leaf sights m1903

Question
Vic, the rear sight aperture is graduated in even numbers on the left of the sight and odd numbers on the left. Do those reflect distance in meters or feet?My 30.06 or was made prior to the heat treatment to make the barrel more stronger. I know alot about the gun but not the sight system. Any help or where to go would greatly be appreciated. Thanks. terry

Answer
There were several types of sights on the M1903, without very specific information on your weapon it would be hard to provide exact data BUT; on all issue rifes the following applies.  I have also pasted a link for you to review.

Vic

When the '03 rifle was designed, the U.S. Army still saw the magazine as a reserve for cartridges. The soldier or doughboy needed to load ammo one round at a time and only use the magazine when needed or ordered by an officer. The magazine cutoff switch located on the left of the receiver turns the magazine on or off.  The magazine cutoff switch when place in the middle position allows for the bolt to be removed from the rifle. With the magazine cutoff switch in the on position, the bolt pulls back far enough to clear the magazine follower and will engage and load a cartridge from the magazine.
 
With the magazine cutoff switch in the off position, the bolt when pulled back no longer clears the magazine follower and thus will not load a cartridge from the magazine. This allows the shooter to drop cartridges into the path of the bolt, one at a time.
Sights



To adjust windage (left or right) turn the windage knob (as shown in rear sights fig 1). Each graduation marking equals 4 minute of angle at 100 yards.


The 1903 has one of the most accommodating rear sights found on any early 20th century battle rifle. Imagine a sight being produced for a rifle with no less than 5 sight notches and apertures (3 adjustable and 2 set for specific distances).
To adjust for elevation loosen the elevation knob on the right and then slide the aperture up or down (as shown in rear sights figure 2).  

Rear Sight Figure 2 shows a type 4 sight leaf  with graduations from 100  to 2825 yards. The 1903 had seven different leaf types (ranging in max graduated distance from 2000 to 2825). The leaf's left side scale ranges from 200 to 2820 while the right side scale ranges from 100 to 2825.

Part Name Range Used
a Top "U" Notch 2850 yards
b "U" Notch 1400 to 2750 yards
c Battle Sight Notch 400 to 530 yards
d Bottom Sight Notch 100 to 2450 yards
e Peep Sight 100 to 2350 yards
f Windage Scale Eleven per side (each marking equals 4 minute of angle at 100 yards)



To use the rear sight's adjustable notches or apertures the sight leaf is lifted as shown in Rear Sight Figure 3.
 
The 1903 battle sight is set at 400, 530, or 547 yards (depending on sight type and cartridge used). The battle sight was used for the following: A soldier using the battle sight could hit a man between 100 and 400, 530, or 547 yards (depending on sight type and cartridge used).

http://www.surplusrifle.com/1903/operations.asp