+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: M1903A1 NM w/Shipping Crate

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member Tom Jackson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    07-30-2020 @ 02:02 PM
    Posts
    91
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:27 AM

    M1903A1 NM w/Shipping Crate

    It has been a while since I posted any M1903 pictures and my photo skills are pretty rusty. The attachments are pictures of a very late production (1939) M1903A1 NM I acquired several years ago. The rifle is in new condition and is complete with the original Springfield shipping crate. The crate has SA wax seals over several of the screws. The stock and forearm have the late drawing numbers and the bolt has the late "D-1" code. Springfield was apparently using up M1903 parts when this rifle was manufactured - note the Rock Island rear sight leaf with volley notch and safety with serif "SAFE/FIEW" markings. This is one of two M1903/M1903A1 rifles with pre-WWII shipping boxes I have seen in 30 years of collecting.
    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.


  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    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
    Advisory Panel Chuckindenver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 12:38 PM
    Location
    Denver Co
    Age
    61
    Posts
    3,152
    Real Name
    chuck
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    03:27 AM
    very crispy
    warpath metal finishing contact info.
    molinenorski@msn.com
    720-841-1399 during normal bus, hours.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Advisory Panel
    Rick the Librarian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    04-09-2023 @ 08:59 PM
    Location
    NW Washington State
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,301
    Real Name
    Rick Slater
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:27 AM
    Glad to see you back, Tom!!
    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

    --George Orwell

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel John Beard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:33 PM
    Location
    Sweet Home Alabama
    Posts
    1,062
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:27 AM
    Wow! That's Nice!!!

    Thanks for sharing!

    J.B.

  7. #5
    Legacy Member Tom Jackson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    07-30-2020 @ 02:02 PM
    Posts
    91
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:27 AM
    Thread Starter

    M1903a1 nm

    John, Rick, Chuck,

    Thanks for the responses. I am still collecting M1903s along with other U.S. and Britishicon military weapons. I have picked up a few interesting '03s over the last several years - I will try and post pictures as time permits. I need to get up to speed on my photography.

    The rifle I posted pictures of, No. 1526131, is one of the very last NM '03 rifles manufactured and sold by Springfield. The SRS letter shows that it was sold on September 26, 1939. I liked the late bolt and drawing numbers on most of the parts. The upper barrel band and safety are clearly not new production parts but are old parts apparently re-finished and installed by SA. The same with the rear sight - based on the conformation of the "7" on the leaf it appears to be a RIA part. I have owned several late production M1903A1 NM rifles that had sights with the 2750 yard volley notch. It appears any sight that met the NM tolerances was used on late NM rifles. I don't think that there ever was a specific "NM rear sight". Based on the condition of the rifle I don't think it was fired after it left SA and all the parts are what was on the rifle when delivered. I have the SRS paperwork on the rifle but no original papers.

    I have encountered only one other M1903 with pre-war shipping crate, No. 593836, so I was really excited to find this rifle. The outbreak of WWII and elimination of the National Matches after 1940 were probably big factors in keeping this rifle in new condition - it is too bad that the test target and star-gage card did not survive.

  8. #6
    Advisory Panel
    Rick the Librarian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    04-09-2023 @ 08:59 PM
    Location
    NW Washington State
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,301
    Real Name
    Rick Slater
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:27 AM
    I have a 1931 NM with some earlier pre-WWI rear sight parts, so this apparently was not totally rare.

    A PRE-WWI NM with shipping crate! No THAT would be rare! I have NM 605,178 and I thought I was lucky to get just the rifle!!
    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

    --George Orwell

  9. #7
    Legacy Member Tom Jackson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    07-30-2020 @ 02:02 PM
    Posts
    91
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:27 AM
    Thread Starter

    Pre-War NM

    Rick:

    My cased 1914 rifle is a star gauged service rifle and stenciled: "U.S. RIFLE, CAL. 30 M. 1903/STARGAUGED" on the crate. The barrel is dated "12-14". The rifle does not have the NRA sales mark on the floor plate (although it may be an NRA sales rifle) and is a standard service rifle in all respects. I have a pre-WWI NM rifle with 1913 dated barrel - but it is not as nice as yours. It is fitted with the B&B experimental rear sight. SA records show some star gauged rifles in the same serial number range as my rifle were issued to cavalry and infantry units for troop tests. My NM rifle MAY be one of these rifles. Here is a picture of the 1914 rifle (less crate).

  10. The Following 4 Members Say Thank You to Tom Jackson For This Useful Post:


  11. #8
    Advisory Panel
    Rick the Librarian's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    04-09-2023 @ 08:59 PM
    Location
    NW Washington State
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,301
    Real Name
    Rick Slater
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    02:27 AM
    Does your 1914 rifle have a "white" raceway and follower rib?

    A beaut!!
    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

    --George Orwell

  12. #9
    Legacy Member Tom Jackson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    07-30-2020 @ 02:02 PM
    Posts
    91
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    04:27 AM
    Thread Starter
    Rick:

    The 1914 rifle in the picture does not have the polished receiver or follower rib - it is in service rifle configuration. My 2-13 rifle, serial number 544856, has the bolt, receiver and follower polished in the same manner as the post-WWI NM rifles. The polishing marks on either side of the bolt safety lug are pretty distinctive on bolts polished at Springfield Armory.

  13. #10
    Legacy Member rugersworld's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Last On
    11-18-2021 @ 02:57 PM
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    99
    Local Date
    03-29-2024
    Local Time
    01:27 AM

    nice

    Beautiful rifle !
    Thanks for posting.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. 1903 Springfield shipping crate
    By Roy in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-16-2014, 04:40 PM
  2. M1903A1 Value
    By dt1950 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-25-2010, 09:55 PM
  3. M1903a1
    By NP2650 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-02-2009, 04:49 PM
  4. Woodne M1903 shipping crate info?
    By Rick the Librarian in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-17-2009, 01:02 PM
  5. M1903A1 -how much to insure for?
    By Edwin in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 07-03-2009, 11:59 PM

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