Originally Posted by
Marine A5 Sniper Rifle
Do you have any idea how many people on this forum have had those same documents pulled? No one is trying to diminish Cpl Norton's efforts to my knowledge. But be aware others have made that same effort. This forum represents some of the most knowledgeable people anywhere when it comes to 1903's, and did so many years ago when I came on board. Jim Gaynor, JB, and Big Larry are three excellent examples.
In 1945, the Corps QM stated there were NO sniper rifles in storage and 975 scopes in storage. He was asking for permission to dispose of them. Allow me to point out that there was no shortage of rifles, and that is was the availability of the scopes that determined the number of completed sniper units that could be fielded. As has been pointed out many times, the Philly Depot at that time could turn out match quality rifles in a heartbeat.
FYI, the Marines were fighting in the jungles of the Pacific with little time for breaks. They fought 24 hrs/day with little time to clean their rifles. I'm not sure what you are implying, but if you are trying to say the conditions were not detrimental to the men and equipment, you need to do more research - a lot more.
We are aware of that, but how much time do you think they spent in garrison? I am an ex-Marine who fought in a SE Asia jungle. The climate ate holes in our M109's armor plate, our clothes rotted on our backs, but the little M16 did admirably well due to its finishes. An 03 would not have faired as well. It rained for the first three months I was in country. I mean every day and every night. We had no washing machines or dryers. They gave us new uts about every 90 days. Everything corroded or rotted. The biggest problem with the Unertl equipped Model 70's was moisture (read Land's book). If they weren't put in a hot box overnight, they were useless the next day. You, nor anyone else, is going to convince me that Pacific jungle combat and the climate didn't damage the 1903's wood and metal.
I'm not certain what you are trying to say here, but a unit puts it snipers on the line or forward of the line to find enemy snipers, disrupt enemy movements, and find and take out machine gun emplacements. From what I have read over the last 40 years, that is exactly how snipers were used in the Pacific. And if you believe that first sentence, you need to read through the Corps sniper school curriculum.
jt