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I have a sporterized Springfield 1903 S/N 81619, RIA Barrel dated 9-17. The stock was cut down, refinished and a recoil pad attached in place of the butt plate, sling swivel cutouts filled.
Also there is a spiral pattern on the barrel, which I assume was done to smooth it out, if so, how was it done, anyone know? Is it worthwhile to restore this rifle to original condition? I would appreciate any opinions. I am attaching some pictures.
I'd want to find out about that barrel (the "spirals") before I did anything else. You've got just about TOTAL mixed parts - maybe restore to a "generic" M1903 - don't try to restore to "correct" condition.
The spirals were part of the sporterizing, it's called Jeweling. It's usually done to the bolt.
That recoil pad must have been the only one available back when they were sporterizing these rifles. It's always that style it seems.
I think I'd be tempted to leave it alone. JMHO, of course.
Thanks for the coments, I'll probably leave it as is, I would not rebarrel it , and finding a decent stock might be more than I care to do.
Liam, I would just be patient and keep watching for a good stock at gunshows. What you have there seems to be pretty nice minus thhe stock and weird barrel decoration. I would think for 150-200 you could find an S stock (maybe not a finger groove) and stock hardware and end up with a representative piece. No matter what, you have a nice piece of WWI history. Salt Flat
Not drilled and tapped, plus a full length barrel with complete front and rear sights installed - definitely restore it!!
Being a LN, I'd just find a beater finger-groove stock, handguard, and metal, and have it as a representative piece.
It's screaming to be put back into military configuration!
Mike
Thanks again, I have all the other hardware and a A1 "C" stock but converting it to an A1 probably not the best way to go, so I'll wait and see what I can find. By the way I also have an A3 but it is not original either, I never liked the stamped parts on the A3 so I replaced them all with milled parts, it makes a nice shooter.