1920 vintage 1903

[Derrick R.]

Just picked up this 1903, serial number 1182090. First I was wondering if it could be a NM rifle ? Second I need a complete J6 bolt and a floor plate with spring and follower. Also the bolt stop.
Thanks Derrick

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[Fred G.]

Derrick, what is the barrel date on your rifle? Also, does it have a polished bolt on it now? What's the stamping on the safety lug? Your serial number suggests that it might be a 1920 National Match rifle. The 1920 National Match rifles were put together in Fiscal Year 1920, which ran from July 1st 1919 to June 30th 1920. My 1920 National Match rifle is number 1181006. It has a barrel date of 11-19. It has a polished J5 bolt with the swept back handle.
Could you post some pictures of your rifle?

Fred

















---------- Post added at 11:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 PM ----------

[rayg]

Darn Fred, that sure is a pretty gun, Ray

[Fred G.]

Thanks Ray. I've never shot it yet. Just keep wiping it down. I know...what a waste, eh?

[Fred G.]

Derrick, does your rifle have the same profile as mine? It should of course have a grooved trigger and possibly a DAL inspectors cartouche.
If your rifle looks different, it's possible that your rifle was like most of the other 1920 National Match rifles. As I understand it, the 1920 NM rifles, like the other NM types before them each year, could only be purchased and owned by an active duty member of the U.S. Military. They were sold at the 1920 National Matches. Those rifles that were Not sold to individuals, but might've been used by competitors anyway, were withdrawn after the Matches, and disassembled. Their components were then used in the assembly of the next years National Matches in 1921. Possibly the J5 bolt on my 1920 NM rifle originally started out on a 1919 National Match rifle. The receivers of the left over 1920 National Match rifles were used to assemble Service Rifles and reissued in their new incarnation.
That is why although there were originally what...3,000 or so of the 1920 NM rifles made by Springfield Armory, only those that were bought by Active Duty individuals at the 1920 National Matches at Camp Perry were left unaltered and intact for collectors today. There must be very few of them around. I know of one particular gentleman though who is very well known on 1903 forum boards who owns Several of them. He's probably THE most knowledgeable person on the subject of 1903's and National Match rifles living. It was he who confirmed my rifle as a 1920 National Match for me when I asked him what type of National Match rifle, if any, it was. He explained how most people today Mistakenly believe that the first National Match 1903 to be made as such from the ground up was the 1921 National Match rifle. He explained that the 1921 National Match rifles were just the 1st ones to be sold to the general public. I believe he told me that Springfield Armory had been assembling National Match 1903's from the ground up since 1910. Ever since then, the National Match 1903's were certainly NOT just general service rifles that had been worked on to produce such rifles for the Camp Perry matches.

Please post some photo's of your rifle Derrick!

Fred

[Derrick R.]

Thats a very nice rifle Fred. There is bad news to my rifle. It blew up . Either someone tried to fire a 8mm in it or fired it when it was loaded with grease dirt and oil. The receiver is still good as is the barrel. the only parts that were damaged are the ones mentioned above.
The barrel date is 1-20. The stock was shattered where the cartouche is and missing wood there. The gun is very dirty and has dried on grease dirt and oil on it . Even in the inside of the receiver. It has a lyman 48 on it along with a globe style front sight. The rails looked polished to me but the bolt might have been blued.
I will post pictures sometime today. I only paid $125 for the rifle and took a chance. The parts are worth that.
Derrick

[browningautorifle]

You can't tell if the other parts are damaged by just eyeballing them. Don't just replace and sell it or use it as a shooter. Whatever caused it to detonate has done more damage than you can see...

[Derrick R.]

I will have it checked out more than once. I will never sell it without telling the whole story of the rifle. But Thanks for the advice Jim.
Derrick

[Derrick R.]

Here are pictures of the rifle. I hope they tell a good story.
DerrickAttachment 55900Attachment 55914Attachment 55913Attachment 55912Attachment 55911Attachment 55910Attachment 55909Attachment 55908Attachment 55907Attachment 55906Attachment 55905Attachment 55904Attachment 55903Attachment 55902Attachment 55901Attachment 55915

[Derrick R.]

The gold coloring on the parts is from a brass brush I used to try and get the crud off.