SRS Search on M1903 please

[rambo46]

A close friend purchased this rifle last month and we have been trying to get as much information on it as possible. The serial number is 1262948 and it is a M1903 style "T".
He says it has a shotgun butt plate, a 1917 Enfield band, a Rimkunas double set trigger, a reversed safety, a checkered stock, a BAR front sight base with a Winchester globe. It also had a leather sling marked 1918 G&K that is in great condition.
Any other information such as date of manufacture or location of sale etc would be greatly appreciated.
The fourth picture should have shown the adjustment screw for the trigger, in front of the trigger guard. Not sure what happened with that pic.

Thanks much,

Bruce

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.

[browningautorifle]

Nice looking rifle...

[rambo46]

Thanks, and can it shoot. That trigger is way less than 1 pound but when you get use to it, it's like nothing I've ever shot before.

[m1903rifle]

Not listed, but here are the closest:

1262946 05/28/42 DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42
1262951NM 07/09/28 USMC R&P TEAM (SHIPPED FROM SA)

[relics6165]

rembo46:

Your receiver fits in with a small group on NM rifles, but it is not listed in SRS. Have you pulled the rifle out of the stock? The reason I ask, since it has AO Niedner's stamp on the barrel, either it was barreled by him, or rebarreled by him. Niedner stamped a number on the bottom of the barrel , just in front of the receiver, and sometimes the initials of the barrel maker. This barrel looks like it could be a SA barrel, so there may not be that info there, but you oughta look. Does it have a proof P stamped on the underside of the pistol grip?

My guess, and I do have some experience with Type T rifles, since there are NO other Type T's in this serial number range, is that it is a T built by Niedner from DCM parts. No proof P on the pistol grip, and a Niedner number on the bottom of the barrel should confirm this, if that is the case.

My advice may be worth exactly what you paid for it.......................

HTH

[relics6165]

rambo46:

Your bolt is a straight handled bolt, without looking it should date before 1918, this reinforces my thought that it is built from parts, and not an original T.

[cplstevennorton]

I really like that. lol Niedner didn't open up his shop in MI till after 1920, and I don't know that much about him this late.

If I was you, I would take this over to the doublegun forum. There are some really good Niedner Historians over there, and this kind of rilfe is what that forum is all about. I bet they could tell you a lot about it.

[browningautorifle]

and can it shoot. That trigger is way less than 1 pound

You could always adjust it up a bit to your comfort. I'd love to wring it out a bit too. That's the kind of rifle one starts reloading and doing accuracy loads for...nice catch.

[Calif-Steve]

A very nice find. Possible it is an M2 stock? Not sure. It must run well, a true keeper.

[rambo46]

Gentlemen,
Thank you for the information and your interest. The rifle has not yet been removed from its stock but will be this weekend, findings to follow. I wish each one of you men could get behind this rifle and experience how sweet it is. I know you wouldn't soon forget it.