Model 1903 rifle manufactured by Springfield Armory circa 1915 and subsequently fitted with a Model 1913 Warner & Swasey Musket Sight. Between 1915 and 1919 a total of 3,014 Model 1913 Warner & Swasey sights were installed on Model 1903 Springfield rifles. The Model 1903 rifle with Model 1913 W&S telescopic sight was the primary U.S. Army sniper rifle in WWI. Following WWI most of the Model 1903 sniper rifles were overhauled. The W&S sights and mounts were removed and the rifles were returned to standard configuration. This rifle is a Model 1903 that was fitted with a W&S sight circa 1915, was overhauled and had the sight removed following WWI and has been restored to the correct WWI configuration. The rifle has a blue barrel/rear sight base, barrel bands, bolt, floor plate/trigger guard and buttplate. The receiver has a casehardened finish. The rifle has an original W&S mounting bracket secured by three screws. The left side of the stock is correctly inletted to accept the mounting bracket. The "ON" side of the magazine cut-off and the face of the rear sight leaf are bright. The receiver, safety lever and cut-off have the standard Springfield markings with Gothic letters. The barrel is dated "SA/3-18" which indicates that it is a WWI or post WWI replacement. The barrel is stamped with an "A" below the date that indicates the rifle has been arsenal or depot overhauled. The "S" grasping groove stock is stamped with a Rock Island Arsenal boxed, "JLH/1918" final inspection mark on the left wrist. A single circled script "P" proof mark is stamped on the underside of the stock wrist behind the trigger guard. The forearm tip is unmarked. Springfield Armory utilized both script and block proof marks in 1915 and there is no "S" or "RI" on the stock forearm tip. Therefore, the stock may be the original Springfield stock and the inspection mark on the wrist indicates this is one of the Model 1903 rifles overhauled at RIA circa 1918. The W&S telescopic sight has the standard markings and the serial number "2150" on the left side of the body. Brass drift and wind correction plates are attached by screws to the top of the sight. The original rubber eyepiece has been replaced with a leather eyepiece which appears to be a period modification. The inside of the scope mount is stamped: "FOR RIFLE NUMBER 586010". The rifle is complete with a WWI contract russet leather W&S sight case with "DIAMOND "D" contractor markings and Ordnance inspection markings on the back of the case. The case is complete with the original W&S Model 1913 wrench. Included with the rifle are a WWI Model 1907 leather sling and oiler.

Very good. The rifle retains half of the original blue and casehardened finish. The stock and handguard are very good with a clear RIA cartouche and "P" proof. The W&S sight retains about 75% of the original black enamel finish. The optics are fair. The scope case is missing the shoulder strap but is very good overall. Unaltered Model 1903 rifles with original W&S telescopic sights with matching serial numbers are practically non-existent. Virtually all of the Model 1903 W&S sniper rifles were overhauled and reconverted to service rifles following WWI. Rifles like this example which is in the correct serial number range for a W&S sniper rifle and has a W&S sight stamped with a rifle serial number are very desirable.