This pre-World War I U.S. Model 1903 rifle was manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1911 and is fitted with a Winchester A5 telescopic sight with Winchester patent scope rings. The Marine Corps, and to a lesser extent the Army, installed Winchester A5 telescopic sights on a few Model 1903 rifles in the 1914-1915 period for testing and use in competition. The Marines took some of their telescopic sighted Model 1903 target rifles to France in 1917 for issue to snipers. The modern made reproduction scope blocks are mounted in place of the standard rear sight on the rear sight base and on the barrel with a modified opening in the standard handguard. The bolt has a modified removed section on the bolt handle for clearance of the scope. In his book "'A Collector's Guide to the 03 Springfield" author Bruce Canfield lists serial numbers for Model 1903 rifles fitted with A5 telescopic sights in the 470,000 serial number range with some seen as late as the 600,000 range, and states on page 154 "Identifying Features: Modified handguard. Various types of front and rear scope mounts attached. Many early rifles have the rear scope base on the rifle M1905 sight base..." Reference page 42 of the book "The Pictoral History of U.S. Sniping" by Peter R. Senich and pages 503-505 of "The Springfield 1903 Rifles" by Lt. Col. William Brophy for other examples pictured with the scope blocks mounted in the same manner as this example. The A5 sight has a commercial blue finish with a post and cross wire reticle. The top of the scope tube is roll-stamped with the two-line Winchester address and patent dates followed by the model designation "A5". The rifle has the pre-war blue finish. The one-bolt stock and handguard are oil finished black walnut. The rifle has an early pointed trigger and a fine checkered buttplate. The top of the barrel is stamped with "SA" above the Ordnance insignia and the date "8-11". The safety and magazine cut-off have the early style Roman markings with serif letters. Circled "P" proof marked behind the trigger guard, boxed "E.H.D." and "G.F.H." cartouches ahead of "VH" marked on the wrist of the two-bolt straight grip stock. Includes a 1917 dated Lawrence M1907 leather sling. Provenance: The Steven Preston Military Collection

Very fine as period modified, retains 85% original blue finish with some light scratches and areas of scattered light patina. Stock is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some light scratches and handling marks, a small chip behind the trigger guard, and visible cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Scope is very fine, retains 90% original blue finish with crisp and clear optics.