USMC M1903A1 Sniper

[Tom Jackson]

Here are some pictures of my SA M1903A1 Sniper w/Unertl telescopic sight. The rifle, serial no. 1496359, barrel date "3-37", is a standard late production SA M1903A1 NM w/USMC modifications. The stock has the standard "SA/SPG" final inspection mark and encircled "P" proof mark. The barrel has the star-gauge mark on the muzzle and star-gauge number on the barrel. The bolt and stock are both marked with the rifle serial number. The trigger guard has the typical USMC modifications and the underside of the barrel has the fixture mark. The bolt has the distinctive blue found on USMC Sniper rifles. The scope mounts ARE NOT soddered to the barrel or receiver and the mount screws are NOT staked. I have owned this rifle since 1986 - it originally was purchased from a retired Marine colonel in San Diego. This appears to be a late production USMC M1903A1 NM rifle that was modified by the Marines to sniper configuration c. 1943.

Information

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[Promo]

Extremely nice rifle! My envies for this wonderful piece which seems to be impossible to upgrade! I especially love that the NM polishing around the rear locking lug is still visible under the USMC plum blueing!

I assume this is still the rifles original barrel, and therefore it has no vise marks below the woodline? Is the area around the rear sight base inletted additionally? And did you ever remove the scope bases and check if there are any file markings? And are the trigger guard screws staked?

Did you get the scope can with this rifle? I've never seen one like these, only the Micarta green cans, and with some very early ones the metal version of the Micarta can.

[cplstevennorton]

Yep that is a 100% real USMC Sniper. The handguard, the finish on the bolt, the serial range, and it has all the classic traits. It is all exactly right.

You read online that these are all so different but the more you look at, the more you realize they are all almost identical except minor differences. Anymore, I honestly think they would be hard to fake.

I'm jealous of the serial on your scope. lol My scope on my rifle is 2034, but I wish I could find a really early serial like that in original condition.

[cplstevennorton]

I would be very Curious if the Colonel told you any back story on it? So many times when you find these snipers, the history on them is gone, and it sounds like on this one you might know some of it.

[gsimmons]

Great rifle! Do you have any history on the USMC stiletto?

[Lt1]

"I assume this is still the rifles original barrel, and therefore it has no vise marks below the woodline? Is the area around the rear sight base inletted additionally? And did you ever remove the scope bases and check if there are any file markings? And are the trigger guard screws staked?"

Question I would think the barrel would have to be removed to D&T the receiver I don`t think one could properly drill the receiver with the barrel installed . Vice marks should be present even on the original barrel . Marks for on & off even if the original barrel was retained .opinion

Also after inletting the sight base was signs of asphaltum present on the bottom of the sight collar . Was the wood relieved where the trigger guard meets the wood at the rear guard screw

[cplstevennorton]

They didn't remove the barrel however they drilled and tappped them. I know of maybe six or seven with their original barrels, mostly in this 1.49 range. None had vice marks. But I know of about an equal number with replacement barrels, with vise marks. All have been the same early dated 1938 barrels.

On the asphaltum comment I've never heard of that one. I would be curious to hear more about that.

[Roadkingtrax]

Steven, asphaltum was a form of black paint applied to 1903 rear sight bases, and the **barreled-receivers external surfaces (**I believe).

Evidence of it here:

[cplstevennorton]

I have a Marine team Manual from 1935 and they talk about blackening the whole rear sight, the front sight, and the top of the barrel to reduce glare. Then they say to wipe the face of the ladder sight, so it only would leave the lines of the ladder in the black so it would be easy to read. That is why all the snipers have the earlier bright faced sights put on them.

I just figured they used those smudge pots or whatever to blacken them. And I've always taken that stuff to be just built up carbon from being done over and over. But I guess it could be some kind of sight black paint as well. All the rear sights on the snipers show that black crusty stuff. Heck my sniper has a white looking paint on the front sight, probably to contrast against a black bullseye.

But I will have to go back and read that manual again on that, maybe I missed exactly what they used. But I think it just says to "blacken" them. And I guess it probably was a lot of shooter preference on that too.

Thanks for responding Tim!

[cplstevennorton]

I just went back and read the team manual. They used gasoline to clean the grease off the rear sight and front sight, and then used smoke to blacken them. Then wiped the face. This sort of fits the rifles I've seen as I thought it looked more like carbon.

But I wouldn't rule out shooter preference in this equation at all.

I've seen mention of sight black digging around back then, but just never heard of the term asphaltum. I will have to keep an eye out for that.