03 N.M. finish?

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Going for a second look at an 03 N.M. I suspect has been sporterized some where down the road, as it is documented as a 1922 N.M. by Springfield Research Service, & has a black park type finish & a non military stock with the nicest walnut I ever seen on an 03. Will post picks later if it follows me home. I thought that era of rifle would be in a blued finish with a polished bolt? The only thing that I can say for sure is that N.M.'s are the most confusing rifles to research originality! Anyhow if I can get this rifle for under four digits, it should be coming home with me today. What do ya think?

Information

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[John Beard]

1922 National Match rifles were dark olive-grey parkerized.

J.B.

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Thanks for that info. If my memory serves me right, it was more of a black to gray finish. But I will be having a second look & possible purchase later this afternoon. It resembles more of a NRA Sporting type but receipt shows it as a National Match sold in November of 1923. Far from an expert but the barrel & receiver appear to be the real deal. How badly butchered from original is the question? But will post pics if the price is right to reflect that it is not completely original, from my limited research on this rifle. It does not have the rear collar or ladder sight, but a correct Lyman rear sight. Trigger appears to be correct as well. But not 100% sure and again my offer is going reflect this.

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Didn't follow me home today but am promised pics. I will post as soon as I get them...

[Rick the Librarian]

If the rifle is missing the original military rear sight and SRS has it down as a National Match, it sounds like it has had some serious customizing/sporterizing work done to it.

Here's a couple of pictures of my NM from a couple of years later. It also has had some modifications: A Type B stock and headless firing pin. It gives you some idea as to the finish, however.

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

The finish appears to be the same, but the bolt has a park finish! & no stenciled number apparent as well. Reversed safety though... I just hatched out a deal for it this afternoon & will probably receive it next weekend. The receipt shows that it was sold to a C.S. Talmadge in November of 1923 through the D.C.M. sales program. The receiver and barrel does not appear to be reworked other than the possibility of the finish and installation of the Lyman sight. I guess pics will tell more of the story when I get it next weekend. The rifle appears period correct with the possibility of two screws on the non military stock being replacements. The bore and rifling are in excellent condition and if at worse it should make very classy hunting rifle...