Springfield 303

[Albayo]

A friend called me today and wanted to know if I had ever heard of a Springfield rifle in 303.
I looked it up in my Collector Grade book on Springfields and I let him describe what he saw. He told me what this one looked like and its exactly like the book. Does anyone know how many were made and are they worth much?

Information

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[Mike D]

I've never heard of anything in .303 Brit. Very early '03's were in caliber .30-03, is that what you mean?

Chances of finding a M1903 in .30-03 are very slim.

[Chuckindenver]

Remington made 3 of them for England, they didnt want them, all are in display in the Cody arms museum...i have some pictures of them someplace.

[Emri]

Remington made 3 of them for England, they didnt want them, all are in display in the Cody arms museum...i have some pictures of them someplace.

By all means, PLEASE post them when you get a chance, I would very much like to see them.

I always wanted to go to that museum when attending school in Golden,CO in 1982, it just wasn't feasable. The distance looks small on a map, but the actual distance would require 2 days up and 2 days back driving time. I only had 2 days on a weekend off.

[Calif-Steve]

The British wanted them for very early in WWII. They signed the contract for .303 rifles. US Army objected and the contract was re-written for .30-'06 only. Remington had handmade the .303 rifles, toolroom samples. Never got into production. I did not know that are in Cody. Why and how did they end up there?

[John Beard]

The British wanted them for very early in WWII. They signed the contract for .303 rifles. US Army objected and the contract was re-written for .30-'06 only. Remington had handmade the .303 rifles, toolroom samples. Never got into production. I did not know that are in Cody. Why and how did they end up there?

Your information is not accurate. The British never signed a contract with Remington for .303 caliber rifles.

I do not know how the rifles ended up in Cody unless Remington donated them when they closed down their Ilion factory. I understand that one rifle still remains on display in the Remington museum in Ilion.

J.B.

[Rick the Librarian]

As I understand it, the Brits wanted a .303 Springfield, but Remington said redesigning the rifle would take a long time. As they were in a hurry for rifles, they agreed (and signed a contract for) M1903s in .30-06.

[Chuckindenver]

rifles are pretty strange, lower box magazines, barrels made to accept SMLE type bayonets, weird sights, 17 type stocks, all the rifles are still in the white, and no serial numbers are stamped on the bridge.
if i remember right they were donated by Remington, along with a pile of very very cool military weapons.. including a Remington made M14...very awesome.
the guard when closing laughed at me for standing on a chair to take pictures of the 303 brit Remingtons, ill see if i can find the pics...
the other weapons that stuck in my mind were the Winchester model 100,s parkerized, and set up with a bayonet lug for special forces in Nam,.

[Mike D]

Chuck posted these photos a little while back, but I can't remember if it was on this forum. I would like to see them again, too!

[Emri]

Chuck posted these photos a little while back, but I can't remember if it was on this forum. I would like to see them again, too!

Please, Chuck,

DO show them if you still have them.

Thanks,

Emri