ULTRA RARE US WW1 USMC 1903 SPRINGFIELD SNIPER RIFLE WITH WINCHESTER A5 SCOPE

This U.S. Model 1903 rifle was manufactured by the Springfield Armory in late October of  1917. This rifle is fitted with a Winchester A5 telescopic sight with U.S.M.C. modifications. The Modifications include pointers on the windage and elevation drums and Mann-Neider tapered scope mounts. The sight is blue with standard wire cross-hairs. 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 scope bases are spaced 7 1/2-inches center to center and the top of the handguard has been milled to allow the front scope mount to slide on the base. The rifle has the standard blue finish on the buttplate, sling swivels, trigger guard, floor plate, bolt, rear sight base, barrel, upper and lower barrel bands.   The Marine Corps used Model 1903 Springfield rifles fitted with Winchester A5 telescopic sights in limited numbers as target rifles prior to WWI. During WWI the Marines issued a small number of Model 1903 rifles with Winchester A5 telescopic sights and Mann-Neider scope mounts as sniper rifles and that is what is shown here.  These rifles are impossible to find in any condition.  this is a very decent example.  the scope is very clear with sharp optics.  the rifle is in very good plus condition, but there is a crack in the wrist of the stock. this is such a rare and never seen rifle, it simply is what it is. the cut out for the scope on the handguard is certainly period to the production of the gun, the raised grain of the wood speaks to the authenticity of the piece.  This is a very rare chance to obtain an impeccable example of a usmc ww1 sniper rifle.