This early production Springfield M1903A1 National Match (NM) rifle is fitted with a 1949 production "USMC Property" marked Lyman Super Targetspot telescopic sight and wooden box. The rifle has standard NM features which include: (1) arsenal polished "NS" bolt electro-penciled with the rifle serial number "1342709" on the body, (2) polished receiver rails, (3) "SA/11-29" marked barrel with star gauge mark on the muzzle and (4) oiled walnut "C" stock with the rifle serial number "342709" stamped ahead of the rear sling swivel. The stock has the coarse checkered buttplate with hinged trap used on NM rifles after about 1926. The "ON" portion of the magazine cut-off is polished bright. The rifle is fitted with a post-World War I Marine front sight blade and special Marine front sight cover. The original headless cocking piece fitted to the rifle has been removed and replaced with a WWII production cocking piece. The receiver lacks the additional gas port on the left side ("Hatcher Hole") added to most standard production Springfield rifles c. 1936 and present on almost all Marine M1903 rifles. The left side of the stock wrist is stamped with stock a boxed "DAL" final inspection mark. An encircled block "P" proof mark is stamped on the inside of the pistol grip. The barrel and receiver have been drilled and tapped and fitted with telescopic sight blocks. The receiver block is located approximately 1/4-inch behind the rear sight base. The original handguard has been neatly modified to accept the front sight block and has a large oval hole around the block. The 12X telescopic sight has fine wire cross-hairs and is mounted on Lyman target rings. The scope tube has the standard Lyman markings and is serial numbered "17219". "USMC PROPERTY" is roll-stamped below the Lyman factory markings. The wooden box is the standard box furnished with Lyman Super Targetspot scopes. "USMC PROPERTY" is hand-stamped on the top of the box above the handle, and the serial number "17210" is stamped below it. On pages 107-115 of "Scout Sniper" author Peter Senich pictured and described Lyman Super Targetspot scopes and boxes with similar "USMC PROPERTY" markings. A picture showing Lyman Super Targetspot No.17515 with USMC markings notes that the scope was manufactured "circa 1949". On page 108 Senich states: "According to Lyman, various models from the Targetspot series were furnished to the Marine Corps prior to World War II. Although some target scopes were procured on a contract basis, most were apparently random purchases". The bolt finish, rear sight block location, handguard style and handguard modification are not consistent with World War II production USMC M1903A1 sniper rifles fitted with 8X Unertl "USMC SNIPER" marked telescopic sights. This rifle appears to be a 1929/1930 production Springfield M1903A1 NM rifle expertly fitted with a scarce "USMC PROPERTY" marked, 1949 production, Lyman Super Targetspot telescopic sight.

Excellent with Marine front sight blade and telescopic sight modifications, the rifle retains 95% of the Springfield Armory parkerized finish. The bolt has the armory polishing marks on either side of the safety lug. The stock and handguard are in very fine condition with sharp inspection and proof marks and only very minor handling wear. The telescopic sight retains 95% of the commercial blue finish; wear is limited to some mount scuff marks and several superficial rust spots along the bottom of the tube. The optics are excellent.