{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-m1903-springfield-warner-swasey-m-1913-sniper-scope-with-mounting-bracket-in-leather-case-no-eye-cup","title":"Original U.S. WWI M1903 Springfield Warner \u0026 Swasey M-1913 Sniper Scope with Mounting Bracket in Leather Case - No Eye Cup","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very desirable original U.S. WWI Warner \u0026amp; Swasey Model of 1913 Telescopic Musket Sight, serial numbered 4898, complete with its dovetail mounting assembly and original-style heavy leather carrying case. Developed as the improved successor to the earlier Model 1908 sight, the Model 1913 became one of the principal telescopic sights used on U.S. Model 1903 Springfield sniper rifles during World War I.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Warner \u0026amp; Swasey Company of Cleveland, Ohio developed an unusual prismatic telescopic sight for the U.S. Army before World War I. The first standardized version, the Model 1908, offered approximately 6x magnification and was mounted offset to the left side of the M1903 Springfield receiver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was an unusual prismatic construction which had the advantage of allowing a wide field of view at the relatively high magnification of 6x. The Model 1908 Warner \u0026amp; Swasey sight was constructed of black painted brass and steel and weighed a hefty 2 1\/4 pounds. Warner \u0026amp; Swasey company markings and the serial number of the sight were stamped on the left side of the scope body and two brass plates were fastened to the top of the sight which contained firing and adjustment data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe telescope was offset to the left side of the receiver so that the ‘03 could be clip-loaded and fired normally. This location also allowed the standard iron sights to be used with the scope in place. The scope performed well, however it did have some issues, particularly problems with keeping the adjustment steady, and the eyepiece “sticking” to the face of soldiers due to suction. The problems encountered with the M1908 sight eventually resulted in the development of a modified design which was intended to improve the situation – The Model of 1913 Warner \u0026amp; Swasey Musket sight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis new design introduced holes in the eye cup, which previously had been a field modification to prevent suction. The magnification was reduced slightly to increase brightness, and the range adjustments were made easier to hold in place. There were also dovetail adjustment screws added to maintain a tight fit, which replaced the “shims” that soldiers used with the M1908.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis well-used example of the Model 1913 scope is fully marked, the black finish partly worn showing much of the brass beneath. The mounting bracket is still attached and ready to mount to your M1903 rifle! This example is missing the eye cup, and there is some moisture in the optics, so this example will need to be serviced. It comes in the original case. The range data plate is still attached and legible, and the left side of the sight still has the manufacturer’s markings:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTELESCOPIC MUSKET SIGHT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMODEL OF 1913 No. 4898\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE WARNER \u0026amp; SWASEY CO.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCLEVELAND OHIO U.S.A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePAT. FEB.13-06.MAY 22-06.DEC.15-08\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStill providing a fair image with built in cross hairs, lens needing a good internal clean however but still usable. The scope comes with its sight rail mounting bracket in place, which is intended to be mounted on the left side of the M-1903 Springfield Rifle. Originally these would have the serial number of the rifle they were issued to marked in the dovetail, however it is worn away on this example. The rubber eyecup of this example is now gone, and the eyepiece is unscrewable, though it takes some force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unit comes in its original heavy leather belt case, which is not maker-marked that we can see although there is a set of inspector’s initials stamped on the bottom under the strap. The case is in fair overall shape, and still quite sturdy, but there is no belt clip, and the strap is close to breaking. This case looks to have had the securing strap buckle moved downward during the period, with the stitching still visible where it used to be. There is actually a wrench tool in the little pouch of this example, but from what we can find online, it is not the correct wrench for the scope. The case of this example is very interesting because all of the alterations done to it were done during the period, with the rivets that hold the alterations in place covered in verdigris. Please note that all leather straps on the case are very fragile, cracking, and weak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWarner \u0026amp; Swasey M1913 sights were procured in substantial numbers during the First World War. Ordnance Department records indicate that approximately 4,000 Model 1913 sights had been obtained by the Armistice on November 11, 1918. Of these, 1,041 were installed on M1903 rifles during fiscal year 1918 at Springfield Armory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe official wartime allowance was 96 Warner \u0026amp; Swasey-equipped M1903 rifles per U.S. infantry division, and surviving evidence confirms that these rifles saw combat use in France with American snipers. Although the sight had significant practical shortcomings, it represented one of the U.S. Army's first standardized attempts to equip selected riflemen with a purpose-built telescopic sighting system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Model 1913 sight is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its clearly preserved No. 4898 Warner \u0026amp; Swasey markings, original range-data plate, surviving reticle, dovetail mounting assembly, extensive service wear, and accompanying period leather carrying case. The missing eyecup, hazy optics, absent belt attachment hardware, fragile case strap, and unidentified wrench are all important condition considerations, but the assembly remains a strong representative example of the unusual optical equipment carried by U.S. Army snipers during World War I.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45696759332933,"sku":"ONJR25DEPC078","price":2295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/E248040F-4B60-4845-92B6-551264B1D716.jpg?v=1788632599","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-m1903-springfield-warner-swasey-m-1913-sniper-scope-with-mounting-bracket-in-leather-case-no-eye-cup","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}