Springfield 303

[Emri]

Chuck posted these photos a little while back, but I can't remember if it was on this forum. I would like to see them again, too!

Please, Chuck,

DO show them if you still have them.

Thanks,

Emri

[John Beard]

I read a very good article on the .303 Springfields a few years back. Strictly by vague memory. "The British Purchasing Commission was a United Kingdom organization of the Second World War. Also known at some time as the "Anglo-French Purchasing Board", it was based in New York City, where it arranged the production and purchase of armaments from North American manufacturers."
IF I recall correctly these people visited Remington and asked for a .303 rifle. Remington did the work-up and made a very few toolroom samples. When the US Army heard of the .303 caliber they objected and stopped the caliber conversion. People remembered the P14/M1917 issues of WWI and did not want a repeat of that. Once that was settled the M1903 Remington production started flowing to England. I know during WWII the French asked for a Garand tool package, and the US refused. Too bad the British didn't get a Garand tool package, would have made sense.

If you recollection is accurate, the article you read is flawed. The British came shopping for a rifle in .303 caliber. But, that prospect was very quickly ruled out. Remington was then placed under contract for .30-'06 caliber rifles. And from that point on, it was full speed ahead for .30-'06 caliber rifles. The .303 model shop rifles weren't even a speed bump in the road to production. And there was no relationship with the P'14 and M1917 rifles.

J.B.

[Chuckindenver]

Attachment 22062Attachment 22063Attachment 22064
heres some of the pics of the 303 cal 03,s and one of some of the other 03 variants they have on display..
keep in mind, i only had a short time in the evening to go through the collections, i was there for a gunshow..and both days they chased me out to close up.

[jmoore]

Did Bannermans' or similar ever cobble up any .303"SAA '03 Springfields?

[JGaynor]

There is a nice line drawing of the .303 rifle Remington prototyped for the British in Clark Campbell's "the '03 Springfied Era", 2003

Regards,

Jim

[Calfed]

Wonder how long it took the Brits to find their way from Illion to Utica and make a deal with Savage for .303 No 4's..

[Mohawk]

Savage Number 4's were made at the Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts Plant. Used to live near the old works..Where did Utica, New York come into play? Savage was based out of Springfield, Massachusetts!!!! A sense of pride for those of us from the Bay State. Only good thing to come out of New York were empty buses....and K-Bar knives....

[Calfed]

Savage Number 4's were made at the Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts Plant. Used to live near the old works..Where did Utica, New York come into play? Savage was based out of Springfield, Massachusetts!!!! A sense of pride for those of us from the Bay State. Only good thing to come out of New York were empty buses....and K-Bar knives....

Savage Arms was headquartered in Utica, NY until after WWII.

[Mohawk]

My Bad. I'm 42. Always thought they were a Springfield Operation. New York is still a lousy State.

[Calfed]

Only good thing to come out of New York were empty buses....and K-Bar knives....

Really? Are you familiar with the F-14 Tomcat?