Springfield Armory M1903 WWII Production
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wayne10
Data wanted. Springfield Arsenal manufactured a sizeable amount of newly made 1903's during WW2. They had all milled SA parts, usually 1942 SA barrel, SA manufactured Bolt. semi pistol grip (scant) stock with GAW cartouche.
The guns are original SA made with high number receiver (not the Remington overhauls with some stamped parts and overhaul cartouches). Many have been sporterized or made "correct" by collectors using unmarked or older vintage bolts, straight stocks etc.
I will be publishing numbers, cartouches, and special bolt markings. Please let me know if you have one with the GAW cartouche and the other WW2 milled parts. Wayne
Wayne,
The rifles you describe are listed in the Springfield Armory 1944 and 1945 annual reports as overhauls. I have seen many dozens of them at the CMP and that's exactly what they are. They are assembled from mixed assorted parts. They are not newly made. And they are not necessarily fitted with scant stocks. Serial numbers run all over the spectrum.
My data show that Springfield Armory couldn't have assembled new rifles during that period even if they had wanted to. They had no receivers and most parts of the M1903 rifle were no longer in production (except by spare parts contractors).
If you wish to explore this subject further, please e-mail me at jvbeard(at)knology.net. (use the "at" symbol).
Thanks!
John Beard