Opinions please on this Remington 1903-A4

[ghost07]

I recently purchased this block 1 1903-A4 sn 3124806 with a barred date of 9/43. I would greatly appreciate your comments on its authenticity and condition. I have used Pryor’s book Collecting the American Sniper Rifle 1900 to 1945 as my main reference. Based on the book it appears that the receiver, bolt, stock, barrel, trigger guard and butt plate are correct. I have not disassembled it yet to get a complete picture of it. The only thing I have found which does not look completely correct is the scope. The adjusting plate on my scope is marked Telescope M73B1, Stock NO. 7579931, Serial NO. Blank, 7635029. On the right side of the scope is Serial No. and in electro pencil “34149”. According to Pryor this is the correct scope for a Block 3 rifle. I requested and obtained a letter from CMP stating that this rifle was sold at their online auction on September 14, 2004. I believe that would explain the sight difference because I don’t believe sniper rifles sold by CMP included scopes. I asked my gunsmith to take a good look at it and he believes it has been shot very little. This is based on both the condition of the stock and action, especially the cartouches, and the fact that he found some cosmoline in the receiver, scope mount and the area between the bottom of the folllower spring and floor plate was full of cosmoline. Finally there is no arsenal mark on the left side of the butt stock and only a single “P” proof on the bottom of the stock which should indicate it has never been rearsenaled. Thank you for you information and comments. Nothing is better than hearing the people who know.

Larry Muench

[John Beard]

First of all, the serial number you posted is not an M'03-A4 serial number. The inspection stamps in your rifle's stock appear to be fake. I can assure you that the CMP does not apply fake inspection stamps. Also, I see no evidence of shims under the front scope mount base. And finally, I concur that the telescope appears to be a later model scope based on the markings.

J.B.

[ghost07]

John my sincere apologies. I entered a wrong serial number. It’s 3423806 which is a Block 1 serial number. Thanks

[Salt Flat]

Hi Ghost07, Can you show us a picture of the "U.S. REMINGTON and MODEL 03-A3" markings?
Also a picture of the serial number.

[ghost07]

Thank you for looking. Here are the pictures you requested. Please let me know if you need anything else.

Larry

[Chuckindenver]

receiver is genuine, thats were it ends, scope is not genuine, bolt is not genuine, stock is very suspect, at least the markings are.

[Salt Flat]

Hey Ghost07 -- Thanks for posting the pictures. I agree with Chuck. The receiver markings look genuine. We have seen some that were very crudely faked. Salt Flat

[Chuckindenver]

do yourself a favor, toss poyers book in the trash, compare the markings on your scope, that are likely done on a data plate from a Malcom repo scope, to my original mint scope

[Salt Flat]

Ghost07, I think you are right about the scope. I did a little research online and it seems to be a legit M73b1 (Type III). The markings are a little different than the earlier M73b1's and do not include the Weaver name. Check these links out:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=51886&page=1
M73B1 Type I, II, III? | Gunboards Forums

[Chuckindenver]

the font on the scope isnt indexed like it should be. and not deep enough in one spot as it is in others. look at how straight and nicely indexed the lettering is on this scope