This is an example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1903A1 National Match rifle that was manufactured in 1937 and subsequently acquired by the U.S. Marine Corps. This rifle is fitted with the Marine Corps 8-power Unertl "USMC-SNIPER" telescopic sight with black anodized Unertl aluminum mounts. This is an early scope and is stamped with the serial number "1303" (the serial numbers of these scopes are believed to have begun at "1000"). The scope has the correct fine wire crosshairs with center dot and steel lens covers. The rifle falls within the known serial number range of Marine Corps M1903A1 NM rifles that were converted to sniper configuration and fitted with Unertl telescopic sights by the Marines at the Philadelphia Navy Yard c. 1943. This rifle has the standard late production Springfield NM features which include: (1) star-gauged barrel with star-gauge number "3827" stamped on the top of the barrel ahead of the rear sight base and star-gauge mark on the muzzle, (2) polished bolt, receiver rails and follower, (3) rifle serial number "1496447" electro-penciled on the bolt body and stamped on the underside of the stock just ahead of the lower sling swivel mount. The rifle has the late production M1903A1 features which include coarse checkered buttplate with drawing number on the inside of the butt trap, stock drawing number "D-1836" stamped behind the pistol grip, additional large gas port ("Hatcher Hole") on the left side of the receiver and in the bolt body and drawing number on the left side of the cocking piece. The rear sight has the late, flat face, windage and elevation knobs and polished face but has the early pattern leaf with 2750 yard center notch. These WWI era sights are frequently found on late production M1903A1 NM rifles. In addition to the rifle serial number and drawing number, the Style "C" pistol grip stock is stamped with the boxed "SA/SPG" Ordnance final inspection mark on the left wrist, the encircled, block, "P" proof mark on the inside of the pistol grip and the year of production "7" (1937) in the magazine cut-off recess. The top of the barrel is stamped "SA/Ordnance 'Shell &Flame'/ 3-37" above a five-pointed star (the meaning of this star is unknown, and it does not usually appear on M1903A1 rifles in this serial number range). A "P" proof mark is stamped on the top of the barrel between the arms of the upper barrel band. The receiver has the usual Springfield Armory markings. The bolt handle has the correct "NS" markings and shows the typical polishing marks found on NM bolts above and below the safety lug. The safety has early serif "SAFE/READY" markings (late production M1903A1 NM rifles are frequently seen with early production components). The front sight base is blued and has matching alignment marks. The buttplate, trigger guard, receiver, rear sight base, barrel, upper barrel band and sling swivels have the pre-war Springfield parkerized finish. The lower barrel band and band spring have the correct dull blue finish. The floor plate has a blued, pre-war finish. The rifle has several of the distinctive modifications found on Marine Corps M1903A1 rifles converted to sniper configuration: (1) the armory polished bolt has been blued to a glossy blue-black finish, (2) the receiver has been drilled, tapped and fitted with a scope block that sits approximately 1/8-inch behind the rear sight base, (2) the barrel is drilled and tapped for a second scope block 3-inches ahead of the rear sight base (the scope blocks are mounted approximately 7 1/4-inches apart center-to-center), (3) the stock has standard USMC modifications on either side of the rear sight base and (4) the rifle is fitted with a WWII production handguard with cut-out for the front scope block that has been milled to permit installation and removal of the front scope base. The milled portion of the sight base is approximately 2 1/2-inches long and does not extend to the lower barrel band recess. The trigger guard screws are staked; not seen on most identified USMC Unertl sniper rifles. The trigger guard could not be removed to determine if the trigger guard and barrel had the modifications and markings found on USMC M1903A1 Unertl Sniper Rifles. The rifle is accompanied by the Micarta telescopic sight case issued with USMC M1903A1 Unertl sniper rifles and WWII issue M1907 russet leather sling with steel hardware. The Marine modified M1903A1 Unertl sniper rifles were almost certainly the most accurate sniper rifles issued during WWII and remained in limited service with the Marines during the Korean Conflict. Total production of these rifles is believed to be under 1000 rifles. Original USMC M1903A1 Unertl Snipers are very rare and highly collectable.

The rifle is in excellent condition and retains 95% of the original blue and parkerized finish. The bolt has 80% of the correct high polish blue black finish. The stock and forearm are both in excellent condition with crisp markings and show only minimal handling wear. The Unertl "USMC-SNIPER" telescopic sight is all original and in very fine overall condition with 75% of the blue finish. The scope body shows high point wear and scattered light pitting. The aluminum scope bases have 75% of the correct black anodized finish. The bolt finish, scope block locations and visible stock modifications conform closely to those on known Marine Unertl Snipers. The milling on the handguard differs from the typical milling found on Marine Unertl sniper rifles. This is an excellent example of a late production U.S Springfield Armory M1903A1 NM in the same serial number range as Marine Corps NM rifles that were modified to the Unertl Sniper configuration with scarce original Unertl "USMC/SNIPER" telescopic sight, correct Unertl aluminum scope mounts and rare Micarta scope case.