A shootable low number nice condition 1903 (rebuilt?) I'd like to learn more about???

[makinster]

It’s a 1903 Springfield, serial number 918479 (supposedly manufactured sometime in 1918). Receiver is stamped “U.S. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1903, 918479” using small letters. The barrel is stamped “R A” over flaming bomb over “12 – 42”.The front sight is a commercial blade replacement with a small brass bead. The middle barrel band is from an A3. The remainder appears 1903.


The buttplate has a small trapdoor covering a drilled hole containing a round wooden dowel milled out to hold spare parts for the bolt. Referred to as a “spare parts container”, it’s purportedly a scarce item.


The front and rear sights are covered with commercial sight protectors stamped “P.J.O’Hare”; the brass front “MADE IN U.S.A., the steel rear “MADE IN ENGLAND”. Both crudely scratched with the date “1937”. The trigger feels like a replacement. The rifle is in fine condition; I suspect someone used it for target work.

What can you tell me about it? Any details you could provide would be appreciated. It’s a neat rifle that I’ve had for about 3 decades and my curiosity is pushing me into some research. My plans include shooting it. Thanks for any input. MAK

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.

[Dad]

Nice rifle, I have S/N 959XXX also manufactured in 1918, best shooting rifle I own!

Well since you asked for information….
There are some things on your rifle which are not as "issued correct"
The barrel is a WWll replacement.
The front sight blade is a commercial item.
Your rear sight knobs are also replacements, can't tell about the sight ladder.
And yes looks like the rear band is not correct.
The hand guard, I think, is a WWll replacement (think it should have a "high hump" hand guard).
Does the rifle have the correct "J5" bolt?
The cocking piece and bolt shroud are WWll items.
Not sure if the magazine cutoff is correct or not.
I like the stock a lot! I'll let the experts tell you about the stock and whether it is correct or not.
The spare parts container is a rare item, reproductions seem to sell in eBay for around $90 or so.
The front sight protector/bore cap looks to be an P.J.O'Hare and also goes for some serious coin as does the rear sight protector.

If the bore is good it should be a great shooter.

Enjoy,

D.

P.S. Low number Springfield are S/N 800,000 and lower, Rock Island are S/N 286,560 and lower. You have a "High Number" receiver.

[browningautorifle]

Love that spare parts container. You don't see those very often.

[Rick the Librarian]

The rifle is not a low-numbered M1903 - in the 900,000 range, it is considerably above the 800,000 "border".

If you need a correct milled lower band, email or PM me.

[makinster]

The rifle is not a low-numbered M1903 - in the 900,000 range, it is considerably above the 800,000 "border".

If you need a correct milled lower band, email or PM me.

YES, I'd like to locate a correct milled lower band in condition similar to existing surfaces on rifles hardware. Please email me with particulars/price. I'd attempted an email earlier this morning, but I probably did it incorrectly. Looking forward to hearing from you.

[PeteDavis]

Sweet iron. A fine early double heat receiver and the rifle has been rebuilt and refinished to state-of-the-art. A tribute to the resourcefulness of our WW2 depot system. WW2 rebuilds such as this are highly desirable from my perspective. I'd love to have it!

PD

[Harlan (Deceased)]

HI PETE! Where the heck have you been? It's GREAT to see you here again.

Maybe if you have time you can start a new thread (so as not to highjack this one) and catch us up on yourself and your projects.
- I'd love to see how your house building project is now! I think it's been a year or more since you last posted updates.

Again, it's great to see you here again!
~ Harlan

[Rick the Librarian]

HI PETE! Where the heck have you been? It's GREAT to see you here again.

Maybe if you have time you can start a new thread (so as not to highjack this one) and catch us up on yourself and your projects.
- I'd love to see how your house building project is now! I think it's been a year or more since you last posted updates.

Again, it's great to see you here again!
~ Harlan

Amen to that! Hi, Pete!!

[PeteDavis]

Thanks guys-I will post up some miscellaneous stuff shortly. This site is incredible!

PD

[Emri]

Thanks guys-I will post up some miscellaneous stuff shortly. This site is incredible!

PD

Please do !!! A lot of new guys have never seen or heard of "the armory". Are you finally finished with it ? I don't remember seeing any pics and postings stating "fini".

Emri