 mounted on it wouldn't make the cut because it was never actually used in a combat A.O. A too stern a ruling could mean that only real A4's and G.I. issued scopes and mounts could be used. Others want period correct equipment and would allow reproduction items and "clone" A4 rifles. A lot of people will be interested in the outcome of the meetings.

Rick

[JGaynor]

"The rules committee will be meeting in March to hash all this out. In short, some want the rules to be very specific and ONLY allow authentic equipment that was used in a combat theatre."

I suspect a lot of would be competitors have already assembled their "clones" for this years match. In any case, requiring the use of original equipment (at least original optics ) will kill these matches in the cradle. Old scopes do not get better with the passage of time and the really rare ones are virtually unrepairable. i doubt many collectors will want to risk original pieces shooting in a match.

Basically i think the organizers are on the right track trying to level the playing field in terms in terms of magnification and vintage. The list of approved combinations needs some work. Certain combainations that should be there are not and some nomenclature errors are perpetuated. but hey thats jus me .

Regards,

Jim