[OLD TOUCH]

I have just come across a BEAUTIFUL Very nice condition 03-A1/ Unertl 8 power scope, I would say that it is in about 85 to 90 percent condition, but I can find no manufacturers name anywhere on it unless it is under some of the woodwork somewhere, underneath the rear scope mount there are 4 numbers that look like 5563 but without taking the mount loose I can not tell for sure.
Is there anyone out there that might have any information that would help me in putting a value on the weapon or that would lead me to find out any history on this wonderful piece of history.

 

[spade]

Do a search on Amazon.com for the Blue Book of Gun Values. Its about 4 inches thick and gives you prices for different conditions. Will run you around 40 dollars.

 

[mele]

You need to get in contact with a collector expert of these rifles. There are various areas on the net that can help. Before purchasing, you need to find out for sure that it is an original sniper, as its pretty easy to make a replica.

MEL

 

[Jay]

Your tallking about the Springfield 1903 model rifles? If so, the markings are under the scope mount forward of the bolt. To see it, you would have to remove the scope and mount. I had to do this on my RAI 1903, if you have the original Unertl scope for that rifle, its a nice piece to have, not too many of them floating around from what i have heard and read. Post some pics if you can.

Go to www.m1903.com, i ran your serial number and this is what it says about it:

"The year of manufacture for serial number 5563 is 1903.

All rifles recalled and rechambered for .30 caliber in 1906.

Improved heat treatment started at 800,000.

Introduction of nickel steel started at 1275767.

Model 1903A1 rifles were made after 1929 with a full pistol grip type C stock, but were otherwise the same as earlier Model 1903 Rifles and marked Model 1903.

About 25,000 National Match rifles were scattered throughout production from about 1920 to 1940, and many can be documented by serial number to their original purchaser by payment of a fee to Springfield Research Service, Silver Spring MD."

 

[OLD TOUCH]

Thanks

I would like to thank you guys for the very quick response, from what you have told me and by going to the link provided I have found out that this is a U.S. ROCK ISLAND Model, and it has been laying underneath a friend of the families bed for over fifty years he has not dug it out. It was wrapped in an oil cloth and put away back in the 40's, I can not seem to get him to rember how he came about it though, he does rember being stationed in the Alutian Islands during the first part of WWI

 

[Jay]

Re: Thanks

I would like to thank you guys for the very quick response, from what you have told me and by going to the link provided I have found out that this is a U.S. ROCK ISLAND Model, and it has been laying underneath a friend of the families bed for over fifty years he has not dug it out. It was wrapped in an oil cloth and put away back in the 40's, I can not seem to get him to rember how he came about it though, he does rember being stationed in the Alutian Islands during the first part of WWI

YES! Another RIA owner! Post pics of it please, i wanna see the condition of it. My RIA is in really good condition, all the pics i have seen of other RIA 30-06's are in far worse condition, rust, and gunk and not very pretty to look at. Take care if it, they are a very nice rifle. I got pics of my RIA in the "heavy barrel 30-06" thread i made.

 

[OLD TOUCH]

Original Sniper ?

Well I have not got any photos of it as of yet, I am still trying to figure out how Photobucket works, (I hope that does not show you all how backwoods I am).
As far as I can tell what with a SN# of only 4 digits and not haveing had the bolt drilled it is unsafe to fire, it has the stock of a 1903A3 but it also has a SN# on the Unertl scope that coincides with those of the original MARINE SNIPER.
I am unsure about taking it down, but I am worried about what kind of shape it may be in under the woodwork, the scope and mounts must come off to find out if there is an rust underneath the stock.
I will continue to try to get photobucket to work and keep you guys informed as to what I find out.

 

[Jay]

Yeah some of the older 03's, you never know the real condition until you take that stock off. I was lucky and mine was in great condition, to the point where there was no rust what so ever anywhere on it. I finaly finished the new stock, Harris bipod, scope and custom made scope mount to fit a 50mm optical, she is ready to take to the range. Im actualy waiting on a buddy of mine to get his ass here cuz i cant wait to get out and shoot, lol.

 

[OLD TOUCH]

Jay's toy

Jay it sounds as though you have a beautiful waepon on your hands and you need to post a few photos of your own

 

[ag3nt]

springfeid 1903

yo did they use this springfeid 1903 sniper rifle in world war 2?

ag3nt

 

[Jeff_850]

Re: springfeid 1903

yo did they use this springfeid 1903 sniper rifle in world war 2?

ag3nt

yes

 

[Jay]

Re: Jay's toy

Jay it sounds as though you have a beautiful waepon on your hands and you need to post a few photos of your own

I had a thread going about my 1903, i had some questions about it, and at the end of the thread on the 2nd page i have some pics of it. That was with the new stock, but not the scope or bipod. I took it out on saturday to the range, and after finaly getting the scope somewhat honed in, the scope decided it wanted to jump and move after every shot. So after dealing with that, i put her back in the case and shot about 300 rounds of my .22. I need to get the mount in order before i go again.

 

[OLD TOUCH]

Scope or Mount ?

Hey Jay ? You did not say what your scope is, and unless you know for a fact that you are having problems with you Mount then you might check into the scope, some of them just wont handle the recoil of that caliber and I would have to say that the scope is going to be the problem before the mount will be.
Take care Man !
Rusty

 

[Mike Hull]

..

 

[Jay]

Re: Scope or Mount ?

Hey Jay ? You did not say what your scope is, and unless you know for a fact that you are having problems with you Mount then you might check into the scope, some of them just wont handle the recoil of that caliber and I would have to say that the scope is going to be the problem before the mount will be.
Take care Man !
Rusty

Yeah its my scope mount. Its a modfied mount made by yours truely, lol. And i find out that the recoil of the 30-06 is equivilent to a kick of a mule, and yes i have facts to back this up, lol just kidding. And the reason why it moves when fired is due to my fabulous handy skills. The scope mount that was on there was made by Buehler (sp?), which is in Orinda California, lucky me thats about 15 minutes down the freeway from here. I dont know if they are still in business, but i think im gonna go take a looksy and see if they have something to fit my scope. The scope i have on there now is a cheap NcStar 6-24x50.

When i say cheap i mean price wise, i got it as a gift. But the optics are very very crisp and clear, and it looks to be a well made scope. I have gotten attached to it, the adjustments are dead on for each click, 1/8" @ 100yds. So i cant complain, it might not be as good as a $600 scope, but it works for me, and i can see clearly with it.

 

[OLD TOUCH]

Mules

Jay ! Stick with what works for you, I have seen very expensive scopes that were not worth their weight in scrap, some of them were mine,(bummer man) I have had more than my share of black and blue marks over the years and a few eyebrows recut here and there, from the kick of the 30-06, I have even been kicked by a few mules back home on the farm, personnally I will take the kick from the 06

 

[Jay]

Re: Mules

Jay ! Stick with what works for you, I have seen very expensive scopes that were not worth their weight in scrap, some of them were mine,(bummer man) I have had more than my share of black and blue marks over the years and a few eyebrows recut here and there, from the kick of the 30-06, I have even been kicked by a few mules back home on the farm, personnally I will take the kick from the 06

I hear ya man. Im happy with the set up i have right now, im not able to get it set dead accurate right now, ive only taken it out twice to shoot. And when its near freezing temps at the range, it makes for numb hands and a shakey hold. But all my rounds were hitting the 7 inch bull at 100YDs. So in my book, it makes for a damn good deer rifle. I can get a Remm 700 later for my long range plinking.

 

[muzzleblast]

Its an awesome rifle, and I'm sure once you get the opportunity to really start shooting and playing with ammo those groups tighten right up. If I was a deer in your area I'd start seriously watching my butt lol.

 

[Ballistic_Coefficiency]

I know this is not a USMC version... but im sure it will help you find more markings on yours.

Remington M-1903-A4 US Army Sniper Rifle

Reciever Right Side

Reciever Left Side

Bottom Stock Markings

Grip Markings

Bolt Markings

Barrel Markings (not shown : under rear top hand guard on top of barrel should be marked A4 upside down [bottom of A4 facing muzzle] on ALL star proofed barrels)

Weaver 330 4X scope

Weaver 330 4X scope up close

 

[mele]

Beautiful rifle!

MEL