Followup on 1903A4 questions with photos

I recently purchased a 1903A4 (markings are in the correct location). The SN range is 3409172. The barrel is RA 12-43, two-grooved. Both receiver and barrel are the common gray/green pakerizing. It has not been reparked (IMHO). All marked parts are marked R. The stock has the correct markings forward of the trigger guard. It came in a CMP box, but with no paperwork. Questions:
1. What shade of parkerizing should the bolt have? bolt shroud? striker rod?
2. What shade of parkerizing should the buttplate have?
3. What shade of parkerizing should the bands have?
4. Is the barrel correct for the SN?
5. What type of 7/8" rings were used with the Lyman Alaskan (top split or two piece)? And, when were the two types of 7/8" rings used?
6. What value range would this piece fall in (wood and metal, including bore, are excellent)?
This is a lot of information to be asking for, and I do apprecieate any comments that can be provided. --RBruce

Please ignore the 1 inch rings and electrical tape on the Lyman scope. My 7/8 inch rings were at the gunsmith being installed on a 1903A4 clone. They'll be moving here shortly.

Did the Lyman Alaskan with medium a crosshair reticle preceed the post reticle? Which would be more correct for a post WWII or Korean War 1903A4? --TIA

Great looking rifle. The rings are not correct. I believe you have Burris rings on the rifle. Is there a serial number on the scope?

As I mentioned, ignore the rings. I just had them there to show the scope. Yes, the serial number on the scope is 26476.

RBruce thanks for posting the pictures.

The M73 version of the Lyman Alaskan was standardized in 1943 with a fine crosswire reticle similar to that of the M73B1 (Weaver 330). At least their are engineering shop drawings that date from Sept 43.

The post reticle was introduced with the M82 scope in early 1945. As mentioned before the M81(crosswire) and M82(post) incorporated a sliding sunshade on the objective lens and a rubber eyeshield.


The following picture is from an Oct 1943 Tech manual and illustrates, in the lower picture, an M73 mounted in the top split rings. (NB: The original caption writer made a mistake in the nomenclature - The upper picture shows the Weaver 330C (M73B1) and the lower should have been labeled M73).

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9/06/032-1.jpg


The stock appears to have traces of the factory inspection stamps(RA and Boxed FJA) which is good.

Is there a letter stamped in the cutoff notch ?

Regards,

Jim

Yes, there is an S in the cutoff notch.

if the rifle was indeed sold by the CMP and not he DCM,
they will give you paperwork at no charge..
they have no DCM records that i know of.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RBruce

Yes, there is an S in the cutoff notch.

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The "S" indicates Springfield Arsenal manufacture. The stock is of the correct type for a rifle in that s/n range.

Regards,

Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RBruce

I recently purchased a 1903A4 (markings are in the correct location). The SN range is 3409172. The barrel is RA 12-43, two-grooved. Both receiver and barrel are the common gray/green pakerizing. It has not been reparked (IMHO). All marked parts are marked R. The stock has the correct markings forward of the trigger guard. It came in a CMP box, but with no paperwork. Questions:
1. What shade of parkerizing should the bolt have? bolt shroud? striker rod?
2. What shade of parkerizing should the buttplate have?
3. What shade of parkerizing should the bands have?
4. Is the barrel correct for the SN?
5. What type of 7/8" rings were used with the Lyman Alaskan (top split or two piece)? And, when were the two types of 7/8" rings used?
6. What value range would this piece fall in (wood and metal, including bore, are excellent)?
This is a lot of information to be asking for, and I do apprecieate any comments that can be provided. --RBruce

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Answers - Relative to original finish.

1. All normally blued.
2. Normally blued.
3. All normally blued.
4. I would estimate 3-43 barrel.
5. For a post-war rebuild I would rather see a late type M73B1 or an M84.
6. I don't estimate values, What I have to sell is always worth nothing and what I want to buy is always worth more.

Other comments:

The barrel and receiver have been reparked. The stock is an original A4 stock but has been reworked. The markings would indicate the stock went through Augusta for a rebuild and it is most likely the rifle did to. Nice rifle and typical of those sold by DCM.

other then the rings, i wouldnt change a thing, you can spend alot of money, turning a 3000.00 rifle into 2000.00 rifle.
the Lyman Ak is fine for a rebuild, a M84 would be better.
id say with a M84 and correct rings the rifle would fetch 3 to 35hundred, maybe more..and its only going up...

Thanks for all of the information. I have been without Internet access since Monday morning. Seems that the AT&T server decided it did not like my account. Finally, about 4 pm today it was fixed. One other fact I should mention. The rifle came with a 1960s Realist Camputer 3x9 scope. I read somewhere that they were used in VN???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JGaynor

The "S" indicates Springfield Arsenal manufacture. The stock is of the correct type for a rifle in that s/n range.

Regards,

Jim

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Jim - Per John Beard the "S" in the cutoff slot does not always mean a Springfield manufactured stock. While the presence of Cartouches and sub-inspector marks on this stock make it likely so, I'd like to see pictures of the top of the stock looking into the reciever area. Particularily of the trigger slot and front triggerguard /handguard area.

again
heres the list of {replacement} scopes i know were used other then the M73B1.
M81Lyman
M82Lyman
M83Lyman
M84 Libby Glass.
Weaver K4-60-B {law inforecment and prison use moslty}
no matter how hard you try and make an older scope look GI. it just didnt happen.
your rifle trully needs an Weaver M73B1 or Weaver 330C, with Redfield parkerized rings.