A4 Sniper Questions

[Wizard]

Hi,

Considering this purchase. I know the history of this gun for the last 30 plus years. A good pal is an arms dealer and bought it from a Vet that used it. (I'll spare you the story, but I have no reason to doubt my very old and dear pal.) He sold this A4 to a collector about 26 years ago and that collector has it back with my pal on consignment. (There was a verified vintage photo of the Vet with the rifle, but the collector lost it!)

I have checked everything I could within my well-read knowledge on the weapon and believe it to be a legit non-re-armored 1st Block original. C-stock looks perfect, "S" in the recess, correct cartouches. Barrel looks fine. Dates and numbers are right on. Scope is right, with electro-pencil numbers. However, I do have some questions as to whether or not some parts may or may not have been changed in the field.

1. The bolt is correct bearing the "R" on the underside, however, the side/rear part of the bolt does not have the "R" where it should be, and the bluing on that part is not as good as the main part of the bolt itself.

2. I can't tell if the bands/buttplate/trigger guard are rusty blue and or worn blue. Wondering if they could have been park replacements? "Experts" tell me old blue.

Thoughts? Help? Thanks!

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.

[m1903rifle]

The bolt parts appear to be earlier Springfield M1903. Everything else is probably OK.

[ssgross]

The lower band spring is m1903.

[Wizard]

Thanks. I'm having questions about the bolt now. Rifle will not be viewable until Tuesday, but then I will post better pics of the bolt. I'm fairly new to a4s so I greatly appreciate the help before plopping down cash.

[ssgross]

The bolt is correct bearing the "R" on the underside, however, the side/rear part of the bolt does not have the "R" where it should be, and the bluing on that part is not as good as the main part of the bolt itself.

I haven't seen an A3 bolt with an R in any other place. Not that they don't exist. All my originals only have the R underneath. The earlier Springfield bolts are more of a straight tube. To make final fitting easier on the a3 bolts, the main body around the safety lug, front lugs, and handle were turned down slightly. The last picture as well as several others show these bands clearly defined. To me this would imply a correct A3 bolt.

[Chuckindenver]

bolt is not an A4 bolt, likely done by a gunsmith or hobbiest

[Steve762]

Wizard, See if you can find a copy of the following technical manual online. It is the US Army Ordnance Maintenance Manual on the M1903, M1903A1 M1903A3 and M1903A4. Lots of good pics showing the various models. Pic attached showing what an original A4 bolt looks like.
Regards, Steve

TM9-1270, 20 Jan 1944 or later editions

[Wizard]

Just bought the tech manual... thanks much.

[mrclark303]

bolt is not an A4 bolt, likely done by a gunsmith or hobbiest

Would I be right in saying this is a large safety Lug replacement bolt Chuck?

[gigi79]

Also not original stock. The bolt housing is not original on the stock