I presume you have a document that specifically states it is the first shipment and that shipment was after March of 1918?
Actually, it has long been a well known fact that the Army had copies of the Marine sniper rifles. I think the subject is even discussed in Pegler's book, but it may have been one of the others....Just no one knew the Army had WRA produced "Marine" A5's.
I'm not going anywhere.Just wait a little longer Jim and it will all be made public.