WWII 03a4 scope base needs rear scope/base windage screws

[sonnyboy]

Hello, hope somebody can help me. I have an 03a4 WWII sniper rifle , that's complete except for one little problem. I want to take my 04 out to hunt deer an found that the windage screws (left an right side) that hold the base and rear scope ring in alignment is starting to strip or ready to shear off. I need new correct windage screws to replace the originals with newer better originals. Is there anybody out there who can help me with this? Is the new lyman windage rear base screws the same thread size to fit WWII GI redfield base an ring notches????................that's!!!....sonnyboy

Information

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[vintage hunter]

One would think the windage screws from a commercial U.S. made Redfield base would be the same but I could be wrong. Might be a good idea to ID the thread size and run a tap through the holes in the base to take care of any possible thread setback before installing the new screws.
When you get your deer post a pic or two of it in the hunting with milsurps thread. Good luck.

[Randy A]

The original color case hardened screws that came in them are very brittle, if they're feeling mushy usually that means the screws are fractured and the heads are breaking off. The blued commercial screws used ever since are better and yes, same thread. I used to keep spares (case hardened) on hand but am out at the moment, they're not that hard to find but be wary of used ones. If they have even the slightest bend to them they're fractured/ garbage.

[Chuckindenver]

the original screws are not the same as the modern commercial screws, the head is different, for the new style rings

[Neal Myers]

The left windage screw was staked at the arsenal after initial installation of the mount & alignment of the scope; after that, only the right one was removed to permit installation/removal of the scope without a need for re-alignment.

Neal

[Neal Myers]

Well, maybe someone can explain this:



The windage screws on this Redfield base came directly to me from CMP, & they are clearly parkerized. So, did the War Dept order parked screws from Redfield, or did they park case hardened or blued screws? I don't know the answer, hoping someone else does.

Neal

[sonnyboy]

Thanks vintage hunter, I will do that!.......I have shot many deer in my life, with all sorts of rifles , but now as I get closer to the 65 number, I have grown fascinated with hunting with military WWII weapons...........funny how time changes things............sonny

---------- Post added at 07:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 PM ----------

Thanks for the reply Randy. Boy I wish you had GI replacements that I could buy off you. I am so pumped to hunt deer an bear this year with the old gal', but can only hope when I take it to the range to sight her in, the recoil won't snip off the bum windage screws......Geez, do you think any of your friends might have GI windage screw to sell an get me on track????..........salek33@msn.com.....sonny

[sonnyboy]

well, if I am going to take my 03a4 with lyman Alaskan scope deer hunting, I should get some sort of scope cover from the rain on the lenses....What the heck did GI's do in rainy weather back then???......I have the leather twist cover with leather strip connector, but when the buck comes sneaking thru an I have to mess with the safety an remove leather twist off caps, I can't see how I can be sneaky!!!......any ideas.....sonny

[emmagee1917]

I'd get a pair of those butler creek pop up covers as close as I could to your bell ODs and add wraps of electrical tape if needed to snug them up and a couple of wraps after to help hold them on if needed.
Chris

[browningautorifle]

I must agree with Chris. A set of see through pop ups will sort this out. Make sure you measure your scope ends first, be exact...