This is a very good example of an early Springfield Armory M1903 rifle that has been equipped with a early M1908 Warner & Swasey telescopic Musket Sight. During WWI, the Model 1903 rifle fitted with the Warner & Swasey telescopic sight was the primary issue U.S. Army sniper rifle with approximately 4,000 manufactured between 1915-19. It has the standard Springfield Armory receiver markings over serial number "482648" and the barrel is marked "SA/11-11". The receiver is fitted with the W&S type scope base that is secured with three screws. The inside edge of the stock has been properly modified to accept the feet of the mounting bracket. It has an early all blue bolt, marked with "II I" on the underside of the safety lug and it has the single small gas-hole. The rifle has the first pattern, one-bolt "S" stock with grasping grooves on the sides. It has a boxed "J.F.C." cartouche on the left side, with two circled non-script "P" proofs in the pistol grip area. It has a high hump handguard with the round windage cutout on the right side with the wide sighting groove on top. The rifle is fitted with the all milled components, barrel band/bayonet lug, trigger guard and floorplate. The telescopic sight is marked: "TELESCOPIC MUSKET SIGHT/MODEL OF 1908 No.651". The back side of the scope dovetail has been re-stamped: "FOR RIFLE NO. 483648". The top of the scope body has the correct brass drift and wind correction plate attached by four screws and it is fitted with a reproduction rubber eyepiece. The scope also comes with a WWI leather scope case with shoulder strap, and adjustment tool inside. The case is marked: "10/ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/TM". The lot also includes an original leather sling stamped "ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/1910/E.B.B.". This rifle is form the Bruce Canfield collection and is pictured 64 and 65 of: An Illustrated Guide to the 03 Springfield Service Rifle, as well as being discussed in; The Gun Report, May 1984, "The Warner & Swasey Musket Sights"; Man at Arms, Nov/Dec 1989, "The Springfield Snipers, Doughboy Sniper Rifles" American Rifleman, Sept 2000, "US Infantry Weapons of the First World War" (Mowbray 2000) and "US Military Bolt Action Rifles" (Mowbray 2010). Provenance: Bruce Canfield collection.

Very good with 30% of the blue finish overall with even wear and thinning on all the exposed parts. The stock and handguard are very good overall with a nice dark brown matching color having been arsenal refurbished and reoiled, showing only minor handling marks. The cartouche is clear. The renumbered scope retains 85% of its original black painted finish with viewable, but somewhat occluded optics, but better than most examples. The scope case is fine with a nice medium brown color overall showing light scuffing and handling marks overall, and intact stitching and straps.