This rifle was purchased in 1962 for $34.95, rifle was not used since that time. Note the marks on the barrel in front of the rear sight base and the Hatcher hole. This is the bolt that came with the rifle too.
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This rifle was purchased in 1962 for $34.95, rifle was not used since that time. Note the marks on the barrel in front of the rear sight base and the Hatcher hole. This is the bolt that came with the rifle too.
Looks like a nice one. Do you know any history of the rifle? The stippled buttplate and the Hatcher hole may indicate USMC rifle. The USMC on the barrel is not necessarily USMC. It also looks alike an oversized sight cover also used by the USMC. Could you please post another of the sight cover? I'm sure others will chime in.
-Jeff L
rifle may be a USMC, barrel however wasnt installed by the military,
they didnt use a pipe wrench.
The front sight cover is normal issue with a circled s stamp, it is not the USMC front sight cover. Nor are there any USMC sights on this rifle. This
rifle was purchased in Chicago at Klein's Sporting Goods (1962). There were about 50 or 60 rifles all 1903 or 1903A1's which were on sale at $34.95 ea.
Only two rifles in this group had USMC stamped Sedgely 1941 barrels and both were purchased.
I have a LN M1903 with the same marks on the 1942 Sedgely barrel. I have been told by others that the barrel marks indicate USMC build and usage. Mine came from the CMP with a C stock , the Hatcher hole ,and a NS RIA bolt.
Pipe wrench bites from a US Depot/Arsenal? Oh my. BF bolt, interesting rifle. Could well be USMC. This one warrants study.
Stippled Buttplate gives it high provenance to be Marine Corps. Question is, is the story real ...?
When SA s/n 1,031,506 was purchased, there was another rifle purchased at the same time: SA 1,279,085 also with Hatcher hole and with a Sedgely USMC barrel only dated 9-42, also with the jaw marks. This rifle has a NS bolt and with a pre war C stock with WM marked near the cut-off recess. The cut-off recess is also marked F over 0 and the stock has the D-1836 drawing number.
The buttplate has the heavy checkering (NM) not stippled.
There were only two rifles at Kleins, among all the 1903's, that had the Sedgely USMC marked barrels and both were purchased that day
i would bet, that what ever sorce Kliens got the rifles from, did the barrel replacements.
not, the Marines, or any US military depot.
I received a SA-52 rebuilt M1 barreled Receiver from the CMP,and it also has pipe wrench "Bites" on the barrel :confused: