Proof Mark Question

[CINDERS]

Those marks on the barrel look like they were done by a large pair of Stilsons (Plumbers wrench for gripping pipe to do up & un-do)

Information

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[cplstevennorton]

Even though your vise marks aren't typical of a special target, I do think that barrel was changed by the Marines. The Hatcher hole could be drilled by the MArines or it could be drilled by SA. IT's a toss up.

It just depends on when the Marines recieved that receiver. There are two options.

1) The Marines received NM rifles in 1935, 36, and 37. They also received them in 1940, but by serial this rifle is pretty much disqualified. There is no evidence the NM rifles received in 35 or 36 came with factory hatchers. But the 1937 would have had one drilled by SA.

2) The MArines received off the Navy at least 35,000 and possibly 50,000 M1903's in 1942. They were in bad shape and many needed rebuilt. That is why you see the MArines order a lot of Barrels in 1942. And why there was a huge rebuild program in 1942. As many of these rifles probably were Navy.


There is no way to prove what exactly your rifle is. But by serial alone and it having the star, hatcher, and vise marks, I'm guessing it is likely it was at one time a Marine NM team rifle, rebuilt into a special target, and probably rebuilt a 2nd time with this time it being reparkerized and the addition of that C stock. That stock is a 1940 SA C stock, which the Marines never ordered any of those, they hated the C stock and were still trying to get GG stocks in 1940.

Your 1.466 serial could have honestly been in any of the 35, 36, or 37 NM shipments to the MArines. Without the original barrel present to note the year, it's impossible to say.

Marine Unertl Sniper 1464269 was part of the 150 shipped in 1937 to the Marines. But looking in the SRS, that 1.466 range could have shipped in any year as some in that serial range were sold as NM in 35,36, and 37.

Now it is possible it could have been a Navy rifle that came in 1942 as well. But we just don't know those serial ranges of the Navy enough to know if that is likely or not.

Even though there isn't any way to prove it, the Marine NM, rebuilt into a Special Target, and then rebuilt again into it's current configuration is most likely.

---------- Post added at 09:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 AM ----------

I know you have your serial blacked out, but if you either post or pm the rest I can compare it to the NM in the SRS. That 1.466 is in a good NM range. Which is more evidence it was a prior NM at one time.

Also you might want to post more pics of it. Any marks on the stock, pics of the bolt, rear sight, and buttplate. That will help and might be more evidence there that you don't recognize.

The Marines did not buy loose C stocks in 1940, but they did get C stocks on the 1940 NM rifles. So some of these 1940 NM C stocks are found on special targets. A way to tell there is a serial number of the NM rifle stamped on the underside of the stock forward of the rear sling swivel.

[sogasoga]

Thank you again for your time and input. I try to do as much of my own research as possible because I think that's a great way to learn, but there's no substitute for years of education and expertise.

Here are some more photos and I can take more if need be.