A4 Sniper Korean War spec

Morning all,

I am fitting out my A3 (re built as an A4) out as a Korean war example, I am fitting a leather butt cheek rest as I believe they were widely issued bits of kit in Korea, so presumably would have been fitted to the A4's still in use..

Anyone got any images of A4's being used in Korea, also how widely were they still in use at that time, I would assume replacement by the M1C Garand must have been virtually complete by then ??

I assume the A4 was issued because the Korean war surge overtook the available number of M1C's, just a guess....

the A4 was not issued with a leather cheek pad...at anytime during service.

OK, thats interesting, so why no cheek pad, if as I believe it was available at the time of the Korean war ?

The standard scope for the M1903A4 was the M73B1 (a militarized version of the Weaver 330C). It was mounted on a standard standard Redfield Jr base in low rings. The combination resulted in one of the lowest (if not the lowest) line of sight over the bore line measurements of any sniper rifle. Also both versions of the Stock, M1903A1 (full pistol grip and scant grip) used on the A4 had the same straight high comb stock.

The M1C and D had the scope mounted above the bore and offset to the left to allow loading and ejection of the standard eight round cartridge clip. The leather cheek pad had three felt pads so the thickness could be adjusted and was attached to the stock with a leather lace and two screws. On an M1 Sniper the pad was nescessary to get the shooters right eye into the correct position.

On the A4 however it was not really necessary.

Regards,
Jim

Thanks for that excellent answer.....just what I have been waiting for, you sir know your stuff :cool: I will fit the leather pad anyway....it looks cool, if not completely correct, I bet someone in Korea fitted one!

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Originally Posted by mrclark303

Thanks for that excellent answer.....just what I have been waiting for, you sir know your stuff :cool: I will fit the leather pad anyway....it looks cool, if not completely correct, I bet someone in Korea fitted one!

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Well i think most of us learned to "never say never" when it comes to the doings of ordnance in the field. At any rate here a couple of links you may find interesting. Both are provided courtesy of Garand, M1, M14, M16, Carbine, 1911, 1917, Militaria, Small Arms in the "Free Stuff" section of their site.


How to lace and mount the cheek pad
http://www.nicolausassociates.com/PD...d.Mounting.pdf

M1903A4 specifications (for general interest):
http://www.nicolausassociates.com/PD...ber%201942.pdf

Regards,
Jim

Like Chuck and Jim said the rifle would never have had one on it. Having one installed on an a4 would bring the shooters eyes away from the scope. Why have to lean your head back into alignment with the scope if you didn't have to. It not only would be uncomfortable but also affect accuracy. It's needed for a m1 sniper as the scope is off set. No sniper would affect his shots so his rifle would look cool. It's still your rifle and do as you please, but it was never issued with one, and no one who cared about making accurate shots would install it. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

No offence, but you can take things to seriously! I have fitted the pad with one felt removed and it does seem very comfortable, sight line is still good and accuracy unaffected.

Its only lace on and I won't be screwing it into position...let's not loose sight of the fact this is a hobby and supposed to be fun!

Many thanks for all the feedback guys and these Springfield's could get addictive, the Korean war theme continued, would it have had the leather or web sling by point in history?

Also who used them in Vietnam, still limited general issue or just provided to the ARVN ?

Question for you guys, (because I can't make my mind up on this one) should I replace the repro stock with an original NOS "C" stock, there is a chance of buying one, would it increase the value or make no difference ???

What would you guys do.

Thoughts welcome guys ?

PS, accuracy is very pleasing, two inch groups at 200 yds, not bad from a two groove 1942 dated barrel!

On a "clone A4" it would make little difference. Also proper preparation of the bolt handle notch is a more challenging project than most people realize.

Afternoon guys,

Well, the NOS C stock arrived and to my delight its a Keystone, the bolt cut out slot was a bit hair raising to create, but it all turned nice in the end...see pics..

It was interesting comparing the Walnut Keystone to the modern ginger coloured beech stock fitted to my rifle, I must say the Keystone is a nicer fit in the hand, just that bit chunkier and squarer in section.

The bolt cut out slot is not to original specs, as my bolt is an adjusted post war replacement A3 example (with the large safety lug). I am happy with the job and she looks so much better with the original Walnut Keystone on!

Looking forward to getting her onto the range !

Korean War also means you can use a Lyman Alaskan (M73, M81, M82) or an M84 - much better scopes than the original Weavers! CC

I never saw any A4's in RVN. Given to the Viet Namese early on in 1963/64?? I did see and play with an M1D in Big Red 1 Firebase north of Saigon. Lots of D's in-country. I did see one M1903 in-country. Very uncommon as they were a very early-on gift to RVN. Lots of 98's and had a friend who a sniper 98!

Col. Colt has it. I had the pleasure of seeing Jim Land's USMC sniper rifle collection at an NRA annual meetings display with the Dallas Arms Collectors ten years ago and he told me they could be fitted with either Weaver, Lyman variants and/or M84 through Korea in both Army and USMC service. The one he had in his display had the Lyman M82 fitted.

Another WWII C stock destroyed... dang.

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Originally Posted by Randy A

Another WWII C stock destroyed... dang.

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Evening Randy, destroyed you say......interesting viewpoint, sorry you feel that way. I prefer to view it as another Springfield back in original wood, as opposed to modern repro stuff, still quite a few K's about, they come up on ebay still.

Just my opinion and I think she looks one hell of a lot better myself.