03's from the past

[sdh1911]

I may have posted one or both of these in the past ,but, there are some new folks here that may get a kick out of them. They are both from the same source and his credentials were impeccable. The first is a true 1934, 1903A1 military issue and the second is a 1903A1NM Prototype. The finish on the prototype shows some use, my brother in law used it for hunting one year, just to bust chops, hmm.-SDH

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[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Very nice pair of rifles. What type of optics are on the prototype?

[sdh1911]

A Zeiss Drilling scope. The reason this one and a few other were taken out of the running but rather the scope source was considered un-reliable. SDH

[Chuckindenver]

nice rifles, no comment on the scope..
if you email me the serial numbers i can check SRS and the DCM sales list for you..
if they have a hit, you can get the despo of them for 50.00 i belive.

[Dan M]

+1 Nice rifles. Thanks for sharing!

[sdh1911]

Thanks for the service offer, I have a pair somewhere in my obis, but haven't been able to locate them in awhile. I looked them up a long time ago, the A1 didn't surface at that time, the Proto came up for N.M. I don't recall if they had The Service down as shipping destination at that time. Were talking about version 3 of the Springfield Research Service, but, if you'd like to take a shot the A1 is 1,457,115 The proto type is 1,456,368. The man I got them from was Lt. Col William Varney. I would gratuitously appreciate anything you may find if you have the time, Many thanks Steve From NJ

[Chuckindenver]

145368 is listed as a NMA1 and was sold in the DCM sales program.
the other isnt listed, but is within a lot of NMA1 rifles sold at the same time.
both rifles are too late to be a plain 1903A1. but right to be NMA1,s.
hate to say, i dont buy the scope story. i have a list of all the scopes tested for sniper use, and some rifles by serial number. and that scope isnt on the list.
though i dont care for Grossmans book, it does have a great section on the scope testing, as does Hatchers notebook, by the time that rifle was made, the Unertle and the Lyman was approved for use and in service.
being a NMA1 it should have a starguaged barrel, late style NS bolt serialed to the rifle, stock should also be serialed to the rifle,
might have CV marked parts, sear, trigger , cocking rod, and may be D&Ted for a Lyman receiver sight.
if both rifles came from the same person, likely they were picked up at around the same time through the DCM.
the list i have is an older original, and doesnt list standard service rifles. like SRS does,
if you post a question on the 03 board, Jim Tarlton has the SRS records. and may be willing to run them for you.
FYI: you can also contact Redstone Ars, and get the complete despo, of both rifles, for a fee, and a little time, that will say exactlly were, when , and how they were done, what Armory did the A1 work on them, and when they were sold,
they wont tell you who they were issued to, or who purchesed them from the DCM.
with those rifle, it well worth the time and money to get the history..
i own a couple rifles close to those numbers that were US Coastguard team rifles, and were modified for Drill, i restored them back,,what a shame..but they live again.
one is in a C stock, the other is in a grasping groove stock SADAL marked with a USCG plate, that im having redone.

[sdh1911]

I've got to find the Tag somewhere in the Obis thatstates: The Supply of the scopes is in serious question, Unservicable.

When I showed it to Bill Brophry he said it was correct for a private entry, So I took it to Griffin and Howe back in 1986 where I met the fellow who put the base on and he told my that was one of many as he puy on, that he had done in the late 1930's/1940's for trial use and also said that they should have used the mount rather than the one they did (Unertal)because it was a better system, but also stated that my scope was a wasted effort at that time. He told me there were many German one offs that were all a waste! Thats the straight "no $hit" asessment" I had made with that rifle. The other was Packed in U.S. wrap with grease when I got it, I also have that in the obis somewere, but, I have moved since hiding it so I wouldn't loose it ten years ago and still have an attic of stuff to go through, but, my present priority is work and building guns, when I get the time I'll din thewm up and send some pics. Many thanks for your time and input-Steve