New Springfield 1903 MKI

I recently got a 1903 MKI at an on-line estate sale.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1903MkI1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../1903MkI-1.jpg

Description says:

Serial no.1132010, .30-06 cal., 24" barrel, dark parkerized finish, walnut stocks. "SA" marked barrel is dated "11-19" with Ordnance bomb stamp. Stock cartouches on left side and lower grip. Finger gripstock and Pederson device slot in left receiver.


Started thinking--the Pederson conversion was to fire a pistol -type round. Was wondering--this is still safe to fire the 30.06 round, even with the cut-out for the Pederson device, right?

Also got a Smith Corona A3

Not certain, mind you, but I think the stock is not correct. I really can't be certain as the photo isn't good enough.

The pictures are from the auction site. I'll post better when they actually arrive.

I wondered about the stock, because there does not appear to be a cut out for the ejection port.

The stock actually looks rather nice. Hope it is a Mk1 stock!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Calfed

I recently got a 1903 MKI at an on-line estate sale.


Started thinking--the Pederson conversion was to fire a pistol -type round. Was wondering--this is still safe to fire the 30.06 round, even with the cut-out for the Pederson device, right?

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yes. its safe assuming the rifle is in good condition.

The Pederson devie was designed so it could readily be removed, the standard bolt replaced and firing resumed with fill power .30 Cal ammunition.
Also the area of the ejection pot is not a hifg stress area. All Military mauser 98's, for example, have a thumb cut in the same spot to facilitate clip loading that's easily twice as large.

Close up pictures of the area aound the ejection port and any inspectors marks on the left side of the stock above and behind the trigger may resolve any stock questions. The relief cut on a "real" Mk1 Stock is really very shallow.

Regards,

Jim

One of the first military rifles I ever bought was a Mark I. It was d and t on the side for a Lyman but I just "had to have it" anyway. When I found out the stock was not correct I sold it and was going to put the money towards a right one, but then times got tough and I sold the action with all the hardware seperately. Lost almost half the money I had in it. One of those hard lessons I learned when I began "collecting". :) Wish I still had it.

The stock relief cut is shallow but still noticeable. Your stock looks to have too much of a straight line along the cutout in the receiver. Still a very nice rifle. Enjoy. :cheers:

The MKI and the Smith Corona arrived at my FFL dealer today. Before they went into the safe for the obligatory 10 day "cooling off" period, I got a look at them.

The bore on the MKI is sharp, shiny and gauges a "1" on the CMP muzzle gauge. Barrel is marked "SA" and is dated 11-19. It does not close on a Clymer field gauge.

There are cartouches on the stock and I'll post pictures of same when I get it in 10 days

I picked up the 1903MK1 today, along with the S/C 03A3. A few pics:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3MKI0011-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3MKI0131-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3MKI0021-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3MKI0111-1.jpg

A flaming bomb, just forward of the trigger guard
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3MKI0101-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3MKI0091-1.jpghttps://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3MKI0161-1.jpg

Nice rifles Cal. I noticed the upper band on the Mark I has a cut in the bottom. I also have one of these on a rifle. I remember reading, maybe Poyer, that this was for use in bayonet practice, to screw the band tight to the stock. Is this correct?