Very Early 1903 Match type rifle with Winchester barrel

[martin08]

That's a thought too. They did do that one in .30...

7.62mm

[cplstevennorton]

I think the 1895's had a rear sight installed close to the middle of the barrel. So maybe one that was never drilled or cut for a rear sight? But looking at the pics of the 1895, that barrel seems to be a little heavier made.

This barrel when I put it next to a regular 03 barrel, it seems identical in shape and countour. And it also has some sort of barrel band on the barrel as well.

And I guess I should say I don't even know what caliber it is. It's not marked anywhere and I haven't tried to fire it. So it might even be some odd ball caliber. I'm not sure to be honest.

[cplstevennorton]

I know Winchester made some international barrels for the 1903. But they had different front sights.

I'm not even sure too if this wasn't a longer one like a 28 or 30'' and cut down to a 24''. The muzzle is in the white. So maybe it was a cutdown barrel?

[supercub]

Back in the 20's I think, Winchester made 30" heavy target barrels for the Springfield 1903 international match guns. Here's one Model T listing to give you an idea. RARE SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1903 T-SERIES TARGET RIFLE Cal. 30-0 for sale (962167454)
I have seen that gun as it's here in Anchorage at a local gun shop. It's a massive barrel to say the least! It's just under an inch, 7/8th's I think, at the muzzle.

I have a Springfield 03 sporterized that has an SA experimental barrel on it. SA worked on barrel development all the time, it's one that went out the back door apparently. Perhaps that one you have is a developmental project that snuck out Winchesters back door? LOL

Kurt

[browningautorifle]

7.62mm

7.62x54R, 30 Army(Krag), 30.US(30-06)...should I go on?

And it also has some sort of barrel band on the barrel as well.

The barrel band is the type you'll find on a Mod 70, thus my original train of thought.

[vintage hunter]

The barrel band is the type you'll find on a Mod 70,

I've never seen a barrel band of any kind on a Model 70 or a 54. Based on the markings and their location I'm convinced it's a Model 95 and the ''band'' is in just about the right place to be covering the rear sight dovetail cut on a '95 barrel. M54's and 70's with standard weight barrels had a raised boss for the r/s dovetail. Also I've never seen ''especially for smokeless powders'' stamping on a M54 or M70 barrel.

I'm not even sure too if this wasn't a longer one like a 28 or 30'' and cut down to a 24''. The muzzle is in the white. So maybe it was a cutdown barrel?

Possible, but it looks like the typical flat Winchester crown where the finish has worn off of to me.

[browningautorifle]

I've never seen a barrel band of any kind on a Model 70 or a 54.

My apologies, you're quite right. I was thinking about the sight base. It's not a slip over band at all...

[Cosine26]

I do not believe that the barrel is from a M1895 Winchester. The information that I have is that for the M1895:
Shank diameter = 1.080 "
Tenon diameter = 0.932.
The M1903 action requires at a minimum:
Shank Diameter = 1.145"
Tenon diameter = 1.040
In 1922 Winchester advertised a Sniper Rifle built on the M1903 action. The rifle had a 26 inch nickel steel barrel, 1.5" at the receiver and 7/8 inch at the muzzle. It was built in two styles: (1) with a modified service stock, and (2) one with a hand made-to-order stock. These are illustrated on page 251 of Brophy's book. They did not last and were only advertised in the September 1922 Arms and the Man magazine.
To quote further from Brophy:
" The Winchester Repeating Arms Company did make a number of Winchester barrels for the '03 that could be ordered and fitted by the custom gunsmith"
I believe that this is one of those barrels fitted to a model 1903 action. In 1922 very few shooters were concerned with the SHT/LN M1903 actions.
FWIW