Unertl Sniper

[Bob Seijas]

I'm not trying to start a fight with the '03 guys but I have to admit to a little disappointment on their failure to acknowledge that Steve Norton's article in the Fall 2018 GCA Journal rewrote collector knowledge on the iconic USMC M1903 Unertl Sniper rifle. He proved that those who insisted that some were built on standard rifles because they ran out of match rifles were simply wrong. They did not understand that some were built on Match Target rifles and those rifles were former National Match guns that had been rebarreled with standard barrels not star gauged. Our publication of the article was controversial for us and cost me an assistant editor who resigned over it. But did any of them say, "Nice job, we were wrong"? Hardly. The silence was deafening, and I personally resent it. Rant off.
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[Mark in Rochester]

Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.

[Brian Dick]

Mine is one of those rifles, built in January 1945 without a star gauged barrel. It was poo-pooed by most everyone except the late Vernon Owens and late Dick Culver who knew what it was and that it was legit. When I got it it was equipped with a USMC Lyman Targetspot, (complete with the USMC marked oak box), which i traded for a perfect 8x Unertl with the micarta case that resides on it now. The scope is documented as having been serviced by Unertl in the 1980's and has the return spring installed but I wouldn't dare remove it. The 20X Lyman went on a Winchester Model 70 that was auctioned by CMP many years ago.

So much anal retentive stupidity! Anyhow: Nice job, you were right!

[speckles]

The world was flat once.. anyone who thought that way got their heads lopped off, hanged, burned, and had their tongues removed. It’s hard let go of “known” information, especially when it means 1) the proponents are wrong- i.e. PRIDE. and 2) they have what WAS believed to be a real rifle is now a possible reproduction.
Very nice article. Very reputable info from Steve et al... Hard to argue with good documents.

[Rick B]

I feel bad and fully understand how disappointing and hurtful it is when people refuse to believe you. I have spent many years with people telling me I do not know a thing about cartouches or stocks. The worst is all the discoveries I made that due to the internet people tell me I was not the one that discovered these features that are well known about Garand wood. I finally learned to not worry about it and that there are enough good people out there that see things in a good manner. Steve has shown full proof and anyone getting that bent out of shape over this does not deserve the time wasted worrying about how they feel. I hope Steve can understand without to must bad feelings. I know way back it hurt me and took allot out of me. I thought about quitting a few times but finally understood a few are always going to hate you know matter what. Rick B

[cplstevennorton]

I'm really sorry you lost an assistant editor over that Bob, that is really unfortunate. From my side, most of the feedback I got back was very positive, and I was even able to find one new rifle that popped up out of the woodwork after they read the article.

I'm still very honored you ran the article.

[cplstevennorton]

On a side note I will always consider Rick B the "guy" when it comes to stocks. Any question I have, I always refer to him.

There just isn't any better training when you have literally seen or owned thousands of them.

[tom gray]

I enjoyed the article and I learned a few things. Thanks to Steve and the GCA for printing it.

[MoMallard]

Steve:

Many thanks for all your research. There are not that many left in the internet age that provide sound and fact based observation and conclusion vs. the ever present loudest troll in the room, standard mythological information. Many of us are patient and quiet observers who do differentiate "good vs. evil" but recuse themselves from the online fights. Perhaps we should trumpet louder and minimize the deafening silence that Bob refers to above. I had a statistician friend that used to tag his emails "In God We Trust, All Others Bring Data". You sir, bring the data to light.

[ed skeels]

That article was the main reason I joined the GCA. I do not regret it. Great article, like all of them.
Brian Dick, I'm sure I read that the Marine's wouldn't pay SA to star guage a barrel.

Regards