M1903 Springfield age questions.

[Shootin'IN]

How can I tell what age a M1903 Springfield is?
Where can I find some info about these guns?

 

[J_Wales]

Please do not bring up the 1903 Springfield.

I've been doing my best to resist one of these beautiful firearms... and now the self control is under challenge!

 

[indy1919a4]

this is a good start using the serial number

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY US MODEL 1903 RIFLE SERIAL NUMBER RANGES

 

[Colt556]

There is a date stamped on the bbl near the muzzle, but a lot of 03s were rebarreled during the early years of WWII. The above link will tell you when the receiver was actually made. I have some 03s with original bbls while some others have had new bbls mounted in WWII.

 

[Shootin'IN]

J_Wales- don't look at the pictures you will get Springfield fever!
OK it doesn't look like it was re-barreled because the date from the link matches the 08 on the barrel.
Just wondering what the value of a fine gun like this would be, any ideas?
It appears to be unfired is there any way to tell?

faint ink stamp, what does it say?
Is the front sight shroud original, it doesn't match the fine look of the rest of the gun.(it looks cheap)

 

[citizenkane]

There is pretty much no way it's unfired. The stock appears to have rebuild markings from
Rock island and ogden arsenals. If the stock is original it's been through two rebuilds at least. Low number 1903's are also generally considered unsafe to shoot due to heat treating. It does look nice and the original barrel is a plus. Too bad someone refinished the stock.

 

[Hondo]

There is pretty much no way it's unfired. The stock appears to have rebuild markings from
Rock island and ogden arsenals. If the stock is original it's been through two rebuilds at least. Low number 1903's are also generally considered unsafe to shoot due to heat treating. It does look nice and the original barrel is a plus. Too bad someone refinished the stock.

Good points here, it is generally accepted that it is not safe to shoot '03's with a serial number below like 800,000....they had issues in the heat treating process on these rifles that led to chamber malfunctions...
Nice looking rifle though

 

[indyjohn]

This is a good read: The Springfield M1903

This site of course: U.S. Rifle Modle of 1903

 

[Colt556]

The above posters pretty much said everything I was thinking. The general wear and stock being refinished pretty much ensures it has been fired. It looks like a very nice specimen of an 03 though. I'd keep it if I were you, but probably not shoot it.

 

[CarmelHP]

Low number 1903's are also generally considered unsafe to shoot due to heat treating.

According to Hatcher the low number '03's with embrittled receivers were destroyed when all '03's were proof tested with the "blue pill" rounds. I don't know why this keeps cropping up. No one ever says anything about shooting Mausers though many may have been embrittled by the carburizing process used.

 

[at11kansan]

date of manufacture

Go to this site U.S. Military Firearms Manufacture Dates it covers alot of different weapons.

 

[CarmelHP]

Go to this site U.S. Military Firearms Manufacture Dates it covers alot of different weapons.

That site says 1908, same as the barrel date.