When the "Worst "is still collectable

[Miller Tyme]

Being a collector of anything it isn't often that you try to aquire the worst of what you are collecting, but this might be the exception to the rule.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to aquire what one firearms expert calls "The Worst Sniper Rifle ever made". Now being as I collect sniper rifles, and this is a legit military issued sniper rifle, and the fact that there are only a couple of these floating around the U.S. I decided I had to have it.

Well I am now the proud owner of said rifle (along with a nice pair of Spanish Army binoculars) and I must say it's crudeness is part of its charm.

So with out further ado I present the 2nd pattern Spanish M43 Sniper Rifle.

 

[Miller Tyme]

Some further info and pics of Spanish troops using the M43

Spanish M43: The Worst Sniper Rifle Ever Made

www.forgottenweapons.com

 

[pmclaine]

What you have for a scope on that may be the mystery scope associated with some US sniper rifles in Vietnam.

USMC in Vietnam used a scope of Japanese origin marked Marine but it seems to be a mystery in some places I had seen them mentioned.

@USMCSGT0331

@cplnorton

@Random Guy

 

[sirhrmechanic]

On a serious note… it is not as bad as the stuff that showed up in Libya, Syria and lately Ukraine.

However as something the came from a government armory or “development” program, that is pretty funny. And may well take the title.

So when we’re these assembled? Were I to guess I might say early 1970’s after Munich, when everyone suddenly needed to field snipers, like, now? When did ETA make their appearance?

It sort of has the hallmarks of “we need a sniper rifle now…” as more of a public relations gig by the army or government. “Look, scoped rifles, snipery looking dudes… sleep well at night my fair Spanish ladies, etc.”. We have CT capability.

Heck, after Munich everyone did it. The British SAS just got there first. Then trained the GSG-9, our various units and pretty much everyone else.

Wasn’t Franco still in charge then? That tells you something, too.

Very cool rifle! Phil’s question about the Japan scope is interesting. I’d never heard of “Japan” scopes in VN, but a lot of stuff may have been in the PX and east to get ahold of for official or unofficial programs.

Thanks for the write up on that!! Look forward to learning more.

Sirhr

 

[RTH1800]

The Japanese “Marine” scopes ended up being purchased by the USMC. Irony
Maj. Land wrote about it.

 

[37L1]

For the "worst" sniper rifle, I still think that it is pretty cool and in nice shape too. Thanks for posting!

 

[cplnorton]

The ones that I have seen in the docs said the Marine scopes were 3x9. So just a little different style.

But this is the first one I have ever seen that actually has the Marine Japan markings. Which that is very interesting.

Here is one on a Model 70 with the 3x9 Japan Scope taken in 1966 or 1967 if I remember right.

 

[sandwarrior]

I don't know how these get listed as the "worst" sniper rifle ever. Originally they used 8mmx57. A lot of German surplus ammo was acquired and used. While not the boutique round of the day, they were made to remain stable through their 1-9.44" twist out to 2500m. Better than anything we made, or the Swede's.
Sniper rifles aren't about beauty, they are about capability. Is this in 8mm? Or, is it modernized to 7.62x51? I watch Ian's stuff and like most of it, I don't know where he gets this being the worst.

FTR, Japan had amazing glass in WWII. Too bad it's all categorized by the cheap .22 scopes. Leupold has always used Japanese glass Companies like Nikon, Mamiya, and Minolta, just to name a few, started in Japan where many were employed building optics for WWII.

 

[buffalowinter]

I'll see your "worst sniper" and raise you the "Syrian Sniper", and "Peshmerga Sniper"

Peshmerga

 

[roostercogburn98]

I'll see your "worst sniper" and raise you the "Syrian Sniper", and "Peshmerga Sniper"
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Peshmerga
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Looks like the serbu R&D facility

 

[themightytimmah]

How’s she group (or pattern!)?

 

[pmclaine]

I'll see your "worst sniper" and raise you the "Syrian Sniper", and "Peshmerga Sniper"
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Peshmerga
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Serbu likes this post

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Looks like the serbu R&D facility

Don’t insult the Syrians and Peshmerga too much… they were trying and usually had to use their feet instead of bench vices!

Sirhr

 

[hlee]

I don't know how these get listed as the "worst" sniper rifle ever. Originally they used 8mmx57. A lot of German surplus amm was acquired and used. While not the boutique round of the day, they were made to remain stable through their 1-9.44" twist out to 2500m. Better than anything we made, or the Swede's.
Sniper rifles aren't about beauty, they are about capability. Is this in 8mm? Or, is it modernized to 7.62x51? I watch Ian's stuff and like most of it, I don't know where he gets this being the worst.

FTR, Japan had amazing glass in WWII. Too bad it's all categorized by the cheap .22 scopes. Leupold has always used Japanese glass Companies like Nikon, Mamiya, and Minolta, just to name a few, started in Japan where many were employed building optics for WWII.

Well, here is the reasoning.

“The late pattern of M43 sniper is truly awful. It uses a cheap Japanese-made 10x “Marine” scope (this being in the days when Japanese optics were very poor, unlike today). The mounts are a conglomeration of spacer blocks crudely welded to the receiver, bits of aluminum Weaver rail, and cheap thumb-screw scope rings. Honestly the worst actual military sniper rifle I have ever seen. And yet, they were formally adopted and used in Spanish military service for many years.”- FW

It should also be noted that “post war” Japan was not the Japan of wwii, or of today. Up through at least the 70s, Japan had a well earned reputation for cheap, low quality goods. This rifle was produced during the 50s and 60s, right during that time.