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  1. #1
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
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    Sporterizing the M1903A4, Austrian Army Style

    Title says it all ...
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  3. # ADS
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  4. #2
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
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    Addendum, despite being from a different period, Austrian Army exhibition of Arms somewhen early post 1955. It was either 460 or 480 of M1903A4 sniper rifles they were given by the US government as aid post WWII.
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    Contributing Member Sapper740's Avatar
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    I had a set of grenade sights and carrying case for my Garandicon years ago. I don't remember ever seeing the sight mounted on the rifle before

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  9. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sapper740 View Post
    I don't remember ever seeing the sight mounted on the rifle before
    I've seen it lots but wouldn't do it as they have no purpose to us. I had the sight complete and still in the paper wrap when I sold it 30 years later...
    Regards, Jim

  10. #5
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    I've seen it lots but wouldn't do it as they have no purpose to us.
    See, the difference is they actually had grenades to use that thing for, whereas most of us on these forums neither have the grenades nor the ranges to shoot them .

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  12. #6
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Promo View Post
    whereas most of us on these forums neither have the grenades nor the ranges to shoot them .
    I used the grenade launcher on an M1icon at one point when I lived in the prairies to see how far an old launching cartridge would send it. Just a training grenade, went about two hundred yards launched high angle...but would never drill holes to ruin a stock in a collector piece.

    Of course the army didn't care...
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member Sapper740's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by browningautorifleicon View Post
    I used the grenade launcher on an M1icon at one point when I lived in the prairies to see how far an old launching cartridge would send it. Just a training grenade, went about two hundred yards launched high angle...but would never drill holes to ruin a stock in a collector piece.

    Of course the army didn't care...
    I've still got a couple of post-war dummy M31 HEAT grenades kicking around.
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  16. #8
    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    That's a lot of scope and a lot of recoil forces for Wiener schnappmontage.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

  17. #9
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Surpmil View Post
    That's a lot of scope and a lot of recoil forces for Wiener schnappmontage.
    Looks like Suhler Claw mount to me?

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    Perhaps so. I was looking at this photo of the four rifles on display, but it is of course a different rifle and mount from that shown on the modified Springfield.

    What I took at a glance to be the "button" on the lever of the schnappmontage may in fact be a clamping or windadge adjustment cross screw. The ring does look rather massive so that in itself would not suggest the schnappmontage, but some post war design. I can't think of any WWII designs with such a massive front ring.

    Looking at it now much enlarged, it looks like the vertical portion extends over what appears to be the base, suggesting a male dovetail base with a tightening cross screw?
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    Last edited by Surpmil; 04-19-2025 at 11:27 AM.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

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