National match 1903A1?

[1903oughtsixfan]

In 1962, at age sixteen, I purchased my first M1903A1 in Albuquerque. They have been my passion to this day ! I have a question to start off my exploration - Were some of the national match 1903A1 models drilled and tapped for the Lyman M48 receiver sight ? If not, how does it affect the value if all other characteristics are all correct ? Secondly, were star gauge barrels ever installed on non-national match rifles ? I respectfully await any information on this subject.

Information

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[Promo]

Post the serial, it might be listed in the SRS list.

[Johnny Peppers]

The Model 1903 and 1903A1 NM rifles were not offered for sale fitted with the Lyman 48 sight in the DCM brochures of the day, but that is not to say that you couldn't order one that way. In the same brochure offering the rifles you could purchase the Lyman 48 sight which came with the proper size tap. The Model B National Match rifle did come drilled and tapped for the Lyman 48.

For a while you could order the 1903 Service Rifle, and for a small fee have the barrel star gaged. There was also the Special Target which came fitted with a star gaged barrel, but did not have the polishing and fitting of the NM rifles. The NRA Sporter also came with a star gaged barrel of a slightly heavier contour than that of the 1903 rifle. Also, the star gaged barrel could be ordered from the DCM.

Examine the inletting cut in the stock for the sight. They were machine cut at Springfield, and any done later usually show the lack of skill in the inletting. In my opinion it does affect the value of the NM rifle if the sight was fitted after purchase.

[Rick the Librarian]

I agree with Johnny ... I've seen some "professionally-fitted" Lyman sights on M1903s and some others that were real hack jobs.

[1903oughtsixfan]

Post the serial, it might be listed in the SRS list.

The serial number is 1352904 (Springfield Armory) Excuse my ignorance, but what is the SRS ?

[Johnny Peppers]

Your serial number is not listed. SRS is Springfield Research Service, and is information gathered from several sources on U.S. military weapons. Much of the information came from the National Archives where information on serial numbers was recorded. SRS would look through their information to see if your serial number was listed, and for a fee provide you with the information they had.

[1903oughtsixfan]

I assume that my number not being listed by SRS means that it is not a national match rifle ? It is, however, fitted with a 1939 star guage barrel - could any M1903A1 be fitted with such a barrel ? Secondly, is the M1903A1 # 1481030 listed ?

[Rick the Librarian]

1481030 was sold as a receiver (not a complete rifle) in December, 1936.

If your rifle is not listed on SRS, it would mean is that the rifle was not sold to an NRA member or person participating at Camp Perry in the National Matches. It could have been sold to a member of the military, for example. Of course, it would have to be certified that your rifle had true National Match characteristics.

[Johnny Peppers]

Serial number 1481030 is listed as being sold as a receiver. Up until WWII you could order through the NRA/DCM every part for the 1903 Springfield, including the receiver. It could be ordered as a standard service receiver or a NM receiver. Same goes for the barrels, as they could be ordered as a NM barrel.

Just because the serial number is not listed in SRS does not mean it is not a National Match. It could have been a military team rifle that left the military by other means. From the difference in date of the receiver and the barrel it could be a rebuild, but it would have to have the other modifications common to the NM rifles.

---------- Post added at 08:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 AM ----------

Hey Rick, didn't mean to post over you. I must have been typing when you posted.

[Jason60chev]

I own an SRS documented M1903A1 NM rifles from 1932....SN is 1402XXX. It has been drilled and tapped for the Lyman sight and the holes have very small screws inserted. The screw heads do not appear to have ever been removed. The stock has NOT been cut for the sight.

The Model 1903 and 1903A1 NM rifles were not offered for sale fitted with the Lyman 48 sight in the DCM brochures of the day, but that is not to say that you couldn't order one that way. In the same brochure offering the rifles you could purchase the Lyman 48 sight which came with the proper size tap. The Model B National Match rifle did come drilled and tapped for the Lyman 48.

For a while you could order the 1903 Service Rifle, and for a small fee have the barrel star gaged. There was also the Special Target which came fitted with a star gaged barrel, but did not have the polishing and fitting of the NM rifles. The NRA Sporter also came with a star gaged barrel of a slightly heavier contour than that of the 1903 rifle. Also, the star gaged barrel could be ordered from the DCM.

Examine the inletting cut in the stock for the sight. They were machine cut at Springfield, and any done later usually show the lack of skill in the inletting. In my opinion it does affect the value of the NM rifle if the sight was fitted after purchase.