Questions on Springfield M1903 with Weaver 330 scope

[cardincal]

Hey all,
I am new here and I have a few questions on my grandfathers rifle that was recently given to me.
It appears to be a Springfield US Armory M1903 SN 1536035. The barrel is 22in from the receiver to the tip and has the RA stamp on the end with a date of 7-43. There are no grooves for a sight. It currently has a Bishop sporter stock with a pistol grip.
The scope is a Weaver 330 with pencil engraving on the side "telescope M73B1 Serial #10616" it is mounted on a Redfield mount.
The rifle appears to be in great condition to my greenhorn eye, with no rust or scratches on the barrel or scope. The stock is in really good shape with a small scratch below the bolt.
My questions are: could the barrel be original to the receiver? I cannot find any info on any forums regarding Springfield receivers with a SN in that range. and with the scope having the military markings, could this receiver and barrel been converted to a sniper rifle during the war?
My last question to the group is, with the shortened barrel, would it be possible/worth it to convert it back to an original "C" stock?

Thank you all in advance for your help,
Charlie

Information

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[Salt Flat]

1939 receiver. A "C" stock would be nice but the short barrel would look odd. I think I would find an original 03 barrel to go with it. It might all add up though to too much money to invest in a rifle that has been drilled and tapped. Salt Flat

[Chuckindenver]

no, it was never a sniper rifle.
what i would do, is sell the M73B1, and you will have enough money to buy an unmodified 1903.
and likely a better scope.
your receiver was one the last ones made.
Barrel is off a 1903A3, and wasnt installed by the Military.
correct barrel date would be 38 or 39.

[Neal Myers]

There are 2 types of Weaver 330 scopes: those with click adjustments (330C), & those with screw adjustments (330S). While there is documentation that 330C scopes were used on the earliest 1903A4 rifles, it is unlikely any 330S scopes were used. (Most soldiers didn't have a screwdriver.) It is also likely that few, if any, USGI issued 330 scopes survived WW2, &, if so, they would be in poor condition. 330 scopes were sold commercially from before WW2 to the 1950's.

Several variation of M73B1 scopes, as well as the M8 scope, were issued later in WW2. While some 330C scopes theoretically may have had some M73B1 markings hand engraved, any basement tinker could have marked any given scope. So, your scope is now, & will always be, a 330 scope. Still, some novice collector who doesn't know the difference might pay a lot more than the $50 I would pay for one, in the belief that the markings make it as good as a real M73B1 scope.

I agree that your rifle requires too many expensive parts & too much expensive labor, &, at best, it would still only be a mixed parts mongrel worth only a little more than it is now worth.

[Calif-Steve]

A very nice hunting rifle. I would keep it as is and enjoy it.

[cardincal]

Thank you all for your replies and information. I really do like the rifle and plan to keep it the way it is and pass it along to my son when he becomes of age. I am not into hunting but I used to do alot of target shooting with my dad and we both plan to get back into it after I get the rifle checked out to make sure it is safe to shoot. As far as the scope is concerned, I do believe it is an original M73B1 as the rifle was found in my grandfathers attic after he passed and was probably there for a good 40+ years. (along with a Winchester 1906 22cal, and a early Argentine version of the Colt 1911) then it sat in my dad's closet for the last ten years. When he pulled it out and gave it to me the first thing he said was "First thing I would do is get rid of that old scope and put a new one on there" So I doubt my dad tinkered with it. And my grandfather? forget it, he was as honest as they come.

Here are some pics of the rifle, my brother may have gotten my grandfathers bat signed by Will Clark, but I think I got the better deal.
Thanks again,
Charlie

[Neal Myers]

The scope is a 330C, but it really doesn't matter whether or not the engraving was done by the US military. The model scope is determined by the manufacturer. This is a M73B1:



The person who did the sporterizing had access to good stuff. The bolt (which has been arsenal refinished) is from a 1903A4, probably worth $200-300. The 3/4" parkerized one-piece USGI rings are worth $200-300, & the Redfield USGI base another $100. And, that may be a M1907 sling.

Sporterized 1903's are usually worth $200-300, but yours is worth way more than that in parts alone.

[Chuckindenver]

so, if the rifle is a 1903, and based on the serial number you posted, it is..they modified a real 1903A4 scope base, with correct rings and scope.
and its only held by 2 screws. stock is a cut up and sanded A4 stock. and genuine A4 bolt.
value of the scope...is 800.00 and up value of the bolt is closer to 500.00 value of the rings 150.00 value of the base if not screwed up by grinding is 250.00
again.
you could build a nicer rifle that would shoot better for your son, and mount the right scope base, with a nicely done sporter bolt, nice stock, and a quality scope, and still have some money in your pocket.

[JGaynor]

Cardincal if you are looking for suggestions:
1. Keep the 330C/M73B1 and rings as they are. The assembly will fetch upwards of $1000. on eBay virutally any day of the week.
2. Get a pair of Redfield or Leupold 1" rings and install a nice, 1", Weaver, Bushnell or Burris, a 3 x 9X Variable is pretty flexible. Naturally, you can up the specs or spend more if your choose.
3. Have a pro replace the recoil pad. It looks deteriorated and doing the installation is trickier than a lot of folks realize.
4. Do not refinish the bolt. It appears to have the gray parkerizing used on A4 rebuilds (which constitute the majority of A4's out there).

Shoot your rifle and enjoy it. Normal target shooting won't hurt a thing. With the possible exception of a 60+ year old telescopic sight. Old scopes do not improve with age!

Regards,
Jim