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U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle with Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Leather Case

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:1,700.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle with Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Leather Case
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U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle with Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Telescopic Sight and Leather Case

Model 1903 rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory circa 1919 that was subsequently assembled (possibly in the late 20th century) into a WWI sniper rifle and fitted with a Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Musket Sight. Between 1915 and 1919 a total of 3,014 Model 1913 Warner & Swasey sights were installed on Model 1903 Springfield rifles. During WWI the Model 1903 rifle fitted with the Model 1913 W&S telescopic sight was the primary U.S. Army sniper rifle with approximately 3,014 manufactured between 1915-19. Following WWI 99% of them were overhauled with the W&S sights and mounts removed and the rifles were returned to service configuration. The rifle has a blued W&S type mounting bracket secured top the left side of the receiver with three screws with left side of the stock inletted to accept the mounting bracket. The receiver, safety lever and cut-off have the standard Springfield markings with Gothic letters. The receiver has the standard markings over serial number 990718 with the barrel dated "SA/1-18", indicating this is a replacement barrel. The bolt is a later pattern that has the slightly bent backwards bolt handle with the "W3L" markings on top of the bolt handle with a single gas escape hole. The "S" grasping groove stock is stamped with a "AAS" depot cartouche over a boxed J.F.C. inspector cartouche. The underside of the stock in the grip area behind the trigger guard there is a double circled "P" proof. The forearm tip is marked with a larger P proof. The W&S telescopic sight has the standard markings and the serial number "7239" on the left side of the body. Brass drift and wind correction plates are attached by screws to the top of the sight and it retains its original rubber eyepiece which is slightly collapsed and hardened. The inside of the scope mount is stamped "FOR RIFLE NUMBER 936618". The rifle is complete with a WWI leather W&S sight case that is marked with "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/1918/T.C.C." with a "W.H.M." Ordnance inspector proof on the underside of the case. The rifle is complete with a nickel plated oiler with a string pull through and swab tip.

Manufucture: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1903
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Guage: 30-06
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 990718

Very good as assembled with 85% of a arsenal refurbished blue finish overall with wear on the edges and high spots with minor finish loss on the barrel bands. The stock is very fine with a nice original medium brown color overall, with minor handling marks and light scratches in some areas. The W&S scope retains 90% of its blackened finish overall, with wear on the edges and high spots. The optics are poor being somewhat occluded with heavy specs inside, with the windage and elevation knobs working correctly. The leather scope case is very good with nice markings showing minor wear overall with nice original markings. A nice representative example of a WWI Model 1903 sniper rifle with W&S scope.