1903 usmc sniper hand guard

[ed skeels]

Building a 03 USMC sniper. (faux) or ebay special, take your pick.
I have not been able to find any photos of a real one to see how they (hand guard) are cut/milled/finished.
Would like to get it as close to original as possible, OCD!
Would appreciate some photos of a "real one".
Thanks
Ed

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[cplstevennorton]

This is a real one.

[ed skeels]

Thank You Sir. Not much wood left on top. Good thing I have some spare's!
Much appreciated.
Regards
Ed

[ed skeels]

I'm wondering how they did the flat cut.
Any idea's?
Thanks
Ed

[cplstevennorton]

I honestly am not sure. The weird thing is, when you put two side by side, they are identical. Like they used the same type of fixture to hold them while they were cut?

They all look like they were mass produced, and not by hand. But I'm not sure what tool they used.

I don't know if PhillipM is over here, but I know he took a look at it once and he seemed to have a plausible idea of what type of machinery was used. But I honestly don't remember what he said. I will see if I can catch him and direct him over here.

But as much as they all seem the same, they weren't done by hand.

[PhillipM]

I think it may have been done on a metal working horizontal milling machine and the radius at the end was the diameter of the cutter.

[cplstevennorton]

PhillipM sent me this pic so I could upload it here. Looking at this thing, and then just knowing what the handguards look like in person. He's probably right. Or at least it was something very similar.

[ed skeels]

Thanks Guys.
That horizontal mill sure makes sense for the cut.
Now the search is on for some one with that type mill.
Appreciate all the help!
Regards
Ed

[ed skeels]

Got it!
Put a drum sander (1 I/2in) in the lathe, laid a mill vise on the ways, shimmed it to the correct height and sanded away.
Can't post pictures. Duh.
Really happy with it. Thanks for the help.
Regards
Ed