BOLT ACTION SNIPER RIFLE WITH ARSENAL REWORK. Cal. 30-06. S#1303609. “***** On closer review we discovered that the rifle was assembled either by an individual or at an arsenal at a later date than the original. Bbl. 24". These highly desirable rifles were developed by the U.S. Marine Corp to fill the need for a more modern sniper rifle. They were assembled at the ordnance section, Marine Corp Depot of Supplies at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Using the supply of National Match Model 1903 Springfield rifles held in store there, these rifles have given fine accuracy from their careful manufacture and star gauge bbls. They were mated with high quality target telescopic sights mfg. by The John Unertl Company. The quality of work performed by these marine armorers was equal to or better than that of the national armories. This example whose receiver S# indicates mfg. in 1928 has the punch mark in the right receiver rail given to National Match rifles and is fitted with a Springfield Armory barrel dated 5-32. The barrel has a faint star gauge mark at the 6 o'clock position on the muzzle. The barrel also has a "K" over "3002" located approximately 1 1/2" ahead of the rear sight base. This is the star gauge number. The rear scope block is marked underneath with a distinct "P". The front block is marked with "E". The rear sight slide has only the large aperture and reference line. Flat type windage & elevation knobs. Sight ladder has volley notch. The rear sight base is the type mfg. by Remington without lightening cuts. The front sight blade is the wide type used by the Marine Corp and measures approximately .105" in width. Front sight is equipped with unmarked blue steel sight cover. The receiver does not have the hatcher hole. The bolt body finished in the white has "N.S." on top of bolt handle and punch proof underneath. The bolt is electro penciled to match the rifle serial number. The coarsely marked numbers are visible when bolt is closed. Bolt has additional electro penciled numerals "1319889" at the bottom. Single small gas escape hole. The balance of bolt parts and cutoff are unmarked. All milled furniture including National Match type coarse checkered trap buttplate and grooved trigger. Walnut stock set. Handguard with 2 clips appears to be correctly machine original. The buttstock which should be a C Type or very rarely a straight grip S Type is a later replacement, possibly arsenal, made for the 1903 A3 Series rifles which includes the cut for the handguard retaining ring. The stock with two recoil bolts is marked in the cutoff recess "S.A." and is marked with a partial boxed "SA" / "SHM" Springfield Armory overhaul mark on the left side over triggerguard. The stock is additionally marked under grip with 2 encircled "P" proofs. The scope with a blued steel 3/4" dia tube is app. 231/2" overall. It is marked on top at rear "J. UNERTL / USMC-SNIPER / 2497.The power ring is marked correctly "8". There is a faint "X8" scratched into the eyepiece. The scope is equipped with an adjustable objective lens. Screw in lens caps. The scope mounts which were blued steel on the originals have been replaced with anodized aluminum versions which have a greenish colorization. The rear mount is marked "J.UNERTL" and Pat.#. The clamping stop ring is present. The guide rib has been shortened modified by filing, likely a field modification. The reticle is a fine crosshair with a small dot or diamond. CONDITION: the stock has a very good appearing finish as arsenal replaced with only very light wear and scattered tiny handling marks. The metal parts retain a large amount of their arsenal rework dark parkerization with only very light wear. The scope retains 80% of its original blue with thinning light wear and tiny scratches. Optics appear clear and serviceable. Scope mounts have worn anodizing. Adjustments are positive and crisp. Bore is shiny with strong lands but lightly frosted appearance in grooves. (24-1661/RW). CURIO. $8,000-12,000.