I purchased what I think is a legit 1903a4. The serial number is in range for the first serial number block for the 1903A4. Serial number 3,413,769. So really no question on that. The question that I have is on the scope for the gun. I looked at several websites and I can’t figure out if the scope is correct for this serial number range. What I read is that they could have come with a model 330, 330-M8, M73b1, or the m73b2. Mine is the model 330. I am trying to find out if this serial number range would have come with the model 330. Also looking to see what is not correct on this rifle. I don’t know a ton about them.
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Recent pick up 1903a4
- Thread starter Rburney
- Start date
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I am quoting from my copy of Brophy's "The Springfield 1903 Rifles" page 511
'Telescopes for the M1903 A4 Rifle Four different telescopes were authorized for use with the M1903A4 rifle. When the rifle was introduced, the telescope used was the M73B1 (Weaver 330C). Upon adoption of the M1C sniper rifle in June 1944 (M1 Garand w/ telescope), the M73 (commercial Lyman "Alaskan), M81, and M82 telescopes were standardized for that rifle. (The M81 had a crosshair reticle and the M82 had a post reticle; otherwise they were identical.) The M81/M82 telescopes were also authorized for use with the M1903A4 rifle, but only when the M73B1 telescope was not available or the supply of them was exhausted.'
'Telescopes for the M1903 A4 Rifle Four different telescopes were authorized for use with the M1903A4 rifle. When the rifle was introduced, the telescope used was the M73B1 (Weaver 330C). Upon adoption of the M1C sniper rifle in June 1944 (M1 Garand w/ telescope), the M73 (commercial Lyman "Alaskan), M81, and M82 telescopes were standardized for that rifle. (The M81 had a crosshair reticle and the M82 had a post reticle; otherwise they were identical.) The M81/M82 telescopes were also authorized for use with the M1903A4 rifle, but only when the M73B1 telescope was not available or the supply of them was exhausted.'
Nice catch. My 1903a3/4 is one of those "boy, do I regret selling" guns.
Lets us know what you end up figuring out.
Bought a book today that I was told is the book to own on 1903A4’s It is called “The Model 1903 Springfield Rifle And It’s Variations by Joe Poyer 4th edition. It has a great section on the 1903a4. It is saying the “First block of M1903-A4 rifles were equipped with both the Weaver 330C commercial 2.5x telescopic sights and the M73B1”. The second block did not use the 330c. I also took a photo of the page that shows the scope variations used on the 1903A4.
With the exception of the blued rings it looks great. Then again, it was wartime so they might have used used what they had.
I would show that rifle to everybody. Including the mailman and the meter reader.
I would spend some time on the CMP forums. Then post pictures and ask questions.
I would show that rifle to everybody. Including the mailman and the meter reader.
I would spend some time on the CMP forums. Then post pictures and ask questions.
Miller Tyme
Master
Nice rifle but I concur with the others, the 330 isn't correct for the rifle. I haver read somewhere that post war Weaver used leftover war production parts to produce there scopes which may explain the turrets on your scope vs the prewar tapered turrets.
I am certainly getting conflicting information on the 330 scope. The tapered turrets would have been the 330s from what I am seeing and pretty much everything I am reading says those were never used on military rifles. The 330C or click was used in the first serial number run according to several print sources. According to that source, they were replaced during the first serial number block with the M73B1 since they were having trouble with the 330c and lack of durability in weather conditions. The M73B1 was just an upgraded 330C. Who knows for sure. I will look for a nice M73B1 and cover both sides of the subject. I will just enjoy it as is for now.
Miller Tyme
Master
Every correct 03a4 scope I have seen has been an M73b1 and had a s/n etched into it like this.
According to the print sources the 330’s were either the S for silent or the C for click. It says no scope was ever marked with the C on the scope they were marked:
MODEL 330
PATS PEND
W.R. WEAVER CO.
EL PASO, TEX. USA
which matches the one on this rifle exactly. It also matches the books example of a 330C. So looking at the pictures of the rifle would you think that the scope is a 330C? So the question I have is are there any other identifying marks to identify this scope as a 330 C or something that disqualifies it as a 330 C.
I am trying to determine what I have here and learn about these rifles.
MODEL 330
PATS PEND
W.R. WEAVER CO.
EL PASO, TEX. USA
which matches the one on this rifle exactly. It also matches the books example of a 330C. So looking at the pictures of the rifle would you think that the scope is a 330C? So the question I have is are there any other identifying marks to identify this scope as a 330 C or something that disqualifies it as a 330 C.
I am trying to determine what I have here and learn about these rifles.
Ok. Thank you. Calling it a 330 was from the script on the scope and my lack of knowledge about this gun. Then I started looking at resources and getting responses on this site and it started coming together. Thanks to everyone for helping me learn about this rifle. That is what I love about this site is the knowledge base that posts on here. Great group of folks on here.
More information on the 1903 Rifle than all the men in the gun shop will ever know. Worth every penny if you can get your hands on a copy.
https://www.amazon.com/Springfield-...prefix=the+springfield+1903+ri,aps,153&sr=8-1
https://www.amazon.com/Springfield-...prefix=the+springfield+1903+ri,aps,153&sr=8-1
