Can anybody identify this rifle?

Mr. Ed · Dec 18, 2016

A friend's neighbor recently passed away, and his wife found this photo. She'd like to know anything about the photo, including the type of rifle and the approximate time period. It's not much to go on, and this is the only pic of the rifle. We're hoping the uniforms and civilian dress might help with the ID. Also curious about who the men might be (French, etc.).

I suggested taking the pic to NRA HQ to see if somebody there might have a clue, but wanted to try asking the brain trust here for their help first.

No, she doesn't have the rifle (darn it). Any and all help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

6cylrider98 · Dec 18, 2016

wild guess, Spanish, 7mm.??? Would like to be mine ,no matter what it is.

Bertfish · Dec 18, 2016

Second from the right looks like a WW1 Doughboy. My guess is they are French. As for the rifle I'm not sure. Looks like the front end of an 03 Springfield to me which would match the time period. The wide sling swivel should give it away.

MilsurpDan · Dec 18, 2016

The front sight looks funky, but I think it's a M1903 Springfield. Look closely and you can see what looks like the humped rear handguard

-Z/28- · Dec 18, 2016

Bertfish said:
Second from the right looks like a WW1 Doughboy. My guess is they are French. As for the rifle I'm not sure. Looks like the front end of an 03 Springfield to me which would match the time period. The wide sling swivel should give it away.

The "wide" sling loop you see is actually two. If you look close its the forward mount and then the one mid way down the handguard offset from the angle of the picture. This would also suggest M1903 as they have two set up just like that.

Doco Overboard · Dec 18, 2016

Thats a m1903. the sling swivel looks wide because the stacking swivel is right in front. Bolt knob is a giveaway too. They're probably wondering if its safe to shoot. Id say about 1920 or so they are on a range with a polished bolt and a high front site protector maybe.

Mr. Ed · Dec 18, 2016

Thanks, guys! I knew I could count on you.

Threeband · Dec 18, 2016

The front "swivel" looks like it has an opening, like an American stacking swivel.

The bolt is unlocked. That's an American style bent down bolt handle. Add the high hump handguard and the American soldier, and I'd agree it's an '03 Springfield.

The round blur by the muzzle could be a front sight cover.

Doco Overboard said:
... They're probably wondering if its safe to shoot...

They're probably wondering who came up with that crazy rear sight.

Machodoc · Dec 18, 2016

Second from right is wearing what looks to me like an 1898 style fore-and-aft creased hat. May be USMC or Army.

I'm sure that others here know early uniforms far better than I do, but it may not be safe to assume that the dress uniforms are French. Many countries had similar-looking uniform styles.

You might also try posting to http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

SmokeEaterPilot · Dec 18, 2016

That looks like a M1903 to me, but very difficult to say conclusively.

You can see the sight hood, finger grasping groove (just in front of gentleman's left thumb), high hump handguard) and the bolt handle.

See if you can spot with a magnifying glass a S on the foretip. I doubt it's high resolution ebough to spot.

I take it nothing written on the back?

SmokeEaterPilot · Dec 18, 2016

Doco Overboard said:
Thats a m1903. the sling swivel looks wide because the stacking swivel is right in front. Bolt knob is a giveaway too. They're probably wondering if its safe to shoot. Id say about 1920 or so they are on a range with a polished bolt and a high front site protector maybe.

They began polishing bolts as early as 1909 for the National Matches (the 1903 was adopted as the National Match rifle, to replace the Krag in 1908). With alterations indicated by the Chief of Ordnance each year, based ok feedback from the teams and armory personnel.

However, that bolt may not be polished. There's something with the metal composition in the bolts ans what colors thw camera can pick up with regards on color on the spectrum with older film. I forgot the specifics but it's the same concept where people see combat photographs of M1903 USMC snipers with "polished bolts," but the CMC issued a directive to the USMC QM in early 1942 that all snipers wit polished bolts must go through a bluing process. But in the photograph they look polished.

Can anybody identify this rifle?

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