USMC Re-Arsenal (Alleged!) Pics: Take Two

[Rick the Librarian]

A slight disagreement with Musketshooter -- although I'm not familar with the barrels sold at Sarco, most new USMC Sedgely barrels were in the 1943 and 1944 barrel dates and were not used on Marine rifles. As I understand it, they went into the "mixed" for use on U.S. Army rifles, and (in a large number of cases) not used at all. I believe most of the 1941- and 1942-dated barrels were actually used on rifles. I'm not necessarily saying "yea" or "nay" on the rifle under discussion, but the 1942 barrel may be legitimate.

[stonewall56]

Many Sedgely USMC barrels were used by the Army.

[John Beard]

Paratrooper,

If not for that scant stock, your rifle has many indications of being a USMC WWII rebuild. Something tells me the stock was added at a later date by someone other than the Corps. The serial number is in a range populated by many pre-WWI Corps rifles, and I have several known USMC rifles in that range with Sedgley 4-32 to 9-42 barrels.

For my money, it is a USMC rifle with a scant stock added by persons unknown. It is just an opinion.

Jim

And what makes you think the USMC didn't use scant stocks? I suggest that you reconsider.

J.B.

[John Beard]

I find it remarkable that some believe the USMC contracted with Sedgley for tens of thousands of replacement barrels during WWII, and then declined to use them. I have seen scores and scores of Sedgley USMC barrels with dates up through 1943 that were installed in USMC rifles.

I further find it remarkable that the USMC turned over their unused Sedgley barrels to the Army. I'm still waiting to find significant quantities of Army-issue rifles fitted with Sedgley USMC barrels. But meanwhile, I'm not holding my breath.

J.B.

[Jim Tarleton]

And what makes you think the USMC didn't use scant stocks? I suggest that you reconsider.

J.B.

Now you know that my Corps wouldn't use those uglya$$ scant stocks on their fine 1903 Springfields.

To be honest, I have always had the impression that the Corps did not use scant stocks, but I am not certain where I got that thought. Are you saying the Corps did indeed utilize the scant stock? I thought the scant to be a product of mid to late WWII, after the Corps switched to the M1.

Jim

[Bob S]

Jim:

The first scants were made at Springfield in early/mid 1942, before the 03A3 was standardized. These have the mortice for the M1905 rear sight, but do not have the mortice for the barrel guard ring of the 03A3. The two that I have are nicely finished and would pass for a pre-war "C" stock except for the lack of the full grip.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[Jim Tarleton]

I find it remarkable that some believe the USMC contracted with Sedgley for tens of thousands of replacement barrels during WWII, and then declined to use them. I have seen scores and scores of Sedgley USMC barrels with dates up through 1943 that were installed in USMC rifles.

I further find it remarkable that the USMC turned over their unused Sedgley barrels to the Army. I'm still waiting to find significant quantities of Army-issue rifles fitted with Sedgley USMC barrels. But meanwhile, I'm not holding my breath.

J.B.

The Marine Corps would sell the barrels for scrap before they GAVE them to anyone, particularly the Army.

I fail to see the motivation for the USMC to give away perfectly good barrels, particularly at a time when the Army didn't really need the barrels.

Jim

[Jim Tarleton]

Bob,

That is earlier than I thought, still, the Corps was switching to the M1. I have no definitive evidence either way as far as the Corps using scant stocks.

Thanks, Bob, and you too, John.

Jim

[paratrpr]

Thanks for all the information and support gentlemen. This is my first '03 purchase, I rarely by on impulse or emotion, but this rifle really jumped out at me. I wanted a WW2 era rifle and with the RIA '18 barrel, I really get the sense I'm the steward of a genuine piece of American history. I've been to U.S. battle monuments in Europe, the Arizona at Pearl, every monument and memorial in D.C. as well as Arlington Mem. in VA.... when I hold this rifle in my hands, the same emotions are tapped.

I've sweated and humped with Marines, from jump school to missions in Latin America... I've always had a great respect for the Corp...so owning an '03 that once belonged to the U.S.M.C. is all at once an honor and a privilege... Semper Fi, Macs... and Airborne All The Way!!

[Rick the Librarian]

I've seen all varieties of Scant stocks, as far as quality. Some look like they were turned out by a beginning 5th grade woodworking class. I have seen others which, like Bob's, had every bit as much quality as pre-WWII Type C stocks.