1903 Springfield Rifle

[Infosec Guy]

I just posted this in the classifieds, and wanted to make sure everyone saw it.

http://www.mdshooters.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=3964

It's in amazing shape, and would make a nice addition to any collection. For that matter, if I had the cash for it, I'd be bragging about it now

 

[BeltBuckle]

so... this is a 1906 vintage?

 

[Idempotent]

For what it's worth, even if that rifle had been manufactured yesterday, a face-to-face transaction would be fine. The only reason FTF isn't allowed is if the firearm in question is regulated, and whether it's regulated does not depend on age.

 

[jjbduke2004]

It's a nice gun but a permanent wall-hanger/safe queen.

They didn't use pyrometers in the forging process so the forge men held them until cherry red. How hot cherry red was depended on how bright the day was and who was watching. Some stayed in too long and "cooked" rendering the steel unsafe.

Pretty much all Springfields below ~800,000 are considered unsafe (Rock Islands below 265,000)

 

[armedsks]

Barrel date?? stock markings??

This rifle will have to be near original to fetch whats being asked for it. I sold about a dozen 1903's last year. If the rifle isnt original, being a low number does hurt the resale. Some people will not shoot them.. Like said earlier, they were forged without pyrometers. They forged them just like they did the krag and trappdoor. (lower pressures).

I shot all my 1903's High # and low #'s

1903's do not command the value that a M1 Garand.
Neither do Trapdoors or Krags.

It is a very nice looking rifle.. We just need a lot more details!!!

 

[Infosec Guy]

so... this is a 1906 vintage?

Well, you've got me on the year, as in I can't tell you exactly. What I do know is that it's probably a 1905-06 vintage based on that serial #. We have no real history of the weapon, other than this: Upon inspection, it's in nearly perfect condition. There are so few markings in the barrel or within the receiver that we really can't be sure it's ever been fired.

 

[Infosec Guy]

Barrel date?? stock markings??

This rifle will have to be near original to fetch whats being asked for it. I sold about a dozen 1903's last year. If the rifle isnt original, being a low number does hurt the resale. Some people will not shoot them.. Like said earlier, they were forged without pyrometers. They forged them just like they did the krag and trappdoor. (lower pressures).

I shot all my 1903's High # and low #'s

1903's do not command the value that a M1 Garand.
Neither do Trapdoors or Krags.

It is a very nice looking rifle.. We just need a lot more details!!!

I didn't see any markings on the stock, and I foolishly didn't take pictures of the other side of the weapon's receiver or barrel. So the best I can do is show you this picture.

 

[armedsks]

Should be a circle P on the bottom of the wrist. A inspectors cartouche on the left of wrist. The barrel should say SA month-date.

I use to have some nice 1903 springfield books. They would be able totell you what markings should be on the rifle for originality. Also over the years the parts got revisions and etc.

I did notice the nice finger groove stock. Excellent USGI wood for all USGI rifles is getting harder to find!

 

[Drmsparks]

parkerized implies refinishing, arsenal or otherwise. The originals were blued.

Still in nice shape, just not collector grade. It should make a right pretty shooter, if you are willing to shoot a low number, and I know plenty of people who are, although they are NOT allowed at CMP matches...

 

[BlackBart]

parkerized implies refinishing, arsenal or otherwise. The originals were blued.

Still in nice shape, just not collector grade. It should make a right pretty shooter, if you are willing to shoot a low number, and I know plenty of people who are, although they are NOT allowed at CMP matches...

Has anyone here ever seen and not just heard of one coming apart?

 

[armedsks]

In HATCHERS notebook. He has a few documented recievers cracking. On the top of my head i want to say a less than 100. Out of over 1 million produced low numbers. No deaths have been associated with the brittle rec's. Also he points out that the ammo used in the early years was poor quality also.

 

[BeltBuckle]

here's some interesting info on the issue of brittle receivers... http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/1903-a3/87357-1903-vs-1903a3.html

 

[Drmsparks]

Has anyone here ever seen and not just heard of one coming apart?

In HATCHERS notebook. He has a few documented recievers cracking. On the top of my head i want to say a less than 100. Out of over 1 million produced low numbers. No deaths have been associated with the brittle rec's. Also he points out that the ammo used in the early years was poor quality also.

That's the crux of the matter. There were some heated debates on the cmp forums about this and what it boiled down to for a lot of guys, was that low numbers were not worth the risk because high numbers(shooter grade) were so affordable.

The fact that they are not allowed in matches reduces their attraction further, and turns off a lot of those who would buy and shoot low numbers..

I know plenty of guys who shoot them without bad consequences but all of mine are high numbers from CMP.

It is a very pretty rifle though...

 

[BlackBart]

That's the crux of the matter. There were some heated debates on the cmp forums about this and what it boiled down to for a lot of guys, was that low numbers were not worth the risk because high numbers(shooter grade) were so affordable.

The fact that they are not allowed in matches reduces their attraction further, and turns off a lot of those who would buy and shoot low numbers..

I know plenty of guys who shoot them without bad consequences but all of mine are high numbers from CMP.

It is a very pretty rifle though...

Love the Springfield action, smooth and aesthetically very nice. Sold the only 03A3 I ever owned, Id rather have that back than ANY of my ex wives, Ahhhhh to keep the current wife and the 03 and I would be truly blessed.

 

[BeltBuckle]

but all of mine are high numbers from CMP....

When did you last get one from CMP? I've been watching for a while and haven't seen any...

 

[Drmsparks]

January 2009.

Still haven't cleaned and restored them, one is still a barreled receiver (headspaced bolt already), but I'm looking for an unertl scope for that one....

 

[8milimeter]

http://www.dupagetrading.com/firearms/1903-springfields.html

 

[Dave91]

I recently bought a 100% original 1903 from 1910, original barrel and everything with an excellent bore. The stock looks like shit though but its original.