1903A1 Unertl Sniper on Broker

[Jim Tarleton]

If you encounter a Marine target/sniper rifle with a set of bases that are crooked or canted, you can rest assured that the Marines did not mount those bases! As for the 1941A1 snipers, please don't anyone try to convince me that the Philadelphia Depot would have turned out shoddy or crappy work. They actually made the majority of the Mann-Niedner bases used on the A5's, and probably made the Unertl bases as well. They were world class machinists/gunsmiths - period. Every base would have been mounted identical to all the others. Every handguard would have looked like the others. They did not have a bunch of Privates mounting this stuff. Show me a documented 1941A1 Marine sniper rifle with a rear base not butted up to the rear base - just one.

jt

[Lt1]

Sir here is a thread from another forum discussing the famous photo of a Marine firing a 03 Unertl Siniper across the Han river in Korea . Take note of the reply from a member that had shot the rifle that still exists today .


I thought the forum might be interested to know that the rifle shown in the photo still exists. It was in fact sporterized in Korea (a captioned photograph verifies this) and was recently returned to its "original" condition. Further, if this rifle showed up at a gun show it would be berated as a fake. That is because the rear sight mount is canted off to the side; however, not enough that the scope cannot be properly sighted. I had a chance to shoot this rifle a while ago and it was indeed an honor.

[Jim Tarleton]

Sir here is a thread from another forum discussing the famous photo of a Marine firing a 03 Unertl Siniper across the Han river in Korea . Take note of the reply from a member that had shot the rifle that still exists today .


I thought the forum might be interested to know that the rifle shown in the photo still exists. It was in fact sporterized in Korea (a captioned photograph verifies this) and was recently returned to its "original" condition. Further, if this rifle showed up at a gun show it would be berated as a fake. That is because the rear sight mount is canted off to the side; however, not enough that the scope cannot be properly sighted. I had a chance to shoot this rifle a while ago and it was indeed an honor.

Someone needs to explain how they know it is the same rifle. A "captioned photo" means nothing. The rifle in the photo was captured by the North Koreans and recaptured by the Marines. How did it get left in Korea? Who left it there and who sporterized it? Sounds like a real good BS story to me, but I am willing to listen to a good tale any old day. I stand by my original statement.

jt

[Lt1]

. Obviously your mind is made and I am NOt trying to change it . I can tell you that a 1939 NM rifle serial# 15266xx verified by J Beard also has a slight left canted rear mount base .. Appears the machinist at Philly MC depot did botch a few intentionally or unintentionally ? Concerning sight bases butted against the rear sight ?? Check your Shenichs book You may find one of the rifles in his photographs has a non butted base . Is it the proof you seek ? I never say never.. I find a myopic view offen results in one missing a treasure . Thanks for the exchange .

Here`s the thread from Culvers concerning the 03 Korean sniper
USMC Sniper in Korea

[Jim Tarleton]

Actually, I have changed my mind on many fronts, but I simply cannot picture the Philly Depot releasing a sniper rifle with an obvious canted rear base. They didn't mount those bases with a hand drill. Those guys mounted hundreds of bases, and they knew the proper procedure to align the holes. I suspect they used a jig, and someone inspected their work after they finished. They didn't do passable work, they were experts in their fields. I just don't buy it. I once worked at Albany (Philly's successor), and they start you out safety wiring for weeks on end. You progress slowly and meticulously. Those old guys did superb work, and so did Philly.

jt

[John Beard]

. Obviously your mind is made and I am NOt trying to change it . I can tell you that a 1939 NM rifle serial# 15266xx verified by J Beard also has a slight left canted rear mount base .. Appears the machinist at Philly MC depot did botch a few intentionally or unintentionally ? Concerning sight bases butted against the rear sight ?? Check your Shenichs book You may find one of the rifles in his photographs has a non butted base . Is it the proof you seek ? I never say never.. I find a myopic view offen results in one missing a treasure . Thanks for the exchange .

Here`s the thread from Culvers concerning the 03 Korean sniper
USMC Sniper in Korea

Some of the rifles in Senich's book are fake. And, while we're at it, some of the rifles in Brophy's book are fake also. I don't say this in criticism of their work. Indeed, I deeply appreciate their books. I'm just stating facts.

J.B.

[Lt1]

Thank you JB for the post . Actually I did agree at least 90% with JT on the 1942assembly requirements at Philly . I didn`t want to be the first to use the "F " word reguarding Senich . I could see nothing wrong with beating the dead Horse to see where the discussion would lead . However I still am not convinced ALL sniper blocks were butted to the sight base ie 30s 5A Lyman scope blocks,, What`s to preclude one of those SA Assembled rifles from falling into the mix ? Any thoughts ?

"If you are too old to learn something new Then You always were"

[John Beard]

Thank you JB for the post . Actually I did agree at least 90% with JT on the 1942assembly requirements at Philly . I didn`t want to be the first to use the "F " word reguarding Senich . I could see nothing wrong with beating the dead Horse to see where the discussion would lead . However I still am not convinced ALL sniper blocks were butted to the sight base ie 30s 5A Lyman scope blocks,, What`s to preclude one of those SA Assembled rifles from falling into the mix ? Any thoughts ?

"If you are too old to learn something new Then You always were"

I would be very, very skeptical of a USMC Unertl sniper rifle in which the rear scope block was not butted against the rear sight base.

J.B.

[mike radford]

Interesting thread and thanks to all for commenting. The more of these I look at, the more I see on auctions, the more I read on the internet, the more folks I talk to, the more I see in magazines and reference books, the more diverse information I get.