M1903a4 Restoration Project

[ssgross]

I'd like to find the correct parts.

The a4 I'm doing now, and the conversion I did last, were lucky enough to be older sporters and had their original Redfield Jr. bases on them. All I had to do was find split top rings. I found 2 sets of slit tops, one in 3/4 and another in 7/8. The rings were blued, and the bases had been blued too. An easy fix if I every decide to go original parkerized.
Right now I only have repro scopes. but, with new wood, I don't see the point of springing for original glass.

[champ0608]

The a4 I'm doing now, and the conversion I did last, were lucky enough to be older sporters and had their original Redfield Jr. bases on them.

Very lucky indeed. I'm surprised how hard it is to find the original parkerized base, or even a commercial blued version from the time period with the same stamp and contours. Surprisingly difficult.

[ssgross]

or even a commercial blued version from the time period with the same stamp and contours. Surprisingly difficult.

They are all on rifles made up in the late 50's . Fortunate for me, many of them were neglected and abused, and being sold off now for cheap as relative scrap.
Here is how the a3 I converted came to me...
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....l=1#post496214
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread....l=1#post496244

[champ0608]

I thought it would take me longer to get an M73b1 and an original Redfield Jr mount, but I just won this scope, original mount, and original rings on ebay. The auction had 34 watchers, so I bet some of you were following along. It wasn't cheap, but it looks like its in great shape, and its the first original mount I've seen anywhere, so for what I paid, and for what I have into the rifle, I think it was a bargain.