This extraordinary Model 1903 rifle was manufactured by the Springfield Armory in 1917 with an experimental seven-groove barrel rifling (some speculate eight groove) and fitted with a Winchester A5 scope sight. The rifle is pictured and described on page 502 of "THE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 RIFLES" by LTC William S. Brophy as "Model 1903 rifle serial number 716929 that has been fitted with a Winchester A5 telescope that has the rear block mounted on the receiver ring. This rifle has an experimental 7-groove rifling and scope blocks 7.2 inches between centers". The experimental barrel utilizes a Springfield barrel blank with the standard markings that consist of "S A/ordnance bomb/6-17". The barrel is fitted with an early style front sight base with the front sight stud key located behind the dovetail. The front sight base is not indexed to the front sight. The barrel is stamped with a "WL3" steel lot code underneath the hand guard but has no special markings. The "ON" side of the magazine cut-off lever and the face of the rear sight leaf are polished bright. The buttplate has the fine checkering used on Model 1903 rifles through early 1918. The trigger is grooved and the rear sight windage and elevation knobs have dished faces. Casehardened Winchester scope blocks are mounted on the barrel and on the top of the receiver immediately behind the rear sight base. The standard "U.S./SPRINGFIELD/ARMORY/MODEL 1903" over the serial number marking on the top of the receiver is partially covered by the rear scope block. The "OFF/ON" magazine cut-off markings use late gothic letters. The "SAFE" and "READY" markings on the safety lock have earlier Roman lettering. The underside of the bolt safety lug is stamped with an "M" steel lot code. The rifle has the standard pre-war/early WWI finish with casehardened receiver and blue bolt, rear sight base, barrel, barrel bands, trigger guard, floor plate sling swivel and buttplate. The hand guard has been professionally modified to accept the barrel mounted rear sight block. The stock is highly figured walnut with a high polish varnish finish. The style "S" stock has grasping grooves and two reinforcing bolts (the second reinforcing bolt was added to Springfield "S" stocks early in 1917). The stock does not have final inspection mark on the left side of the wrist or the circled "P" proof mark behind the trigger guard that are normally found on Model 1903 service rifles. The Winchester A-5 scope is blue and has a post reticule. The side of the scope tube is roll-stamped "MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS Co. NEW HAVEN. CONN. U.S.A. PATENTED FEBRUARY 9.1909,/-A5". The scope tube has standard Winchester rings with 1910 and 1907 patent dates on the right side of the bases. There is no information on why this unique rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory. Winchester A5 scopes were mounted on Model 1903 target and service rifles from 1910 onwards and the Marine Corps had several hundred A5 scope with Mann-Neider bases installed on Model 1903 rifles during 1917. Documented Model 1903 rifles with Winchester A5 telescopic sights are rarely encountered. With document dated December 23, 1932 detailing unique 1903 rifles at Springfield Armory.