1903A4 Scope questions?

[braymee]

What should the correct markings be on a military Weaver 330? I am looking at one that has the Weaver 330 data plate and is engraved with the serial number only below the plate. Must it also be engraved with M73B1? Where there two variations whith different engraving? Thanks for any help.

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[JGaynor]

It would help if you posted a picture.

But if the scope is marked Weaver 330 The Electro penciled nomenclature on the side of tube should read:

TELESCOPE, M73B1
SERIAL NO. NNNN (or NNNNN - maybe)

One of the things to keep in mind is that ordnance was under a great deal of pressure to get these rifles in the hands of the troops.
The earliest scopes (probably 2 or 3 thousand) were most likely plain vanilla commercial scopes - either the "330C" w/ crosswire or "330 Scope - M.8" w/tapered post.
Others on the forum have done more comprehensive research on M73B1 Serial numbers and hopefully they will chime in. Personally I have never seen a military marked M73B1 with a real low serial number.

Also the A4 Tech manual TM 9-270 which was signed off in July of 43 and published in September contains no mention of the nomenclature M73B1 ( or M73 for the Lyman Alaskan for that matter). This suggests that the official nomenclature for both scopes came about sometime after A4 deliveries commenced in February 43.

Another point if you have something that doesn't seem quite right. Many of these scopes have been repaired either by the military or private concerns. Given that the main source of spare parts in recent years will be junked scopes its likely you will see more and more "weird" scopes.

Regards,

Jim

[Mike Haas]

What should the correct markings be on a military Weaver 330? I am looking at one that has the Weaver 330 data plate and is engraved with the serial number only below the plate. Must it also be engraved with M73B1? Where there two variations whith different engraving? Thanks for any help.

I agree with Jim Gaynor. Post more info..or better yet some photos. Particularily of the scope tube markings.
Based on your limited discription I suspect a "Parts" scope.
Mike Haas

[braymee]

My feeling is that it may also be a parts scope. The only examples I've seen where only the serial number was engraved have a M73B1 data plate. This one has a 330 plate. The serial no. is in the 14000 range. I was attempting to add the photo but had some trouble. Thanks for the imput guys I will try a figure out the photo problem. Jason