1907 Springfield Model 1903

[rayg]

Probably shot a lot and wore the barrel out in the war. Even though it could have been fired many times before, I still wouldn't take a chance and shoot it. Ray

[RCS]

I would agree with Ray, there are a lot of nice high numbered 1903 rifles around that you can shoot. Anyone notice that the CMP auction has s/n 195 with a SA 05 barrel and early modified rod bayonet stock on auction now

Robert

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Ditto here... We take a slight risk when shooting any of these old guns anyway. Why shoot a gun that has any connection to known failures? You have a neat, early historical rifle that is great just to own.

You can buy later 1903 "shooters" for less money than the cost of a trip to the ER alone.

Regards,
~ Harlan

[RCS]

If you want to shoot an early 1903 such as this four digit, I use the adopter to shoot the 32 ACP or 32 S&W. Works nice in a pistol range or back yard. Even thought about rechambering to 32 S&W Long. They do make the adopter in 30M1 Carbine cal tooAttachment 57719

[browningautorifle]

That .32 S&W long would be a great substitute...that's the sort of thing could find me working over the lathe for a few dozen hours...make about ten rds or so...

[68GT390]

So I have some questions regarding the stamping on the stock. On the left side there are 2 stamps in rectangular boxes. One is C-S.A.A. and the other L. S.A.A.. Also, rear of those 2 markings is another that looks like F JA in a rectangular box as well. I can't really make out the first character. It could be an F, E, or 5. Right in front of that stamp there is a circular stamp as well. Very faint but I can see that it had some detail to it. Lastly, there is #4 inside the stock where the barrel would lay.

Previously someone said the P in a square box is post WWII. Is the P in the circle leading up to WWII?

Thanks

[Rick the Librarian]

Both CSAA and LSAA ate San Antonio Arsenal. I think the CSAA is WWII and the LSAA late WWII or early post-war. The FJA is an inspection stamp indicating the stock was originally mounted on a Remington M1903 or M1903A3, or a Smith Corona M1903A3. The FJA is Frank J. Atwood, the commander of the Rochester Ordnance District, which contained Remington and Smith-Corona. The "square" P-proof stamp was used during WWII by both San Antonio Arsenal and Red River Arsenal.

[RCS]

Rick, the information that I have received from Charles Redfield states that the P in the square is post WW2. as a matter of fact there are two variations of the P in a square. First is the serifed P in a square on AA stocks and San Antonio Arsenal stocks with the rebuild non serif P in square and Red River Arsensal RRA rebuild stocks also with the non serifed P in a square

Do you have information confirming that the P in a square is a WW2 stock rebuild stamp ?

[Harlan (Deceased)]

68GT390,

Try to jeep in mind that the wooden stock on your WWI 1903 is actually a WWII stock that was used in WWII by a later model of the WWI 1903 and is called a 1903-A3. It is nowhere correct for your rifle even if the action of your 1903 seems to fit.... It is NOT right...

ALL of the markings on the stock relate to the WWII era model 1903-A3 stock that didn't carry your early 1903 rifle.. They have NO connection with your 1903 at al, other than they came out over 20 years later sadly... They have NOTHING to do with your rifle at all..

The FJA stamp on your stock is from when the WWII stock and rifle left 1903-A3 production in WWII. It is only an inspection's stamp from the WWII era. The other' boxed' stamps on your stock are rebuild stamps from and after after WWII. The 'Circle P' is the first proof stamp after the rifle was build in WWII. It is a 'Proof' stamp from when they tested the original WWII 1903-A3 stocked rifle with a HIGH load ammo to 'Proof' fire the gun with a high load to see if it was durable. NONE of the stamps on your stock have ANYTHING to do with your early 1903. ALL markings on the stosk are related to WWII and have NO connection with your rifle at all.

[68GT390]

Many thanks for the thorough explanation! I am new to the M1903, and I truly appreciate the help. These rifles have a tremendous history, which I enjoy researching.
Thanks for all of your responses.