Springfield 1903A1 USMC Sniper Rifle J-Unertl Scope .30-06 Bolt Action 1934Our Assessment:When the US Army was looking for a rifle design to replace the 1898 Krag rifle, they looked directly at the Spanish Model 1893 Mauser. This was due to the fact that the performance of the Model 1893 Mauser was far superior than that of the 1898 Krag during the Spanish-American War. The Model 1903 is basically a redesigned Mauser clone. A U.S. Patent Court eventually found that the U.S. Army had violated Mauser's patents and required the U.S. Army to pay the German Mauser manufacturers patent royalties. Payments were stopped once WWI started. The 1903 has a strong reliable action that served the Army for over thirty years in two world wars.Marine Corps modified M1903A1 USMC Unertl Sniper Rifles were accurate sniper rifles issued during WWII. They remained in limited service with the Marines during the Korean Conflict. The total production of these rifles is believed to be under 1000 rifles. This 1903 Sniper looks great and has clear Springfield markings on the barrel and receiver. The 8-power Unertl scope is marked "J.UNERTL / USMC-SNIPER".
Make:Springfield Armory
Model:1903A1 Sniper Rifle
Serial Number:1482172
Year of Manufacture:1934Barrel Date: December 1936
Caliber:.30-06 Springfield
Action Type:Bolt Action, Internal Magazine
Barrel Length:24"
Sights / Optics:The front sight is a pinned blade set in a raised base. The rear sight is a U notched blade attached to a fully adjustable sight ladder. When flipped up separate notches and an aperture on the ladder can be used for sighting. Sight bases have been installed on the barrel and receiver. They are secured by screws. Two rings hold the fixed 8-power scope to the bases. The Unertl scope is marked "J.UNERTL / USMC-SNIPER / 1770". It uses a cross-hair and dot reticle. The view is slightly dim with small flecks around the edge. The scope tube shows light surface erosion.
Stock Configuration & Condition:The two piece hardwood "C" stock has a pistol grip, metal nose cap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts, and a checkered metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The handguard has been cut for the front scope base. The stock shows a few light scrapes and handling marks. The LOP measures 13 1/4 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fine Plus overall condition.
Type of Finish:Parkerized
Finish Originality:Original to Rebuild
Bore Condition:The muzzle & grooves are light gray and show erosion. The muzzle shows an M.E. of 3.2. In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition:This rifle retains about 97% of its metal finish. The blued bottom metal has cleaned surface erosion showing through the new finish. The metal shows some small scrapes as well as a scratch on the barrel. The action shows as operational wear. Some of the screw heads show heavy use. The markings on the metal are well defined. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good Plus condition.
Mechanics:The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. We have cleaned this firearm and performed a mechanic's check but expect many will want to clean the firearm again depending on their standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories:The rifle comes with a scope assembly (see above), a 1942 dated Model 1907 sling, and a USMC front sight protector.
CA LEGALITY:CA Classified C&R: YES. PPT: NO
RIFLE