Springfield 1903 NRA Sporter???

[dude67]

Hello,
I am trying to confirm my what I think is a Springfield 1903 NRA Sporter S/N 1191686 that my late Father in law has given me. I have included a few pics. This rifle is in a too pristine condition to have been a military rifle. I have to admit I know nothing about this rifle accept the S/N is of the year 1920.

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

your rifle is a standard military issue 1903 Springfield, Mark 1, if you remove the scope base, you will see that is says, just that..
barrel is a WW2 replacement...other then a nice hunting rifle, with some great familiy value...its nothing special.

[Mike D]

No NRA sporter, just a sporter.

Its a Springfield Armory Mark I receiver (oval shaped cut-out on left side of receiver) thats had a barrel change. Probably went through rebuild after WWII.

Then sometime after that, someone sporterized it by drilling & tapping and blueing the receiver and barrel.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

As said above, it's an early 1903 'Mark I' variant that's been through at least one arsenal rebuild (most parts refinished and swapped around by the military) and the barrel was most likely changed to a 'then' more modern WWII era HS replacement barrel.

Many new HS barrels were scrapped after the war and bent to take them out of service, but later straightened and sold as good barrels.
(Just something to keep in mind)

It still would have had some collector value after being rebuilt by the military, and 'some' people would have possibly given it a little more value, though being rebuilt, just for the fact it was a 'Mark I' variant at one time. (Some would not)

Sadly, as far as collector value, it was later 'sporterized' in the private sector after released from military service to look more like a modern hunting rifle sometime in the past, and it now has very little resale value left, other than for the few parts that haven't been altered.
The original stock is gone and the original Mark I receiver has been drilled and tapped for a scope so it has almost no resale value now.

Many, many old milsurp rifles were done this way, especially during the 50's and 60's because they were an inexpensive substitute for a much more expensive hunting rifle back then. Modern hunting rifles during that time period were expensive and nobody thought anything of sporterizing old milsurp rifles to be hunting rifles because people could buy them out of barrels at that time for around $20.

Your late father-in-law was probably proud of it at one time in his life and he may have possibly done the work on it himself in his life.
I'd keep it as a family heirloom and have fun shooting it. With the HS replacement barrel, it might make a great and accurate shooter, depending if the barrel was indeed replaced by the military during an arsenal rebuild.

It's not a piece of junk if the barrel is good, and it might make a great hunting rifle with family history attached.
If it were mine, I'd have it checked by a gunsmith and then take it to the range to see how it shoots. It would be nice if it groups well (probably will) and you can keep it alive!

It just has very little resale value left. In my area an arsenal rebuilt, sporterized, D&T'd Mark I in an aftermarket stock would sell slowly for around $200 - $250.

[Rick the Librarian]

Cafdfw,

Aren't you thinking of the Sedgely barrels that were bent and sold as scrap? Never heard of HS barrels in any quantity that this was done.

Most High Standard barrels are very good quality.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Yes, you are completely correct Rick, Sorry about that. (Old age is hitting hard lately)
Just spent two weeks in the ICU -
I received your books and they're outstanding. I'll get back to you on email, but wanted you to know I appreciate the books and help. I was hospitalized suddenly and out of contact with everyone.

I think 'dude67's' sporterized rifle will probably make a good shooter.

[Jeff L]

Interesting that they didn't shorten the barrel like they usually did "back in the day".

-Jeff L

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I thought the same this Jeff.

[dude67]

Thanks alot fellas. I'm thinking of returning a military stock
to it. I know that the receiver will ever have the unsightly tapped holes for the scope mount. But it nice and I want to Un-sport it. Where could a guy find the sight that mount on the right hand side??

[sniper188]

Thanks alot fellas. I'm thinking of returning a military stock
to it. I know that the receiver will ever have the unsightly tapped holes for the scope mount. But it nice and I want to Un-sport it. Where could a guy find the sight that mount on the right hand side??

The guys are right, no way will it be a cheap project, plus it would be super easy to screw it up. I would contact Chuck-in Denver and ask if you could UPS him the gun and have him evaluate the cost to restore it. It would be well worth his time & the shipping cost. I have done Garands, Carbines, and some 1903's in the past 10 years, and the early 1903's are a pain in the *** because they were was made for over 40 years and there is a ton of parts on the market, US, foreign, and worn out. Plus the crooks who sell pure junk.
Pictures are a help but they usually don't tell the whole story.
Good luck it will be a fun project and you will learn a lot.