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U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle with Winchester A5 Telescopic Sight

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Long Guns - Rifles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle with Winchester A5 Telescopic Sight
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U.S. Model 1903 Springfield Rifle with Winchester A5 Telescopic Sight

This is a fine example of a scarce U.S. Springfield Armory, Model 1903 rifle manufactured circa 1913, that is fitted with a Winchester A5 telescopic sight with Winchester mounts. The Marine Corps and to a lesser extent the Army installed Winchester A5 telescopic sights on a few Model 1903 rifles in the 1914-1915 period for testing and use in competition. The Marines took some of their telescopic sighted Model 1903 target rifles to France in 1917 for issue to snipers. In his book "'03 Springfield Service Rifle" author Bruce Canfield lists serial numbers for Model 1903 rifles fitted with A5 telescopic sights in the 470,000 serial number range. The scope blocks are mounted on the barrel and receiver 7 1/4 inches center-to-center. The handguard is milled to allow installation/removal of the sight. The A5 sight has a commercial blue finish with a correct, standard cross-hair, wire reticle. The top of the scope tube is roll-stamped with the two-line Winchester address and patent dates followed by the model designation "A5". The rifle has the pre-war blue and casehardened finish. The one-bolt stock and "high hump" handguard are oil finished black walnut. The rifle has a fine checkered buttplate, early pointed trigger, and dished and knurled rear sight windage and elevation knobs. All of the receiver markings except for "U.S." and the serial number, "547038" are covered by the rear telescopic sight base. The top of the barrel is stamped with "SA" above the Ordnance insignia and the date "4-13". The safety and magazine cut-off have the early style Roman markings with serif letters. There are no proof or final inspection marks on the stock. The forearm tip is stamped with the small Springfield "S".

Manufacture: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1903
BBL: 24 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 30 06
Finish: blue/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: 547038

Very good as assembled. The rifle retains traces of the original blue, mostly in the protected area, under the stock and handguard with the balance/exposed metal surfaces having turned a mottled silver-gray patina. The case hardened parts retain 30% of their finish also in the protected areas. The stock and forearm are very good with scattered minor handling marks. The stock has been lightly sanded and the edges of the grasping grooves are rounded. The A5 telescopic sight and mounts are excellent and retains more than 95% of the original commercial blue finish, with excellent, sharp markings on the tube with excellent optics. This is a very good example of a pre-WWI M1903 rifle fitted with a Winchester A5 telescopic sight. The rifle is similar to the scoped Model 1903 rifles used in combat in France by Marine snipers in 1918, but predates these and was most likely used by a rifle team competing in shooting matches.