WW1 1917 US Marine Corp Winchester A5 Sniper Scope With Good Optics & Crosshairs

This is an original Winchester made A5
Sniper Scope dating to WW1 circa 1917, a favourite scope used by United States
Marine Corps, specifically designed to work with the 1903 Springfield rifle.
During WW1, the 1903 Springfield rifle was widely used by U.S. forces, the
rifle’s action was smooth and reliable under battlefield conditions, with a
trained shooter able to deliver 10 to 15 shots per minute. It was also very
accurate, out to an effective range of 656 to 1,000 yards, with hits possible
up to 2,500 yards depending on weather conditions.


Due to the range of the Springfield it was
used as a dedicated sniper rifle, the regular US army fitted theirs with a
prismatic Warner & Swasey Model 1908 “Musket Sight”, whilst the US Marines the
Winchester A-5 Scope, as we have here. The first issue of these sights was
around 400, and it is thought this scope is part of the first WW1 US Marine
Corp issue in 1917, along the Western Front of the European War.


Condition:
The optics are remarkably good for a scope (37cms long) over 100 years old, a
true military antique that was used by the US Marine Corps in WW1. The
crosshairs are still clearly present and its quite emotive looking through this
scope, knowing what it was used for when previous owners looked through the
same lenses. But, although the finishing is warn and missing in places, including
some rusting to the clips, it is an incredible display item with a real connection
to that dreadful War, with most examples no residing in military museums due to
their rarity. On one clip it clearly reads “Winchester Trades Mark U.S.A. Pat
Pend.”, which was only used in 1917/18.


The pictures do not do it justice at all, but are important to show the condition.