Springfield 1903A1 USMC Sniper Rifle J-Unertl Scope Miltec .30-06 Bolt Action 1938
Our 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 Springfield 1903 has been refurbished by Miltec and is now in 1903A1 USMC Sniper configuration. The rifle has a strong & bright bore and comes with a fixed 8 power Unertl scope. The rifle comes in a wooden storage crate. The rifle looks great and the wooden crate can be used to display it.
Make: Springfield Armory
Model: 1903. This 1903 has been refurbished by Miltech and is now in 1903A1 USMC Sniper configuration.
Serial Number: 1522245
Year of Manufacture: 1938. Barrel Date: May 1942
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 rear of the scope is marked "J.UNERTL / OPT CO. / 14545". The view is mostly clear with a few small black flecks along the outer edge. The cross hair wire is no longer in place. The scope shows light scrapes. The scope is in Good condition.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The two piece hardwood stock has a straight grip, metal nose cap with bayonet lug, stacking loop, barrel band, 2 sling loops, 2 through bolts, and a metal buttplate with hinged door for storage. The handguard has been cut for the front scope base. The stock hardware has been refinished. The wood shows a few small handling marks. The LOP measures 13 inches from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The stock rates in about excellent overall condition as refurbished.
Type of Finish: Gun Paint
Finish Originality: Refinished
Bore Condition: The grooves are semi bright. The rifling is deep. There is fouling in the bore that should clean up some. There is some light oxidation and the muzzle. The bore shows an M.E. of 1.5.In this writer's opinion, this bore rates 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish as refinished. The metal shows scuffs and light handing marks. The rear sight shows thinning under the sliding blade. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads show use. The markings range from deep to partially faded. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition as refinished.
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: he rifle has a leather sling attached. The rifle comes with a scope assembly (see above), an M1 bayonet & scabbard, and 5 stripper clips. The bayonet mounts the rifle. The rifle is stored in a wooden crate that is marked with the rifle's information.
CA LEGALITY: CA Classified C&R: YES. PPT: NO
RIFLE