**U.S. Springfield Model 1903A1 Marine Corps Sniper Rifle with J. Unertl Scope

World War II

.30-06. 24" barrel length. SN: 1526678. Parkerized frame and scope base with a blued metal finish to the nickel steel barrel and bolt with the bolt showing the dark color typical of the Marine sniper models. Bolt action internal magazine fed repeating rifle mounting an 8X telescopic sight marked J. UNERTL/USMC-SNIPER/2567. Scope retains both of its screw-in pattern lens covers. Rifle features the correct electropencil serial number marking to the barrel along with {Star} stamp on the barrel and at muzzle. The barrel displays the SA/{Ordnance Bomb}/3-39 marking indicating it was made by Springfield Armory in March of 1939. Item displays the features of the 1903A1 National Match pattern rifles, including the gas escape hole in the left receiver with corresponding hole in the bolt, and the National Match pattern rear sight. The upper handguard hump has been cut back with approximately 0.5" remaining, typical of Marine Corps Sniper Rifles. Cocking piece is marked CVC64109 along the left side, and the bolt handle is struck SN. The firing pin rod is marked NS4. The semi-pistol grip C Stock has been struck AAQ to the left side below the bolt, and has a P marking to the forward wrist, and B to the forend next to the magazine floorplate. The AAQ marking indicates the rifle underwent rebuild at Augusta Arsenal. Further P marking visible on top of the barrel within the cutout for upper barrel band. Non circled P marks along with the punch mark to the right receiver below the serial number indicate the rifle underwent the pressure firing proof test. The buttplate is checkered with the buttplate compartment void of tools. Rear scope base is marked J. UNERTL with the patent mark PAT. 2208913.

Serial number for this rifle falls within the known range of the last shipment of National Match rifles to the United States Marine Corps. A portion of those rifles were selected for conversion to sniper rifles during World War II. Comes with a model 1905 pattern leather sling with the maker mark reading L-FCO/1918.

From the Collection of Bob Lecount

This lot is located in Cincinnati.