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Thread: Re: Springfield 1903 NRA Sporter Inquiry

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    Re: Springfield 1903 NRA Sporter Inquiry

    Greetings, gents!

    It's been awhile since I've posted here, so I was surprised to see all the changes to the 1903 forum when I logged on yesterday. I hope the new and improved website works out for all of us. Now, onto the topic at hand.

    I have a chance to purchase a Springfield 1903 that's being advertised as a NRA Sporter. Serial number 1367157, SA barrel date 1-31. 24 inch barrel. Sporter stock. I've had the person selling the rifle describe it to me in detail, and there are a few issues of concern:

    * There's no star-gauged mark on the crown of the barrel.
    * There's no NRA and flaming bomb symbol on the bottom of the mag plate.
    * The bolt is not stencilled with the rifle serial number.

    The asking price is $2500, but heck if I'm going to pay that for a parts rifle (as many of you know, sporter stocks, bolts and barrels were available through the DCM in the 20's and 30's for 1903's).

    Can any of you do an SRS search on the serial number and see what comes up? Also looking for opinions, both good and bad news, of what you-all think we have here. Many thanks in advance for your help, gents!

    Best Regards from Virginia,

    The Wolf
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    NRA Sporters did not have the NRA and ordnance symbol. Howveer, I would be concerned about the other two items it lacks. Sounds like a "put-together" to me. I've seen several sporterized M1903s advertised as "NRA Sporters". One of the other guys with access to the SRS records could probably tell you if it is in the "system" as an actual NRA Sporter or not.
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    If a true sporter, the diameter of the barrel is not same a the issue barrel. At the point where the barrel band is located, diameter should be approximately 1/32 larger than an issue barrel.

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    The serial number is listed in DCM Sales as an NRA Sporter.

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    Hmmm. Wolf, you're sure you're looking in the right spot for a SG barrel - 6 o'clock position on the muzzle crown?
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    Wolf,

    My NRA Sporter came without a star gauge mark also. Turned out to be a Buhmiller barrel turned to the exact dimensions of a Sporter barrel. It is superbly accurate, and in my mind, is worth more than a Sporter with its original barrel.

    Jim

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    Quote Originally Posted by The Wolf View Post
    Greetings, gents!

    It's been awhile since I've posted here, so I was surprised to see all the changes to the 1903 forum when I logged on yesterday. I hope the new and improved website works out for all of us. Now, onto the topic at hand.

    I have a chance to purchase a Springfield 1903 that's being advertised as a NRA Sporter. Serial number 1367157, SA barrel date 1-31. 24 inch barrel. Sporter stock. I've had the person selling the rifle describe it to me in detail, and there are a few issues of concern:

    * There's no star-gauged mark on the crown of the barrel.
    * There's no NRA and flaming bomb symbol on the bottom of the mag plate.
    * The bolt is not stencilled with the rifle serial number.

    The asking price is $2500, but heck if I'm going to pay that for a parts rifle (as many of you know, sporter stocks, bolts and barrels were available through the DCM in the 20's and 30's for 1903's).

    Can any of you do an SRS search on the serial number and see what comes up? Also looking for opinions, both good and bad news, of what you-all think we have here. Many thanks in advance for your help, gents!

    Best Regards from Virginia,

    The Wolf
    I checked my data base and found that it was sold as an NRA Sporter. NRA Sporting rifles didn't have the bomb and NRA on the triggerguard, only the pre-WWI NRA rifles had that. He might not be able to see the star gauge mark as most were VERY lightly stamped on the muzzle. It may have a replacement bolt or the number was polished off the bolt. Ask what the bolt is stamped. Should be an N.S. bolt or maybe a WL 3 bolt.

    Here it is as listed;

    1366753SPT 022732DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366754SPT 052432DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366755SPT 072032DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366756SPT 082233DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366757SPT 082233DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366758SPT 103031DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366759SPT 101631DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366760SPT 111931DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

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    Re: Springfield 1903 Sporter Inquiry

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick the Librarianicon View Post
    Hmmm. Wolf, you're sure you're looking in the right spot for a SG barrel - 6 o'clock position on the muzzle crown?
    I told the gentleman over the phone specifically where to look for the star-gauged marking. He did not see one. It may have worn off, or as has been suggested, simply been lightly marked to begin with. Thanks a ton for all the info here, especially confirmation that it is indeed a 1903 Sporter. What do you-all think of the $2500 price?

    Best Regards from Virginia,

    Lone Wolf

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    Thread Starter

    Re: Springfield 1903 NRS Sporter Inquiry

    Quote Originally Posted by Da CSPicon 1903shooter View Post
    I checked my data base and found that it was sold as an NRA Sporter. NRA Sporting rifles didn't have the bomb and NRA on the triggerguard, only the pre-WWI NRA rifles had that. He might not be able to see the star gauge mark as most were VERY lightly stamped on the muzzle. It may have a replacement bolt or the number was polished off the bolt. Ask what the bolt is stamped. Should be an N.S. bolt or maybe a WL 3 bolt.

    Here it is as listed;

    1366753SPT 022732DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366754SPT 052432DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366755SPT 072032DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366756SPT 082233DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366757SPT 082233DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366758SPT 103031DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366759SPT 101631DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
    1366760SPT 111931DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

    The serial number on the Springfield 1903 Sporter is as follows:

    1367157, with an SA dated barrel of 1-31.

    Best Regards from Virginia,

    Lone Wolf

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    Mine's not muzzle-marked either...

    Just FYI.... I have a late-1929 SRS-papered NRA Sporter and the muzzle is not star guage-marked...However, when taken out of the stock, there is a star guage letter & number sequence underneath that yours should have, as well.....Mine's "B" over "3417"...

    Brophy goes into detail on this...

    Best of luck

    218bee

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