M73B1 Questions

[Mike D]

1) Were some ring screws blued? I thought they were all case-colored.

2) Were early scopes post reticule? I thought they were all cross-hair.

Link to the scope in question - 1903A4 M73B1 330 Sniper Scope Mint With Rings : Scopes at GunBroker.com


No offense to the seller, it looks like a great scope.

Information

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[JGaynor]

1) Were some ring screws blued? I thought they were all case-colored.

2) Were early scopes post reticule? I thought they were all cross-hair.

Link to the scope in question - 1903A4 M73B1 330 Sniper Scope Mint With Rings : Scopes at GunBroker.com


No offense to the seller, it looks like a great scope.

Mike I have not seen an M73B1 with a serial number that low before. The best information available IMO (Campbell, 2003) indicates the earliest scopes were commercial scopes either 330C's with cross wire reticles or 330 Scope - M.8's with tapered posts. In other words the really early scopes would not have had the military nomenclature electo-penciled or stamped.

For Weavers part both the 330C (click adjustable) and 330S(screw adjustable) commercial scopes were catalogued with cross wires or posts.

Considering the ease with which a 330C can be turned into an "m73B1" i would proceed with caution.

Regards,
Jim

[Promo]

I also have two Redfield bases with blued ring screws, both are carrying M73B1 (though one came with an additional 330C). Will have to look up the S/N of the scopes. All of my 330C/M73B1 have cross reticle.

Have to add that I personally know of a 03A4 with a Weaver M8 scope with post reticle, S/N of that one is in the 4.994.XXX range.

[Mike Haas]

1) Were some ring screws blued? I thought they were all case-colored.

2) Were early scopes post reticule? I thought they were all cross-hair.

Link to the scope in question - 1903A4 M73B1 330 Sniper Scope Mint With Rings : Scopes at GunBroker.com


No offense to the seller, it looks like a great scope.

Mike D - The limited pictures fail to provide enough detail for me to authenticate the engraving on the scope tube as legitimate. I intend to send an email to the seller requesting a better close up picture of that area. If I get a response I'll post my opinion.

As to the Serial # 1356 that Jim G mentioned; I have one record of the 330 scope serilized lower than that (Serial # 1155). That scope had X-Hairs. My record on #1155 has no info concerning its rings or ring screws. I'll have to check my A4 and M73B1 Scope to see what the ring screws look like.

It is indeed an interesting piece which requires investigation!!

Mike Haas

[Mike Haas]

Mike D - The limited pictures fail to provide enough detail for me to authenticate the engraving on the scope tube as legitimate. I intend to send an email to the seller requesting a better close up picture of that area. If I get a response I'll post my opinion.

As to the Serial # 1356 that Jim G mentioned; I have one record of the 330 scope serilized lower than that (Serial # 1155). That scope had X-Hairs. My record on #1155 has no info concerning its rings or ring screws. I'll have to check my A4 and M73B1 Scope to see what the ring screws look like.

It is indeed an interesting piece which requires investigation!!

Mike Haas

I sent the seller an email and received a fast, pleasant response with four photos. After close examination I noted that the electro-pencil engraving differed from what I see in most M73B1 Scopes. Otherwise it appears excellant.

The above being said I cannot opine that the scope is not original or correct as I've only had one (1) scope reported earlier than the sellers (Serial # 1155) and the photo of that scope is not clear enough to offer a comparison of the engraving.

The Serial # 1356 is early enough and under the heavy demand for fast procument of these scopes that the engraving was acceptable at the time; the same being true for the Post Reticle as opposed to X-Hair reticle.

I sincerely hope I haven't harmed the sellers sale nor encouraged any buyer. I'd truely love to examine that scope in my hands. It is indeed a very interesting piece!!

Mike Haas

[Johnny Peppers]

"Fire Blued" normally refers to metal that has been highly polished and then heat blued. Has anyone seen fire blued screws used in the rings? The screws in mine are the same casehardening as the windage screws in the base.

On another forum there was a discussion of Navy marked Nazi pistols. The Navy property mark was originally applied with a pantograph, and can be applied today with the same type equipment. As such, Navy marked pistols are among the most highly faked of all the Nazi pistols as it increases the value substantially. Some have been done long enough now until it is virtually impossible to tell the real from the fake unless done really bad.

The seller does guarantee it to be original, so that is certainly a plus.

[Mike D]

Thanks all. I have no intention of buying. Just trying to pay more attention to the '03 and A4 sniper rifles.