New to me 1903

[chuckchili]

I just got a 1903 and have some questions. The rifle is Springfield serial 948xxx with a SA '42 barrel. It looks real clean and nice but I have some concerns- the stock has no noticable marks (except what's pictured below) and the bolt has markings that I can not find info on. Those markings are also pictured below. Also, it has a silver colored butt plate that is checkered which I think is not correct- am I right? The bayonet lug has a "H", is that good or bad? Any help / opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

The receiver is from 1918; the barrel and stock are replacements from World War II (the stock was originally made for a late Remington M1903 or a early Remington or SC M1903A3. The bolt body is from about 1920. It appears that at least the lower band and safety are replacements, as well. The rifle has been refinished. Pretty typical for a WWII overhaul.

[Lancebear]

Chuck,

Any markings on the front sight protector? Hole in left front of receiver?

Marking on the left side stock is probably an arsenal or inspector's stamp. I'll look it up.

LB

[Kirk]

H on the bayonet lug means it has been hardened, a good thing. Can you post pictures of the butt plate? There were several kinds. Also, the "silver color" can mean 'all the finish is worn off' or it's chrome plated. Again, pictures will help.

All in all, your rifle should be a good one to shoot. If has a Double Heat Treatment receiver & bolt, good things.

A fellow named ViShooter has an excellent reference website, http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html where you can find out lot's of info about your rifle. John Beard posts his bolt heat lot info there as well, where you can date your WL 3 bolt. The WL 3 bolts were used from 1921 into 1928, a bit late for your 1918 receiver.

[Mike D]

The books I have say A.H.A. inspector mark is unknown.

The "H" on the bayonet lug means "hardened", which was started a few years after the new band was adopted.

A stamped, checkered buttplate (1903A3) would not be correct for your rifle, but there are also milled, checkered buttplates.

Would love to see some more pics. Nice rifle!


Didn't mean to go over you Kirk, I started typing, got sidetracked, and then came back.

[chuckchili]

Wow, thanks for all the responses! I'll post some more pictures of the things requested, anything to help you all help me! I guess I didn't take a picture or it but there is a hole in the receiver on the left side near the front. I figured the lower band did not belong but thanks for the info about the safety and the stock markings.

Butt Plate



Sight Hood

[Kirk]

Your butt plate is a stamped (vs. forged & milled) Remington butt plate from WWII. The finish is worn; a new one was blued.

[Lancebear]

Hey Chuck,

I figured Augusta Arsenal, but Mike has better eyes than me. Nice rifle.

LB

[Mike D]

The hole on the left side of the receiver is known as the "Hatcher Hole". It became standard in 1936 as an extra safety measure in the event of cartridge case failure.

As older receivers came through the arsenals for rebuild it was added to them as well.

Sight hood is also from WWII.

You asked for opinions, so if it were mine...

I'd change the buttplate and lower band for milled ones. Can't see the stacking swivel enough to tell if it is stamped too, but I'd put a milled one on there. To me, those stamped parts stand out on an '03, and milled, replacements are not expensive.

Another thing is the stock. Stock pins (versus bolts) were a cost saving measure that didn't pan out. Cracked over time. Stocks with grasping grooves look nice, but can be expensive. If your going to shoot alot, replacing the pins with bolts is an inexpensive option. There was a thread not long ago about it. OK, I'm done rambling!

One other thing. Is the trigger grooved/serrated?

Nice rifle and thanks for sharing!

[duckcreekdick]

I love the expertise of you fellows dealing with grooved/ungrooved triggers, stamped vs forged buttplates, stamped barrel bands and "H's" on the stacking swivel. But sometimes this kind of minutia can get in the way of what matters, like how is the bore, does it headspace safely and how does the old girl shoot? Kind of like reading a book but being more concerned with the binding, print style and size, and quality of the paper, rather than what the author is tryng to communicate. I would never make the grade as a collector.