The rifle has the distinctive modifications that are present on all genuine Marine M1903A1 sniper rifles.
All components except the polished bolt and rear sight leaf and the blued lower barrel band have the pre-war Springfield Armory black-green parkerized finish. In addition to the star-gauge mark on the muzzle, the top of the barrel is marked with "SA/Ordnance Shell & Flame/ 3-39" behind the rear sight and "P" further down the barrel. Late drawing numbers are present on the butt trap, rear sight base, magazine cut-off, windage knob and stock reinforcing bolt. The sear and cocking piece have "CV" markings and drawing numbers. The stock has the late, coarse-checkered buttplate associated with NM rifles, and the rear sight has the polished Rock Island Arsenal sight leaf with center notch typically found on late production NM rifles.
An encircled block "P" proof mark is stamped on the pistol grip just behind the trigger guard finial. The left side of the stock is stamped with the boxed "SA/SPG" final inspection mark behind the cut-off recess.
UNERTL 8X FOR SALE SERIAL NUMBER
The Marine rifleman tasked with using this weapon was killed in action the rifle was sent home to his family." This rifle has all of the M1903A1 NM features: (1) armory polished bolt with late "D1" heat lot and two gas ports, (2) polished receiver rails, (3) serial number "1529585" stamped on the bottom of the stock between the pistol grip and sling swivel and electro-penciled on the top of the bolt and (4) barrel muzzle stamped with the distinctive star-gauge mark. A rifle with a known history in this case, the M1903A1/Unertl combination saw combat duty in Korea. The caption states: "USMC Springfield sniper rifle serial no. Marine Corps Scout-Sniper: World War II & Korea" by Peter Senich. This rifle is illustrated on page 209 of "U.S. Genuine Marine M1903A1 Sniper rifles are extremely rare experts estimate approximately 40 of these rifles exist in collections today. Approximately 100 M1903A1 sniper rifles were used by the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War c. These rifles saw action from the Solomon Islands in 1943 to Okinawa in 1945. Between 400 and 700 of these rifles were issued to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Marine Divisions in the Pacific Theater. Experts believe that the Marines modified approximately 1,000 M1903A1 NM and M1903 Special Target rifles reserved for pre-war rifle teams to sniper rifle configuration in 1943. The serial number is, correctly, not in the list of M1903A1 NM rifles sold to civilians by the Director of Civilian Marksmanship prior to WWII. This rifle is a 1939 production Springfield Armory M1903A1 National Match rifle that was requisitioned by the Marines for rifle team issue prior to WWII and modified to sniper configuration by the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot c. SNIPER" 8x telescopic sight and micarta scope can utilized by the Marines in WWII and the Korean War. Marine Corps Springfield Model 1903A1 sniper rifle with Unertl "U.S.M.C.