Nice Springfield 1903 Mark I found in Germany !!

Attachment 29785Attachment 29786Attachment 29787Attachment 29788Attachment 29789Hi All,
To complete my collection of American surplus rifles i was looking for a nice looking Springfield M1903...Here in Belgium this rifle is not easy to find...and is rather expensive !!
Last month i was very lucky,to find a German collector that wanted to sell his 1903 Mark I
According this collector the rifle was unfired and new....he was right i guess !!
Made in 1920....but has a 1/44 RA barrel.I know this is not original,but that does'nt matter because it has to be a shooter...collecting comes second place !!
Want to share some pictures with you all.
Comments are appreciated of course...

Greets to All
Frank (Tugdriver)

Very nice rifle there tugdriver!!!!

There are quite a few rebarreled and "reworked" M1903's on the german market, as well as on our local market. It's one of the guns on my wishlist, they go for inbetween 1400€ and 1600€.

It's been refinished, both the parkerizing and the stock. But nevertheless a great looking rifle. If I may ask, how much did you pay for it?

Congratulations! Your Mark 1 appears to be a very nice piece. The light gray finish is typical of post war refinishes but could also be a commercial Parkerized finish. The stock is a WWII replacement known as a "scant" stock and has been refinished. http://www.vishooter.net/m1903/1903_stockpic.jpg The scant stocks have very good ergonomics and are much better than the S stocks. The scant stocks were made on the same pattern as the C stocks but the blanks they were made from (gov't had ~500,000 blanks for the S stock left over from WWI which they did not want to waste) did not have enough wood for the full pistol grip. Hence the abbreviated pistol grip. Both the bolt and barrel are WWII replacements as well.

Nice looking rifle, Frank! The barrel is from a later M1903A3, and has 2 grooves vs. 4, but they are just as accurate! Thanks for sharing! Mike

Can you post a picture of the magazine cutoff in the "on" position plus a picture from top with the bolt removed to see if Mark I parts are present. Please post a picture of the markings on the bolt handle, it's nearly impossible to read them as the picture is such small.

Congratulations you have a very nice looking Springfield rifle, i hope it brings you many years of happy shooting.

I have a Mk1 but it has the original 1918 barrel, not great but its the original.
I counted up my 03 & 03A3s a few weeks ago and I am up to 10 plus a 1922 M2. I bought an 03 in .22 a while back, they used an 03 receiver, stock, sights, put a 1922 bolt and barrel on to make it look like the 03 model, looks like a new gun.
its interesting but not of any historical value.

awesome...makes me glad we have a few to pick over here in the US, my importer buddy told me that Germany is paying top dollar for 1903 correct barrels...now i see why..
enjoy your new rifle, and welcome to the addiction of collecting and shooting.

Congrats Frank, that's a very nice rifle. Thanks for the photos.

Many thanks to all for the nice compliments i have received !!!
I'll be happy to share some more pictures !!
Especially from to bolt and top of the receiver without bolt !!
Hopefully all Mark I parts are present...?
Comments are appreciated..!!

Greets to all !!
Frank

Hi Frank,

nice pictures !! Almost as good as my new target for Bow Hunting :lol:

Hi Franky boy...

everything under control... by the way I´m looking for a Russian nagant from a friend, whom I can trust. Build 1945, excellent condition and shoots very good - the price actually is 99 euros... let see if he sells it for that price or get better offers...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Old Goatsack

Hi Franky boy...

everything under control... by the way I´m looking for a Russian nagant from a friend, whom I can trust. Build 1945, excellent condition and shoots very good - the price actually is 99 euros... let see if he sells it for that price or get better offers...

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Hi Eric,
Very nice to meet you at the forum !!
Old goatsack...what 's in a name....??
Hope you are luky to get your Mosin fo ra good price !!
Keep me informed,ok !!
Greets,

Frank

Frank,

Please do the picture of the magazine cut-off another time in the "On"-position. Trigger is built back to M1903 specs, bolt is not original to the rifle.

I've attached pictures of my 1918 Mark I rifle, it's RA-P (Raritan Arsenal proofed) in nearly mint condition, including the original Pedersen Device parts marked in the second picture.

Hi Frank,
I to picked up a 1903 Mk1 a few months back. Same deal, not real easy to find in Australia.
Absolutley great metal work, woods a bit howdy doody....but shoots brilliant.
It has a 12-44 HS barrel.
Cost me $500 AUD which beleive me is very cheap...gotta get lucky sometimes I guess.:thup:

Hi Fozzybear !!

Great...!I'm glad you found one aswel !!
I think you have made a good deal....500 AUD is a bargain i guess !!
You where very lucky indeed.
Here in Belgium,they are really hard to find,..in this condition !!
You can easely pay 800 Euro for a beatten up one....?
Then its no problem to pay a little more for a nice one !?
Mine is a shooter...and he looks good.Thats the main reason i bought this
rifle.I know his not matching....but who cares...! As long as he hits the bullseye :lol:
Have fun with your Mk I....!!

Greetings
Good shooting
Frank