US Marine M1903 A5 Sniper/target rifles circa 1923

[cplstevennorton]

Andrew Stolinski found these pics in the National Archives in a 1923 Telescopic Musket sight report for the US Army. It was basically detailing all the potention sniper/target variants that were out there.

It's intersting to note that these rifles are total bubba jobs. A 1917 bolt handle welded on a 1903 bolt body. Lyman 48 receiver sights used to adjust the fixed tube A5 scope like a micrometer. Bent bolt handles to clear the scopes. Custom handguards and just weird combinations.

Also I've seen a lot of rubber buttplates in trial photos such as this. Just a lot of items that I've heard many people say over the years were never possible.

Andrew will be making this report public on his webiste in the next month. It's about a 100 pages long and some really neat info if you are into sniper rifles. If this interests you, I highly suggest you join to read the report.

One thing I have learned, the Marines were the king of Bubba back then. I've actually been tempted to colorize these photos, crop them, and post as a newbie claiming I found a legit sniper rifle. Some people would have got really worked up. lol

His website is:

Archival Research Group

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