This is a beautiful, like new example of an original WWII, USMC issue Unertl Sniper Scope. These scopes were developed and manufactured by John Unertl in the early 1940s and in 1941 he received a contract to supply these to the USMC for use in early WWII. These scopes were originally mounted on Springfield Armory M1903 National Match rifles, specially modified by the USMC or Navy armorers. These rifles were simply designated as a US M1903A1 Sniper and were used in early 1942-43 during the initial invasion of the Japanese held islands. They were very effective in the early stages of the war, however their higher magnification, became a hindrance in the close fighting in the jungles. After WWII these scopes remained in USMC inventory and again were used very successfully throughout Korea, and again in Vietnam from 1962-68 when mounted on match conditioned Winchester Model 70s rifles. There were approximately 2,500-2,600 of these scopes made in total with this example being a very late production scope that remains in like new condition. The rear of the scope tube is roll marked "J. Unertl/ USMC-SNIPER/2515" and it has the correct "8" marked on top of the rear ring indicating that it is an "8" power magnification. This scope is accompanied with an original WWII issue micarta scope can. This is the Second Variation scope can that was made from a fiber-board type of material with a domed twist on cap. The outside has a green painted/impregnated type of finish with its original canvas strap and belt loop attached to the side of the can. This rare scope is complete with the original Unertl scope mounts and a set of the original style 1903 scope bases that are correctly marked on the underside "O and E", indicating there were intended for the 1930 Springfield rifle.

Excellent plus, with 99% of its original blue finish overall with no visible wear anywhere. The tube still retains its original brown paper wrapper around the scope tube under the rear mount. The mounts retain 50% of their thinning blackened finish, and the optics are crystal clear. It is complete with the original screw on end caps. The scope bases still have cosmolin in the screw holes indicating it has not been mounted or removed from the scope since shipping. The can retains 98% of its original green colored finish with a small crack on the lower side of the can lid. A super rare late WWII USMC issue Unertl sniper scope. The scope appears to be the only example of an unissued, unmounted USMC sniper scope known on today's collector market.