WWI U.S. WARNER & SWASEY MODEL 1913 TELESCOPIC MUSKET SIGHT – M1903 SPRINGFIELD SNIPER SCOPE

WWI U.S. WARNER & SWASEY MODEL 1913 TELESCOPIC MUSKET SIGHT – M1903 SPRINGFIELD SNIPER SCOPE

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$1,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1202-1243

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To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This is the Warner & Swasey Model 1913 telescopic sight, the standard sniper scope of the U.S. Army in World War I. It was made for the M1903 Springfield rifle. The scope itself is complete. The mounting bracket is not included.

The left side of the body is clearly marked “TELESCOPIC MUSKET SIGHT / MODEL OF 1913 No. 3963 / THE WARNER & SWASEY CO. / CLEVELAND OHIO U.S.A. / PAT. FEB 13-06 MAY 22-06 DEC 15-08.”

The M1913 is a prismatic design. That’s why it has a boxy body, with the objective lens set off to one side of the eyepiece. It’s an improved version of Warner & Swasey’s Model 1908. The power was lowered from 6x to 5.2x for a brighter sight picture, and the elevation dial locking nut and eyepiece were changed.

The scope mounted on a dovetail base on the left side of the Springfield’s receiver. This let the soldier keep loading with stripper clips and still use his iron sights. With only about 1½ inches of eye relief, the sight needed its thick rubber eyecup to protect the shooter’s face from recoil. The eyecup has small holes to break the suction against the skin.

The government bought 5,730 M1913 sights. Only about 1,530 were fitted to rifles and issued before the Armistice. The rest stayed in storage and were later sold as surplus. The ‘03 Warner & Swasey sniper rifles were withdrawn from service in the mid-1920s.

This example has its original full-size eyecup. Many eyecups were cut down in the field or lost altogether. This one is still pliable, with a suction-relief hole in the side. The elevation and windage adjustments, the knurled eyepiece focusing ring and the mounting plunger are all present.

Most of the original black paint has worn away, especially on the marked side, showing warm bronze-brass underneath. The underside keeps more of its paint, with brass showing through in patches. The ocular lens is clear. The objective lens shows some haze and debris. The scope measures about 9" overall.  [gh][ph:L]


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