Model 1903 Springfield

[rob63]

I decided I really should take some photos of my Model 1903 Springfield, so thought I would share them too. I traded a Remington '03 for it to a guy walking around at the Indy 1500 show many years ago. I really wanted one with a WWI date, so I was pretty happy to get it and have managed to hang on to it.

 

[Deimos]

Always love seeing 1903s, especially when there in such good condition like this one. Definitely on my list to get for sure.

You really cannot beat old mil-surp rifles.

 

[Expat]

Glad you got the one you want.
She's a beaut.

 

[jinks]

That a good looking 1903. It appears that it may have the old style straight bolt. The CMP cautions using this type bolt for anything other than display.

M1903/M1903A3 - Civilian Marksmanship ProgramCivilian Marksmanship Program

In view of the safety risk the Ordnance Department withdrew from active service all “low-number” Springfields. During WWII, however, the urgent need for rifles resulted in the rebuilding and reissuing of many “low-number” as well as “high-number” Springfields. The bolts from such rifles were often mixed during rebuilding, and did not necessarily remain with the original receiver.

Generally speaking, “low number” bolts can be distinguished from “high-number” bolts by the angle at which the bolt handle is bent down. All “low number” bolts have the bolt handle bent straight down, perpendicular to the axis of the bolt body. High number bolts have “swept-back” (or slightly rearward curved) bolt handles.
A few straight-bent bolts are of the double heat-treat type, but these are not easily identified, and until positively proved otherwise ANY straight-bent bolt should be assumed to be “low number”. All original swept-back bolts are definitely “high number”. In addition, any bolt marked “N.S.” (for nickel steel) can be safely regarded as “high number” if obtained directly from CMP (beware of re-marked fakes).
CMP DOES NOT RECOMMEND FIRING ANY SPRINGFIELD RIFLE WITH A ”LOW NUMBER” RECEIVER. Such rifles should be regarded as collector’s items, not “shooters”.

CMP ALSO DOES NOT RECOMMEND FIRING ANY SPRINGFIELD RIFLE, REGARDLESS OF SERIAL NUMBER, WITH A SINGLE HEAT-TREATED “LOW NUMBER” BOLT. SUCH BOLTS, WHILE HISTORICALLY CORRECT FOR DISPLAY WITH A RIFLE OF WWI OR EARLIER VINTAGE, MAY BE DANGEROUS TO USE FOR SHOOTING.


THE UNITED STATES ARMY GENERALLY DID NOT SERIALIZE BOLTS. DO NOT RELY ON ANY SERIAL NUMBER APPEARING ON A BOLT TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH BOLT IS “HIGH NUMBER” OR “LOW NUMBER”.

 

[Mongo59]

You've got goodun there. Hold on to it.

 

[MSS]

Good thing it was created after the 800,000 serial block when they started double heat treating the receivers. A lower number would not be safe to shoot. Nice looking find!

 

[Robert Richardson]

Man's rifle right there.

 

[55fairlane]

Original barrel and period sling.....nice rifle you have sir!

 

[flatlander]

A 1903 was the 1st non-22 I ever fired. Was about 13 or 14. That thing rocked my world!
That is a sweet example of a bygone era.


Bob

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Nice rifle Rob! I picked one up from indiucky's shop that was a CMP rifle still packed in cosmoline. I learned that the magazine cut off is not in fact a "second safety", much to the delight of indiucky and indy1919a4...

 

[rob63]

Nice rifle Rob! I picked one up from indiucky's shop that was a CMP rifle still packed in cosmoline. I learned that the magazine cut off is not in fact a "second safety", much to the delight of indiucky and indy1919a4...

Thanks, and thanks to all for the kind comments. I was pretty darn fortunate to find a WWI rifle that is still all original, most of them went through a rebuild at some point.

I have seen references to the second safety comment and wondered what it was about. LOL, we've all been there. The first time I ever went into a gun shop to look at a pistol, the guy racked the slide back and set it on the counter with the slide locked open. I had absolutely no idea how to release the slide, or even what the heck he had just done. I was young, stupid, and proud, so rather than just ask, I looked it over with the slide locked open as if that is how you do it!

 

[indyjohn]

Man's rifle right there.

Original barrel and period sling.....nice rifle you have sir!

Rob, that is a beautiful piece of art. Wood and steel. Gunstock is my favorite color.

I love my '03. But it has two commas in the serial number, a '48 replacement barrel, and no proof marks.

Keep that one in the family.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Thanks, and thanks to all for the kind comments. I was pretty darn fortunate to find a WWI rifle that is still all original, most of them went through a rebuild at some point.

I have seen references to the second safety comment and wondered what it was about. LOL, we've all been there. The first time I ever went into a gun shop to look at a pistol, the guy racked the slide back and set it on the counter with the slide locked open. I had absolutely no idea how to release the slide, or even what the heck he had just done. I was young, stupid, and proud, so rather than just ask, I looked it over with the slide locked open as if that is how you do it!

Well I certainly can't blame youth, and I'm not all that prideful, so I'm going to go with stupidity on my part!

 

[Thor]

Beautiful rifle with a lot of honest history there. Well done, perfect as is.

 

[BGDave]

Thanks for posting, very nice 03.

 

[Prowler28]

Nice '03! It's definitely one of the better long arms from the Great War age. Very accurate.

 

[Aflac]

Nice rifle, thank you for sharing

 

[76Too]

Took my girls out today to get ‘base to ogive’ measurements for match ammo this coming year and figured I’d get a family photo.

I hate starting new threads for no reason, so figured I’d tag along on this one.



From right to left
-6/18 Springfield 1903
-4/43 Smith Corona 1903A3
-Criterion Springfield 1903A1 w/Unertl 8x

Gonna take em out chootin’ tomorrow

 

[indyjohn]

Hmm, my post had no pics. I need to remedy that.



Better pic:


9 ring at 600 yds.

 

[STFU]

Cared for one like the OPs at Culver for four years.
Solid rifle. Fun to shoot as well.