Springfield M1903 - previously fitted with a Lyman M48 Receiver sight?

[Arkaler]

Hi,

I have a Springfield 1903 serial number 1360319 that I purchased as a barreled action many years ago. I restored it with some vintage parts from Springfield Sporters and put it into a nice repro finger groove stock that I purchased from CMP.

It's a very nice rifle and it is very accurate. I can off-hand blast water filled milk jugs at 100 yards (and I feel like Steve McQueen in the 'Sand Pebbles' every time I take it to the range and do that), but there is something about it that has always puzzled me.

The left hand side of the receiver has 3 discolored areas to cover up some holes that were previously made - presumably for a scope mount. Looking inside the receiver, you can plainly see the circular areas where the screws must have been.

Recently I came across a picture of a 1903 action that another person from this board found with the holes in the same area - only these were repaired with screws. The hole configuration and placement appeared identical to the welded areas on mine.

I'm wondering if this rifle could have been a National Match rifle that was 'retired' and sold to someone (directly from Springfield or through the old DCM) and had the holes welded.

There are no other marks on the rifle to give me any clues. The barrel is not 'star gauged' and the bolt is not polished or electro-penciled with a serial number.

Can some kind soul do a SRS search for me, and look for the serial number?

I can post some pics of the welded areas if you need me to.

Thanks!

Jim

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

No NM rifle at or even near that serial number.

I believe a Lyman sight had holes drilled on the right side of the receiver.

[Arkaler]

Thanks for checking.

[Herschel]

It was very common in the 1930's and 1940's to mount a telescopic sight using one of the numerous aftermarket side mounts. They were typically mounted using three to five screws. Griffin and Howe mounts used three screws and two pins. While some of these rifles were 1903 NRA Sporters or National Match 1903's, most were just issue type 1903 rifles. The Lyman 48 sight was mounted on the receiver right side below the bridge using two screws. NRA Sporters and some National Match 1903 Rifles came with holes drilled and tapped for the Lyman 48 sight base.