Springfield Model 1903A1 rifle manufactured circa 1943 with a U.S.M.C. Sedgley barrel dated "8-41" fitted with an Unertl "USMC/SNIPER" 8x telescopic sight with target mounts. The rifle has the typical Model 1941 Sniper features which include: (1) WWII replacement handguard milled to provide clearance for the scope blocks, (2) Unertl "O" and "E" scope blocks mounted on the barrel and receiver that are 7.2 inches center to center, (3) blue serial numbered bolt, (4) replacement "C" stock with encircled "P" proof mark on the inside of the pistol grip but no Ordnance final inspection marks, (5) modified trigger guard and (6) fixture mark on the underside of the barrel. The scope block opening on the handguard correctly is hand finished and the rear scope block is mounted flush against the rear sight base. The barrel has the pipe wrench marks adjacent to the rear sight base which are typical of the Sedgley barrels actually installed on U.S.M.C. service rifles. The receiver has the additional gas port ("Hatcher Hole") on the left side of the receiver which is found on virtually all WWII U.S.M.C. Model 1903 rifles and the late style "NS" marked bolt has two gas ports. The rifle has a post WWI buttplate with deep checkering, post war rear sight with leaf that lacks the 2,850 yard volley notch that was eliminated circa 1919 with flat faced windage and elevation knobs, grooved trigger, and "CV" marked extractor. The safety has pre-WWI Roman serifed markings and the magazine cut-off is fully parkerized and has the later Gothic markings. The rifle has the original dark gray-green parkerized finish that is typical of pre-WWII Springfield Armory weapons. The bolt has a dark black/blue finish. The Unertl telescopic sight has the original commercial blue finish and is marked: "J. UNERTL/USMC-SNIPER/2301" just ahead of the eyepiece locking ring. The power designation "8" is stamped on the top of the eyepiece locking ring. The aluminum mounts have the correct black finish. The scope has a fine cross-wire reticle and is complete with the steel screw-on lens covers. The walnut stock and forearm are oil finished. The rifle is complete with a russet Model 1907 sling and oiler in the butt-trap. The Model 1941 Sniper rifle was the Marine attempt to field a precision sniper rifle utilizing a Model 1903A1 National Match rifle with an Unertl target telescopic sight. The Model 1941 Snipers were manufactured by the Ordnance Section of the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania circa 1943. Total production of Model 1941 Sniper rifles is unknown but was less than 2,000 rifles. The first approximately 1,000 rifles were based on Model 1903A1 National Match/Model 1903 NM and star-gauged Model 1903/Model 1903A1 "Special Target" rifles in the Marine inventory. When the supply of National Match and Special Target rifles was exhausted selected components that met pre-war National Match specifications were used to assemble Model 1941 Sniper rifles. The Sedgley contract barrels purchased by the U.S.M.C. were available to the Philadelphia Ordnance Section and presumably were installed on late production Model 1941 Sniper rifles like this example. The Model 1941 Sniper rifles first saw action with the Marine Raiders in the Solomon Islands and the 2nd Marine Division on Tarawa in late 1943. Neither operation lent itself to extensive use of snipers and based on after action reports from the field, the Marines discontinued production of the Model 1941 Sniper rifles. However, the Model 1941 Sniper rifles remained the primary Marine sniper rifle during both WWII and the Korean Conflict. Despite the relatively fragile Unertl telescopic sight the Model 1903 Sniper was probably the most accurate sniper rifle in service during WWII.