Holes in my 1903

[M91/30]

I honestly never put any thought into it until now but my 1903 has alot of holes in it, some filled with screws some not. It is sporterized so I suspect some of it isn't stock. First off there are 4 hole for a scope mount on top which i am using 3 of. Next there is one on the right of the receiver near the chamber, Ive heard it is a gas leak or something. But the ones in question are the screw filled ones on the left of the receiver... There are 3 of them, 2 are in the middle where the reciever wall lowers. Those are in line, but the 3rd is in almost the same spot as the gas leak but on the left side(it too has a screw). What in the world are all those holes for? Scope mounts perhaps? If so I would like to see them(links to web page) Im really curious cause google is producing results for me.

 

[docnyt]

Pics would help.

 

[mnrivrat]

Could very likely be for scope mounts. The early tip off type mounts by Packmyer for example would allow you to tip/rotate the scope off to the left side and use iron sights .

 

[Jeremy2171]

Depending upon serial number of the rifle it's possible it was an original Warner-Swasey sniper rifle.

 

[Slamfire]

Pictures?

 

[Jim Watson]

Three holes would be right for an Echo side mount.
Probably others, too, though.

 

[M91/30]

Sorry about not having pics, ill borrow a camera when i get back from a trip im going on tomorrow. When I have them ill post em and rekindle the thread.

 

[M91/30]

Sorry for the wait,

 

[Jim Watson]

Those are almost certainly holes with plug screws put in when going from a side mount scope to a top mount.

 

[M91/30]

There not in any way military are they?

 

[alsaqr]

Those holes could be for the mounting of the Warner-Swazey scope.

http://www.cowanauctions.com/auctions/item.aspx?itemid=30737

 

[Jim Watson]

Maybe.
Do you know the serial number or has it always been buried under the top mount?

 

[M91/30]

Unfortunately its buried but when i did have it off I lost where i wrote it down. I do however know it was made in 1929 according to a spreadsheet with serials. So it is somewhere in the range of 1305901‑1338405