1903-a4 Scope Question...

[728shooter]

Thanks for the additional pictures.
Two more questions: Is there a punch mark on the underside of the barrel (6 o'clock) roughly centered between the front sight cuts? How many grooves are there in the barrel?

One suggestion. Loosen the three screws that clamp the scope tube and slide the scope tube forward. Leave about a 1/16" clearance between the front edge of the data plate and the back of the rear ring.

Your rifle was undoubtedly used and subsequently rebuilt at Rock Island Arsenal. The 9/43 barrel is in all likelihood the original as is the keystone scant stock with factory inspection stamps. I agree this rifle is most likely a DCM sales rifle.

i would not pay any mind to the assertions that there are "no records anywhere".

Jim --
Thank you very much for the reply and the suggestions. I did move the scope forward as you mentioned and agree, the eye-relief is much more comfortable and more "natural" feeling.

As to the punch mark, I did look carefully where you mentioned and yes, there is a faint punch-mark at about the 5 o'clock position! Never noticed this before, but then again, you guys are the experts and that's what I'm here to learn about. What exactly does this mark mean? My guess is its an arsenal rebuild mark? And the barrel is a 4-groove barrel and mirror-shiny. I don't have a muzzle gauge to measure it but I don't have any doubts that it is within tolerances.

Is there any way to determine if this is in fact a DCM sales rifle? And if so, does that take away anything from its value? Its getting to sound more like the "no records anywhere" may have been just a bit of hype by "Uncle Whoever", only adding to the mystique of its origin, I guess.....

--728shooter

[JGaynor]

The punch mark. Remington was required to select rifles for "accuracy and smoothness of operation". Remington management decided they would address the accuracy requirement by air gauging the barrels and maintaining control of the uniformity of the final ream dimension.
I suspect the punch mark was how they identified approved A4 barrels in the plant.

[Neal Myers]

If you go to the CMP website, you can find their phone number & ask if they any record of your rifle's SN. DCM was the predecessor to CMP, but I don't know if DCM sales were added to CMP's data base. If they have a record of your rifle, they will send you written verification for $5.

DCM/CMP paperwork actually adds to the value of a rifle, as there are quite a few "restored" & fake A4's out there.

Neal

[TFLeader]

Hello to all from a relative "Newbie" to this site. Really impressed by all the threads I've been reading. Have a question regarding the scopes used on the 1903-a4's....

Recently acquired a very nice 1903-a4 from a family member of a WWII (or Korean War?) vet. Rifle looks as if it was never issued and has a rather rare "Z" prefix serial number, which according to info I've read, dates it to Jan-Feb '44 manufacture or issue. Rifle came with original staked Redfield scope mount, but no scope or rings. Have acquired correct 3/4" scope rings and am trying to figure out which scope was originally issued with this rifle.

I understand that the Weaver model 330-C, which was a commercial model, was originally selected as the scope for this rifle, and was later assigned the military designation M73B1. I have read that early Weaver scopes for this rifle were marked either model 330-C, M73B1, or even model 330 M-8. However, the models 330-C that I have seen have adjustment knobs that were friction-locked, whereas the military specs required "click-adjustments", which only the model 330-M 8 has. I assume that the M73B1 is the same.

My questions are; Is the model 330 M-8 the correct "early" scope used on the 1903-a4? At what point in time were all Weaver scopes marked M73B1? Given the manufacture dates of the rifle I mention, what was the correct scope for it at that time? And at what point in time did the Lyman Alaskan take over as the standard military issue sniper scope in WWII for the 1903-a4? I have a chance to buy an Weaver 330 M-8 and want to make sure it's correct for this rifle.

Thanks to all for any & all input. --728shooter

Anyone have ananswer to this queston?

I have similar situation.

Thanks!

[Chuckindenver]

yes, go back and read the responses ,

[daveboy]

My A4 is one purchased from the DCM. I bought it many years later after it had sat in a closet for decades. It had the scope mount and rings, but no scope.
I purchased the civilian Weaver 330 with the friction adjustments.
I've heard so many things, one way or another, on whether these scopes were issued with this rifle, or not. I'm of the opinion that some were. The stock was horrible, so I put a CMP stock on it.