1903A4 clone - think I paid too much, but I wanted it.

[dfletcher]

I grabbed an old Litschert a few years back for about $250.00 because there was a snag of hair on the reticle. Optics were a bit fuzzy, but cleaning and a blast of air took care of everything. Sits on a 1948 made Winchester 70 in 220 Swift. So depending on the issue with your scope and how careful you are, could be that the scope can be improved without shelling out more $$$. But beware the reticle, almost impossible to see once you remove the lenses. And anything left behind such as Q tip fuzz - really shows up and major annoyance to get out.

FWIW, I would focus on the stock and exposed metal. Parkerizing by a professional would be best, but something from Brownells would work too. Lots of BLO. That nice shiney bolt handle has to go, yes?

$$$ is a renewable commodity -

[Mustang]

I would relieve the stock behind the receiver tang to prevent further damage in that area.

The original USMC 1903A1 sniper bolts appear to have been blued. The bolt in your rifle appears to be a nickel steel bolt which is worth a few hundred dollars in and of itself.

An interesting article about the USMC sniper rifle...

https://usmcweaponry.com/usmc-national-match-m1903s-m1903a1-unertl-sniper-rifle/

[Rogerbutthead]

An interesting article. Lot of Marine snipers in the 14xxxxx range.

There is a Springfield supposed Marine sniper for auction in the 10XXXXX range. By posting these pictures, I am sure if it is real, it will go beyond what I would be willing to spend, but if it is real, Unertls are out there - an 8x would be easier to find than a real Marine sniper - but here are the pics.







Production numbers put it in the 1918 build, just wonder if someone was making a clone or if it is a real sniper. Wonder what it will go for - ?

The seller has what looks to be a LE Jungle carbine for sale too, same background, so although NR - he looks real. Not a fishy buy it now price on either.

[Mustang]

I do not believe that is a genuine USMC sniper.

AFAIK, and I'm no expert, all of the USMC sniper rifles were made from mid-1930's NM and Special Target 1903's,

[Rogerbutthead]

This guy seems to know a lot about these snipers, in California as well.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=75146

Seems that there are a lot of clones out there.

[dfletcher]

Well, this thread inspired me to join in the game.

A while back I bought a repro 03A4 scope and mount figuring I had an inexpensive Gibbs 1903A4 repro in the bag, but it slipped away. Can't let that sort of thing go to waste. Checked GB this AM and threw out a bid and let it sit.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/1036254266

Will go to a LGS in Oregon - no tax, $10.00 transfer fee.

I'm going to set up a "go fund me" page and expect all the enablers who contributed to this thread to pony up a few quid.

[Mustang]

That was a pretty fair deal, Fletch

[dfletcher]

That was a pretty fair deal, Fletch

Thanks.

Durys is a pretty solid seller. But I'm certain the front screw hole on the mount is going to drop right in the center of the two screw holes on top of the receiver. Why can't things be simple and easy?

[Rogerbutthead]

Nice gun.

Good luck with it.

[highpower]

Thanks.

Durys is a pretty solid seller. But I'm certain the front screw hole on the mount is going to drop right in the center of the two screw holes on top of the receiver. Why can't things be simple and easy?

It shouldn't be all that difficult to get a new hole D&T'ed on that rifle. According to Chuck in Denver, he has seen many of these 'A4 cones improperly drilled off center, so it is probably a good thing that is hasn't already been drilled for the Redfield mount.

I crave a '03-A1 Marine sniper, even a decent clone would do. The prices have kept me out of that game, so I think Roger's clone was all-in-all a rather decent deal. Even though he'll have a few more bucks in it getting the scope repaired, it will be a cool thing to have. The only thing I would do to it beyond fixing the scope, is to reshape the handguard to more resemble an original.

A few months back I posted up my 'A4 restoration and have been very happy with how it came out. One thing I learned (the hard way) is that it is often the case where the front of the scope mount needs shimming. The Army even had a set of steel shims as part of the maintenance program for them.

[Rogerbutthead]

Interesting developments on that Marine Corp Sniper missing the Unertl, first someone must have said it was a fake auction because that warning about if you have seen this picture at another site - type fraud activity - came on - and scared the crap out of me. I asked the seller for a pic of the rifle with a newspaper with the current date - never responded - but I noticed two guys getting into a bidding war over it - went for $2,877 - I guess a fair price for a real one? Not sure since I have seen a documented one go for 34k+ and a complete one that may have been a clone go for 5k+.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/1037853538/BidHistory

That Fraud alert was a nice touch if done by one of those serious bidders.

[bigbossman]

Interesting developments on that Marine Corp Sniper missing the Unertl, first someone must have said it was a fake auction because that warning about if you have seen this picture at another site - type fraud activity - came on - and scared the crap out of me. I asked the seller for a pic of the rifle with a newspaper with the current date - never responded - but I noticed two guys getting into a bidding war over it - went for $2,877 - I guess a fair price for a real one? Not sure since I have seen a documented one go for 34k+ and a complete one that may have been a clone go for 5k+.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Item/1037853538/BidHistory

That Fraud alert was a nice touch if done by one of those serious bidders.

I'd be suspicious.....

[ir0nclash86]

I was inspired to get into these from highpower posting his collection up. I purchased my clones from https://www.ddgunworks.com/services-1-1

[Rogerbutthead]

Beautiful rifles, can I ask what they cost you?

(I am wondering if they have appreciated in value since you bought them.)

[BrokerB]

That would be sweet as hell to be shooting at the Vintage Military Silhouette matches.

Thing is sweet.