A friend has an A5 with the 4-point mounts, that is, no grasshopper spring. It also has rather large tapered male dovetail bases and matching female dovetails in the rings, and it has a wing-like bolt-on device that imparts clicks to the knobs.

My questions are these: are these 4-point mounts the earliest style or the latest? How about the click device and the large tapered bases? Any info would be appreciated, I've already consulted both Campbell books, the original Madis book, the Stroebel book and several smaller tomes with no success. The Campbell books and others picture the mounts but are unclear (to me) as to models and changes, and I haven't found any firm reference to the tapered bases other than that some foorm of them was used on some WW1 sniper rifles with A5s. I also have a vague memory from 30 yrs ago that maybe one of the early gurus such as Pope or Neidner or Mann or other may have designed such large tapered bases.

Here's a picture.
TIA, Joe

Many thanks, Dave, I got your PM, and my friend thanks you too, Joe

JD, those are Niedner mount bases. They are usually held to the mount with a couple of screws. The tapered dovetail was arranged so they were self tightening in recoil. The Click adjustment arrangement is not I believe Winchester although I have seen a set of mounts with the same setup. I may still have them and will go down a look for them later and post if I have any more information. The adjustment knobs also are suspect. They look crude compared to any Winchester
mounts I have seen. By this I mean the knurl. I have a set of the Niedner mounts adapted to Winchester mount with the Bases wich are a pain in the butt to make. Will get back to you. Regards, FITZ.

Your A-5 'scope is an early sniper 'scope. They usually are found on '03 Springfields. If the 'scope and mounts are in good cond. they could be pricey. Don't sell it cheap. Don't alter the mounts. R.B.

look in "THE SPRINGFIELD1903 RIFLES" book by Brophy for more pictures and information.