This Model 1903 Sniper Rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory c.1917 and fitted with a Model 1913 Warner-Swasey telescopic sight. Springfield Armory fitted approximately 3,000 M1903 rifles with M1913 W-S telescopic sights between 1913 and 1918. This rifle has the standard Springfield block letter markings on the receiver. The barrel is marked: "SA/Ordnance Shell & Flame/7-18/A" in four lines behind the front sight. The magazine cut-off and safety have block letter markings. The rear sight leaf has the 2,750 yard volley notch and concave windage and elevation knobs. The trigger is grooved, and the stock has two reinforcing bolts and WWI production smooth buttplate. The bolt has a "J5" steel lot code stamped on the safety lug. The left side of the stock is stamped with a "D.A.L." final inspection mark, and an encircled, block, "P" proof mark is stamped behind the trigger guard. The receiver is casehardened, and the barrel, upper and lower barrel bands, rear sight base, trigger guard, floor plate, buttplate and other small parts are blued. The rifle has the correct W-S mounting bracket attached to the receiver by three staked screws. The stock is properly inletted to accept the mounting bracket. The rifle is fitted with a Model 1913 W-S telescopic sight, serial number 2864. The scope has the standard black enamel finish and retains the original gray-green rubber eyecup. The inside of the scope rail is not stamped with a rifle serial number. The scope base is fitted with two thumb-screws that allow the base to be tightened to the mounting bracket and eliminate the recoil shifting that was an inherent weakness of the W-S telescopic sight. The thumb-screws appear to be a period modification. The M1903 rifles with Model 1913 W-S telescopic sights were the primary U.S. Army sniper rifles used in WWI. Surviving examples are scarce.

Fine. The July 1918 barrel is considerably later than the production date of the receiver but appears to be original to the rifle. The rifle components have 40% of the blue and casehardened finish and have aged to an attractive brown patina. The patina on the W-S mounting bracket matches the finish on the other components. The walnut stock and handguard are in fine condition with moderate handling wear and match the steel components. The cartouche has been enhanced by lightly chasing part of the border and half of the letters. The W-S telescopic sight is not serial numbered to the rifle. The scope is in very good overall condition and retains 75% of the original finish. The original rubber eyecup is in very good condition. The optics are very good for a W-S telescopic sight. This is a fine example of a scarce World War I Springfield Model 1903 sniper rifle with Model 1913 W-S telescopic sight. Original examples are seldom encountered!