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U.S. SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 BOLT ACTION MILITARY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
U.S. SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 BOLT ACTION MILITARY
RIFLE WITH WARNER & SWASEY TELESCOPIC SIGHT. Cal. 30-06. S# 932878. Bbl. 24". Replacement bbl. is marked "SA", flaming bomb, "7-33". Ladder rear sight graduated to 2850 yards. Dished elevation knob. Flat windage knob. Blade front sight. Receiver mfg. in 1913 and has been fitted with a brass bodied scope marked on the left side "TELESCOPE MUSKET SIGHT MODEL OF 1913 No. 4117" / "WARNER & SWASEY CO." / "CLEVELAND OHIO USA". Patent dates including: "DEC. 15-08". The Model of 1913 scope incorporated a few improvements over the earlier Model 1908. The scope was mounted slightly further forward on these rifles & has a star shaped elevation knob. There were approx. 5,000 of these scopes procured but only about 1,000 are believed to have been assembled into complete sniper rifles. The scopes were not well liked in use but was at least an attempt to give our troops the benefit of an optical sight. This rifle has apparently been assembled to replicate an original WWI Sniper. The Remington mfg. bolt assembly is from a 1903 A3 rifle. The bolt handle is marked underneath with "1" and a punch proof. Bolt shroud and safety are marked "R". All milled furniture except the stamped checkered buttplate. Floorplate marked with "064". Walnut stock set. Straight grip stock has 2 recoil bolts. Marked on left side over trigger with boxed "SAA-F". Likely a rebuild mark from the San Antonio Arsenal. Stock is marked under grip with both encircled script and block letter "P" proofs. marked in cut off recess with "10" oriented vertically. Forend tip marked "B". CONDITION: stock set has arsenal rework type finish with slight loss of wood in inletted areas. Moderate wear, staining and handling marks throughout. Small inletted repair at toe. Metal has well worn mostly greenish shade parkerized finish. Buttplate has notably less finish. Trigger guard and floorplate have been polished and blued. Scope has approx. 40% of original black finish with wear, scratches and handling marks. Elevation knob is not readily moved. Optics are notably cloudy with spots & scratches. Crosshairs and horizontal stadia lines are visible. Rubber eyepiece is flexible and appears to be later replacement. Scope does not mount fully on scope ring. Very good shiny bore. PROVENANCE: from The Working Reference Collection of Military Arms Instructor, Master Sergeant Vincent Pestilli.(23-7576/RW). CURIO. $2,000-3,000.