[chuckfourth]

Just when you thought it was safe. Please accept my humblest apologies for any ulcers that may begin hurting.
This is not a battalion level game. If it was, the smallest unit you could buy would be a battalion. Its a squad level game. As such the detail discussed by Deputy isnt beyond the scope of the game.
Note that in the game the American Thompson and M3 SMGs get an extra HE kill point (no its not micro modeleing its a great idea) merely because there calibre is larger, If this level of detail is worth incorporating then I think that doing the same for sniper rifles is also acceptable.
Clearly there is no reason not to change the generic sniper weapon and give it national flavour, other than lack of interest.
Remember this from the game guide,
"Grenades, rifle-grenades, infantry bombs, anti-tank grenades, infantry anti-tank mines and other anti-tank explosive devices have been extensively researched and have replaced the generic representations in most instances"
Oh and of course if your country didnt really have snipers then obviously someone would have found some scopes in the back of the trench and made sure that they got to those country bumpkins that were actually crack shots.
I have to agree with MajorDisaster in that If an infantry squad can't take out an identified sniper in short order I also think there's something wrong.

I often buy just an infantry battalion or even just a coy, and in that context this sort of detail becomes very important. Im sure Im not the only person who plays 'small' games.
Now Im not saying that snipers should be revised Im just saying that Deputy I think has a valid point.
But... If (and I dont know) the USA (or anyone else) had no sniper rifles pre 43 then I think they should be removed pre 43, Generic or not.
The play balance issue is of course that if the Germans and Russians? were the only countries to have "lots" of snipers then making snipers generic 'masks' this difference or 'advantage'
Im sure the designers are frying bigger fish anyway, just my 2 cents worth. Actually Id prefer it if you went away Brumbar.
Best Regards Chuck.