Does anyone know if the SRS tracks M1903 Air Service Rifles serial numbers? Can I post a serial number and if the rifle was built as an Air Service rifle and make a "hit"?
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Does anyone know if the SRS tracks M1903 Air Service Rifles serial numbers? Can I post a serial number and if the rifle was built as an Air Service rifle and make a "hit"?
I don't know for sure, but here are my thoughts.
Any ASRs that survived in that configuration at the end of WW I, were most likely subjected to re-inspection & refurbishment after the War. As a consequence, due to rapid technological advancements with machine guns and their application to aircraft, most all ASRs were rebuilt as a standard service rifles for inventory in armories. Therefore, very few, if any, existed for subsequent sale.
DW
Any existing ASR would most likely have been purloined at some point. Mind you many 1903's were purloined, as evidenced by many examples of rifles that weren't sold in the configuration they are in presently.
There are no Air Service Rifles listed as such in SRS.
Jim
Jim, Look again, there are only three listed. See belowQuote:
Originally Posted by Jim Tarleton
860651 05 18PROOF TESTED
860725AIR 012992SA SPAR 3988
860825 05 18PROOF TESTED
860881 052018DEEP BULLET SEAT TEST
860921 010520RECEIVER SCRAPPED - C&R RIFLE
860924AIR 012992SA SPAR 1060
862054 050433NY STATE ARS GOVS ISLAND
862069AIR 012992SA SPAR 1061
862108 060618RECEIVER BATTLE SIGHT TEST
from what i read, most were in the 1918 serial number range. and had star gauged barrels.
i belive RIA made a few as well, and has one on display at the museum.
By gosh, I searched for "Service" and missed them.:bash: Thanks for the correction.:beerchug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Da CSP 1903shooter
Jim
The three listed are in the Springfield Armory Museum Collection. They're also mentioned and described in Brophy.
I have the serial number and information on an Air Service rifle in a private collection. And it's in that same serial range.
J.B.