New member as a 1903 A1 followed me home from gun show

[supercub]

Nice looking gun. I like the C and the Scant stocks for shooting and I like to shoot em. The stock doesn't look issue, but not a bad looking repo either. The extractor has the hole which I think is correct for a Springfield? I'm more familiar, thanks to the people here, with the proper Remington marks, but not so much with the Springfields. Anything on the trigger guard at all?

Kurt

[cmrtwister6115]

It says Boyds on the stock

[browningautorifle]

Yes, it says Boyd's inside but I still think it's a nice one. I would like it just as it is because I could shoot it without worrying about collector value.

[Mike D]

Yes, it says Boyd's inside but I still think it's a nice one. I would like it just as it is because I could shoot it without worrying about collector value.

I completely agree. The rifle is a "mix-master". Nothing wrong with that. That's what kept them in the game.

The early bolts, like you have, are generally not considered safe for shooting. It might not headspace correctly, never know. A nickel steel bolt would go great with that rifle, but they can be pricey. A3 bolts are cheap, but personally, I would try to find a bolt with the swept look of the later SA bolts. Lots to choose from.

Besides the bolt, I would not change the rifle.

[wanderer32]

Anything on the trigger guard at all?

No Kurt, not in the open anyway. When I had the floor plate off the magazine there is a small s stamped in front of the trigger guard so I just took that to mean it was a springfield mfg stamp. Thank you for the reply and, Have a good evening.

Besides the bolt, I would not change the rifle.

I was wondering about that as I saw in my reading somewhere a change to different metal and bolt angle to distinguish it. I will go back to find the year and full reason why. And yes I will find a different bolt to be safe. Thank you Mike.

I would like it just as it is because I could shoot it without worrying about collector value.

Thank you Jim, I was kind of hoping to hit it lucky with this 1 but still very happy as I like its looks, wanted a 1903 and wont worry about the collector value as I shoot it. But will still take extra good care of it as the collector rifles have history and I see this 1 as have a little history from 3 or 4 rifles. If only each part could talk (lol). Just playing around here with a shell I am about 98% sure it will be a correct head space. Will check it at the gun shop tomorrow.

Regards, Larry H

[supercub]

"No Kurt, not in the open anyway. When I had the floor plate off the magazine there is a small s stamped in front of the trigger guard so I just took that to mean it was a springfield mfg stamp. Thank you for the reply and, Have a good evening."

If it looks like this one (note pin ahead of the trigger slot) it was modified by Springfield. There was a problem with early ones where the slot was too long and if the trigger was bumped forward when the rifle was in the cocked position it could fire. Rather than toss them, they modified them and marked them with and s and re-used them. I have one in a remington sporter.

http://www.vishooter.net/m1903/trigger_slot_pin.jpg

It's all good.

Kurt

[wanderer32]

OK I found a small s stamp on the bottom of the Bolt lock. Also looking at G Broker and other places for a complete bolt.

Larry H

[Dad]

The small "s" stamp on the underside of the safety lug seems to indicate a bolt of 1903 to 1912 vintage.
Check this web site.
http://www.vishooter.net/slc1_2008.html

For a replacement bolt, you could try Bill Ricca.
Check item Y49 on this web page.
Bill Ricca's 03/03A3 Parts and Accessories

D.

[wanderer32]

Yes Kurt, The magazine is Identical to your pictures and s is almost in the same spot. Also has the pin in front of slot.

These little s's I am finding here and there must mean it is at least all springfield except for the stock.

Wow! Learning a lot of history here today between you guys and the reading I am doing.

A Great Big THANKS to everyone!!!

[Cosine26]

If you page through all of the pictures on the initial posting and some of the pictures of the second posting you will see that the stock is clearly stamped BOYDS, which means it is a replacement. It looks like nice stock but I have never used BOYDS stocks. The bolt looks like an early SHT bolt to me. Just saw the new posts. It is an early bolt. I have one just like it.