+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: Newbie here. Possible 03? A customer thought he had a Winchester30-06

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    esptud74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last On
    01-24-2014 @ 01:07 PM
    Location
    Upper Midwest
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 AM

    Newbie here. Possible 03? A customer thought he had a Winchester30-06

    This guy who stopped into the office today, picked up a rifle from his uncle who purchased it from a man who lived in New Mexico. He thought it was a Winchester M70, albeit an older one, but wasn't exactly sure.

    I could use some help here. All I can see is a Redfield Scope base, with an old Weaver scope and serial numbers on the side of the receiver. No other markings and no front sight either. The claw extractor doesn't scream "Winchester" to me.

    It looks like a Springfield 03 receiver. Can anyone shed some light on this? He paid $150 for it and it seems pretty solid to me. I'm guessing it's just a custom build with Buehler 3 point safety. It says "Buehler" on the edge of the safety.


    Here are some pictures:











    ---------- Post added at 04:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:25 PM ----------



    ---------- Post added at 04:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:27 PM ----------



    ---------- Post added at 04:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:29 PM ----------

    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.
    Last edited by esptud74; 01-23-2014 at 05:42 PM.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    Dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Last On
    03-23-2024 @ 10:37 AM
    Location
    S.F.Bay area U.S.A.
    Posts
    157
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    05:27 AM
    I think that is a M1903 Springfield receiver from around 1918. S/N is too low to be a 03A3.

    D.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Europe
    Posts
    1,842
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:27 PM
    Jesus, that is an original M1903 receiver for the W&S M1913 sight! Too bad a new sight base was installed, makes restoring nearly impossible. Holes on the left side of the receiver are for the bracket, the rifle is also in a known serial range for original snipers.

  6. #4
    Legacy Member HOOKED ON HISTORY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 03:47 PM
    Location
    MS/USA
    Posts
    3,991
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:27 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Promo View Post
    Jesus, that is an original M1903 receiver for the W&S M1913 sight! Too bad a new sight base was installed, makes restoring nearly impossible. Holes on the left side of the receiver are for the bracket, the rifle is also in a known serial range for original snipers.
    Ouch!

  7. #5
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    esptud74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last On
    01-24-2014 @ 01:07 PM
    Location
    Upper Midwest
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY View Post
    Ouch!
    I've seen 03's with gas holes but was wondering about the other holes in receiver. I've never owned an 03 so I wasn't sure what to tell him. Everyone thought it was just an old stock Winchester 70

  8. #6
    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 08:59 PM
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    4,314
    Real Name
    Robert Seccombe
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    07:27 AM
    Your rifle appears to have had the "Hatcher hole" during rebuild at which time or even long before, any W&S holes from the bracket would have plugs. These plugs are often very difficult to remove as I have had friends that did find WW1 SA barreled actions at the CMPicon with the W&S holes and plugs. Sometimes they used a different size screw to plug the holes.

    Another idea is that perhaps a Jaeger or ECHO bracket ( or something on that design) was mounted at some point in time and later removed ?

  9. #7
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    esptud74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last On
    01-24-2014 @ 01:07 PM
    Location
    Upper Midwest
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by RCS View Post
    Your rifle appears to have had the "Hatcher hole" during rebuild at which time or even long before, any W&S holes from the bracket would have plugs. These plugs are often very difficult to remove as I have had friends that did find WW1 SA barreled actions at the CMPicon with the W&S holes and plugs. Sometimes they used a different size screw to plug the holes.

    Another idea is that perhaps a Jaeger or ECHO bracket ( or something on that design) was mounted at some point in time and later removed ?
    Well, he's got a nice hunting rifle now.

  10. #8
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Europe
    Posts
    1,842
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:27 PM
    RCS, definately a W&S Sniper. There are even SRS listed W&S snipers in that range, like 928.836 or 929.184. Those were listed as being sent to RIA, probably for Arsenal overhaul/rebuild in 1925.

    I'm not sure who redrilled those holes, but they are definately for W&S, plus the rifle is in a known range.

    Edit: I'd somehow like to restore that rifle.. Would be a hell of work, but a fun aswell. Why did he show you the rifle?
    Last edited by Promo; 01-24-2014 at 02:26 AM.

  11. #9
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    esptud74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last On
    01-24-2014 @ 01:07 PM
    Location
    Upper Midwest
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 AM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Promo View Post
    RCS, definately a W&S Sniper. There are even SRS listed W&S snipers in that range, like 928.836 or 929.184. Those were listed as being sent to RIA, probably for Arsenal overhaul/rebuild in 1925.

    I'm not sure who redrilled those holes, but they are definately for W&S, plus the rifle is in a known range.

    Edit: I'd somehow like to restore that rifle.. Would be a hell of work, but a fun aswell. Why did he show you the rifle?
    He's a friend of mine and we both like the outdoors and he knew I collected Germanicon rifles. I know little about 03's and the like. He said he bought a gun from his uncle and wasn't sure exactly what caliber or model of Winchester it was. Well, turns out it's not a Winchester after I told him to bring it in. I'll admit that neither of us are savvy when it comes to this stuff though. It's a nice, substantial (heavy) deer rifle as it is, but I suppose he'd let it go for the right amount.

    I have no idea who drilled those holes and neither does he. Looks professionally done. Really clean and uniform work

    ---------- Post added at 07:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:41 AM ----------

    What is RCS or SRS?

    I assume RIA is Rock Island Arsenal?

  12. #10
    FREE MEMBER
    NO Posting or PM's Allowed
    esptud74's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Last On
    01-24-2014 @ 01:07 PM
    Location
    Upper Midwest
    Posts
    6
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    06:27 AM
    Thread Starter
    I have no idea if its been rebarreled or just blued, drilled and tapped on top and dropped into a new stock. The three bracket holes look original to me, like that's how the rifle came from the factory.

    The owner of the rifle lives in North Iowa

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Good to be a regular customer...
    By WarPig1976 in forum The Watering Hole OT (Off Topic) Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-22-2013, 09:09 PM
  2. Thought I had a P-14???
    By ozzielee303 in forum Pattern 1913/1914 and M1917 Rifles
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 07-01-2010, 06:48 PM
  3. Just when I thought I'd seen it all.
    By andiarisaka in forum Krag Rifles
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 10-05-2009, 11:28 PM
  4. Garand Picture of the Day #194 Happy CMP Customer??
    By Mark in Rochester in forum M1 Garand/M14/M1A Picture of the Day Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-04-2009, 06:01 AM
  5. Customer service defined.
    By Nate in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-18-2009, 01:07 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks