Question on 03-A4 from SPR

[Garandrew]

I just noticed, [I never had an 03-A4 when SPR first came out], Jackson had both the Weaver type M73B1, and Unertl on his rifle..werent the mounts different? A USMC Unertl couldnt mount on the 03-A4 Redfield..?
Also noted, no lock bars on the M1 rifles, must be all 1941 rifles...? :-)
Andy

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

the rifle in question, is a total Hollywood deal, not even a real A3 for that matter,
you can find all kinds of real info on the 1903A4 all over the net, though its a great movie, that really not a good place to get info on the US military weapons.

[mark1]

Most movies try to get "within" the period firearms but due to shortages and not knowing or maybe caring sometimes ends up with the wrong firearms. Most people are not watching the firearms but the movie. Watch Hogan Heros. Sargent Schultz carries a Krag rifle.
Mark1

[JGaynor]

I just noticed, [I never had an 03-A4 when SPR first came out], Jackson had both the Weaver type M73B1, and Unertl on his rifle..werent the mounts different? A USMC Unertl couldnt mount on the 03-A4 Redfield..?
Also noted, no lock bars on the M1 rifles, must be all 1941 rifles...? :-)
Andy

They had two chances to get Jackson's A4 right and blew it both times. The scope that was on the rifle when he hit the beach was not an M73B1 or any member of the Weaver family. The w/e Turrets are located forward on the tube - It's most likely a Lyman Alaskan. Not a bad choice except that they were not fielded.
You're right about the Unertl - it uses special mounts where the scope is allowed to slide not the fixed rings of the Redfield.
Other gaffs - well swapping scopes in the middle of a firefight is too ridiculous for words. Another one is when Jackson Twists the front lens cell (the parallax adjustment) and gives it "two clicks for elevation".

[Chuckindenver]

the scope used at the tower, was a Lyman Ak with a lens booster screwed on the end.
iv seen actuall D day footage of an A4 with a M81 on top, though i saw it only for a second, it was a Lyman Ak, and not a Weaver.
they show a closeup of the scope when hes about to take the shot, look close, you can see it.

[JGaynor]

the scope used at the tower, was a Lyman Ak with a lens booster screwed on the end.
iv seen actuall D day footage of an A4 with a M81 on top, though i saw it only for a second, it was a Lyman Ak, and not a Weaver.
they show a closeup of the scope when hes about to take the shot, look close, you can see it.

ChucK have to disagree my friend. If you watch the movie again you will see Jackson with the long green Unertl scope case slung over his shoulder right from the early scenes at the beach obstacle.

It might ahve been possible for an M73 (plain vanilla Alaskan) to be in a D-day film but the M81/82 didn't exist until January 45. I doubt many (if any) saw service in WW2.

You know i really liked SPR as a movie. But you have put me in mnd of yet another sniper gaff. When the squad is rushing the machine gun at the radar site the goof ball clerk, Upham, has Jackson's Alaskan dismounted from the rifles using it as a half-assed spy glass

The technical advisors were asleep at the switch


Regards,

Jim G

[Chuckindenver]

ill have to see if i can search the history channel site, and see if i can find the bit on Dday landing, your right, had the model numbers mixed up.
the scope i saw was a plain AK, had no sunshade.
couldnt tell what kind of rings it had, it was only a second view, but enough, to see turrets mid line and not at the rear like a 330 vairant.
whay i was told by a guy that did some of the weapons work on that and other movies, that they used a National Ord, receiver to build that rifle, if you look close at the bell tower sceen, you can see it, when the show a closeup, look at a Nat Ord or Santa Fe next to a GI receiver, youll spot it pretty quick.