M1903 Sniper Rifle with Warner & Swasey M1913 Musket Sight

Published on December 2, 2015
Duration: 14:36

This review details the M1903 Springfield rifle paired with the Warner & Swasey M1913 Musket Sight, the primary US sniper weapon in WWI. It highlights the optic's significant 5.2x magnification but also its practical design flaws, including fogging, flaking paint, and a dangerously short eye relief. The review covers its complex adjustments, offset mount for stripper clip use, and field modifications like brass thumb screws to address wobble.

Quick Summary

The M1903 Springfield rifle, paired with the Warner & Swasey M1913 Musket Sight, served as the US Army's primary sniper weapon in WWI. The M1913 offered 5.2x magnification but suffered from design flaws like fogging, flaking paint, and a short 1.5-inch eye relief.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: M1903 & M1913 Sight
  2. 01:40Design Flaws: Fogging & Eye Relief
  3. 03:54Deployment & Magnification
  4. 05:01Scope Features & Adjustments
  5. 07:22Mounting & Field Modifications
  6. 09:32Ballistic Data Plates
  7. 11:55Reticle & Range Estimation

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary sniper rifle used by the US Army in World War I?

The primary sniper weapon for the US Army during World War I was the M1903 Springfield rifle, often equipped with the Warner & Swasey M1913 Musket Sight. Both 1908 and 1913 models of this optic were produced and issued.

What were the main design flaws of the Warner & Swasey M1913 Musket Sight?

The M1913 sight suffered from several practical issues: it wasn't sealed, leading to fogging; internal paint flaked off and magnified dust; and it had a dangerously short 1.5-inch eye relief, necessitating a rubber eye cup.

What magnification did the M1913 Musket Sight offer?

The Warner & Swasey M1913 Musket Sight provided 5.2x magnification. This was considered significantly higher than the typical 2-4x magnification found on optics of that era, with the earlier M1908 version offering even higher magnification at 6x.

How were the M1913 Musket Sight's adjustments calibrated?

The M1913 sight featured complex adjustment dials. The range knob was marked in 20-yard increments up to 3000 yards, while the windage knob was calibrated in inches at 100 yards, which is equivalent to minutes of angle (MOA).

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