A4 scope use

[Hollywood]

Could someone enlighten me on the timeframe of use for each model scope used on 1903A4s?

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.

[JGaynor]

Could someone enlighten me on the timeframe of use for each model scope used on 1903A4s?

These are estimates and cover original production. Some other scopes were used and during the post WW2 era and experimentally during the war.


Straight commercial 330C scopes with cross hair reticles and 330 Scope - M.8's with post reticles were furnished for the first few thousand M1903A4's. (probably Feb-May 43)

Thereafter three major variations of the M73B1 were delivered by Weaver:
1. A commercially marked 330C with M73B1 nomenclature and s/n electropenciled on the side of the tube. (Probably Jun, Jul, Aug 43)

2. A military marked M73B1 with the nomenclature and Weaver's name and address on the W/E plate and the s/n electropenciled on the tube.(Probably Sept 43-Mar 44)


3. A military marked M73B1 with GI part numbers, no mention of Weaver and the s/n electropenciled on the W/E plate. (Apr 44 - 1945 - Spares)

Frankford Arsenal also made a small number of M73B1's. (in late 43)

The dates listed above have basically been extrapolated from the a table showing shipments of rifles by month aligned with a rough estimate of the known range of scope serial numbers. Again they are an approximation.

I hope this helps.

Regards,

Jim

[RBruce]

What about the Lyman Alaskan?

[JGaynor]

What about the Lyman Alaskan?

It was approved as the M73 and is even mentioned in two 1943 TM's but none were delivered in time for original A4 production. Some eventually made it on to M1C's.

In 1956 a directive waas issued authoriaing the use of the M73, M81 and M82 (all Lyman Alaskan derivatives) on the A4 on an "exhaust" basis although the primary scope continued to be the M73B1 with the M84 as an authorized substitute.

Regards.

Jim

[Hollywood]

Very helpfull! How about through Korea and Vietnam? Were K4's ever used?

[JGaynor]

Very helpfull! How about through Korea and Vietnam? Were K4's ever used?

Reportedly about 2000 sets of 7/8" Redfield rings were delivered in anticipation of the M73 being delivered in Sept of 43. So the necessary scopes and rings would have been in the supply system during Korea.

By the Vietnam era the standard issue scope was the M84. Its certainly possible some other scopes were used since 1" Redfield rings were widely available and would have fit.

I have reliable information on at least 4 or 5 A4's in either USMC Quantico or US Navy hands with Weaver K4's, Weaver V7 and even one with a Redfield 3-9x. Whether any of these combinations risew to being standard issue is another matter.

Regards,

Jim

[Chuckindenver]

It was approved as the M73 and is even mentioned in two 1943 TM's but none were delivered in time for original A4 production. Some eventually made it on to M1C's.

In 1956 a directive waas issued authoriaing the use of the M73, M81 and M82 (all Lyman Alaskan derivatives) on the A4 on an "exhaust" basis although the primary scope continued to be the M73B1 with the M84 as an authorized substitute.

Regards.

Jim

iv seen D day battle footage of an A4 with a M73 {Lyman Ak} sitting on top.
though it could have been any beach during WW2, however, it was a Lyman scope, sure ad rain.

[JGaynor]

Army Ground Forces did not approve the military version of the Lyman Alaskan until Oct 44 - In time for eventual use on the M1C. As mentioned before the substantial quantities of Alaskans ordered for the A4 program never materialized. This was due to the fact that Lyman's lens supplier, Bausch & Lomb, was unable to provide the lenses.

Quite probably the scope you saw was someone's personal property. Given a choice I think most shooters would have rather had an Alaskan then the Weaver.

Regards,

Jim

[Chuckindenver]

next time the History channel has the D day marathon, make sure you tape it or watch it,,look close for the guy running away from the camera,.
youll see he has a Lyman AK on his rifle...
id never BS ya,,unless you have a good looking sister lol.

[JGaynor]

next time the History channel has the D day marathon, make sure you tape it or watch it,,look close for the guy running away from the camera,.
youll see he has a Lyman AK on his rifle...
id never BS ya,,unless you have a good looking sister lol.

I've no doubt you saw what you saw chuck...I'm not so confident in the History Channel..they'ed use film from Private Ryan if they thought they could get away with it ... no sister BTW and she'd be pretty long in the tooth anyway

Jim