Replica Vietnam era M14 improvised sniper (M84 scope + AWC mount)

[Random Guy]

Inspiration:


Inspiration for this replica project was the above picture taken in October 1969 of a couple of US Army snipers from the 1st Infantry Division. Both rifles appear to have 'in-country' camo paint jobs. The M14 on the left has the night vision rail that was typically used with the PVS-2/PVS-3 night vision devices. The rifle on the right has an Army Weapons Command (AWC) scope mount with a (2.2x) M84 scope. I already had the vintage optic system, but not a USGI stock with a camo paint job...so I decided give it a try with some black and OD green oil paint. Here's my winter project, which is based on a 1981 SAI Standard rifle (15k serial range) that was customized to make it look similar to that M14 rifle in 1969:

Parts:




Right:


Left:


M84 scope & offset 1967 era AWC scope mount (vintage M14 rear sight cover came with that old rack number painted on it. Adds a little bit of character):


Just an fyi post of my latest retro M1A project.

[Blurry]

That is a real beaut. A lot of time and effort there I’m certain. Thank you for showing her to us.

[Markeb2800]

Fine work. Thanks for sharing!

[nf1e]

Great photos. I never saw a stock like that but I did have both scopes available for my use in 1967.

[milprileb]

So, you going to use that in next Quantico Vintage Sniper Match, and hope to see you on 1000 yd line with it.

OT but side note: That is how our name tapes and US ARMY was sewn on our jungle fatigues in 1969, it later changed . Lai Khe was in III Corps, some rolling terrain with open patches and ideal for sniping. Lots of targets available in that tactical operational area , lots of VC and main force NVA. 1st Infantry Division had some seriously hard fights in that area. Lai Khe was 1st Division base camp situated in a part of the Michelin rubber plantation. War Zone C, D and "Hobo Woods" some of the famous parts of III Corps not too far from Lai Khe.

From my view point being in that area of operation, that camo pattern would work mighty fine for conditions there.

[Random Guy]

Thanks for the kind words re this little project. It was an interesting experiment to hand-paint old walnut stock for the first time...it's definitely unique amongst my other stocks.

As for the next Quantico match, I intend on being there, but I'll be using something with a little more precision (vintage M1903 w/ a repo 8x scope, aka my CMP VSM rifle).
However, I might use this M1A without the optic in a CMP 'Modern Military' match as it weighs 8 lb 15ozs and thus its just under the 9 lb weight limit (I think).

"Hobo Woods"

As an fyi, here some video of a very young Dan Rather in January 1966, reporting for the first time in Vietnam, in Ho Bo woods. (Footage of the 25th Infantry Division).
(This is the only film footage I have seen of multiple M14A1s being used for suppressive fire (select fire). Note the left handed soldier in the beginning, followed by a righted handed soldier using another M14A1 later on. Footage also shows an M60 barrel being replaced due to over-heating. Just a random fyi since Ho Bo woods was mentioned).
https://danratherjournalist.org/grou...deo-ho-bo-wood

[Ted Brown]

What a cool project. I'd note however that early sniper systems and NM rifles did not include modified gas cylinders or spring guides. Minor detail for sure, but I'd include them anyway. I see the spring guide, but can't tell if the gas system has been done.

[Random Guy]

Ted, thanks. The M1A rifle I used was a standard model, and the only NM item was the flash hider that seems to have a slightly larger hole. It had the standard M14 recoil spring guide, but I had an old AMU style guide that I re-parkerized and installed. The gas cylinder is not unitized, and the sights are standard parts. So it’s not totally correct for a 1967-68 improvised M14 sniper rifle with the flash hider and spring guide, but that’s okay. It was a fun project.

[milprileb]

Random Guy,
When you are at Rg 4, Quantico for Vintage Sniper Match, I will tell you of my encounter with Dan Rather at Lai Khe in 1972 and his false reporting of events and
why I don't get Xmas cards from him.

[Blurry]

Random Guy
You should display at the VGCA show some of those excellent rifles you have.
I believe many would very much appreciate them.