M1903/05

Printable View

10-20-2015, 05:00 PM
martin08

M1903/05

Since we don't often get to see early Springfields in no-crossbolt stocks, I thought I should post a few pics for your viewing pleasure.

:)

Thanks for looking.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...XhPgboRl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...89ufzZol-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...th85AFul-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Gr8tOpml-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...lynnMyRl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...yjFDSftl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...aEnvYrgl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...zHacZ6kl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ZxCwSsGl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...HQGNbKJl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hH4696wl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...XXQIIxyl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OBotje5l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...NhWH8aHl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...uCbWjLLl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...xAn2Djul-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gL6DCfRl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...C0bw4vHl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...YFPCRAfl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...h1DVmw5l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...4zQ5LySl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...yw0WvRSl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9IqKC0fl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DYULgoul-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DziUvfOl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9Ez60ncl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...UyVOG8Ml-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hb82Maml-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...t5MMI3ml-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...XhPgboRl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...89ufzZol-1.jpg
10-20-2015, 05:07 PM
Promo

Very nice! Is it already in .30-06, or one of those still in .30-03?
10-20-2015, 05:27 PM
browningautorifle

I always like the script on the early ones, it looked like artwork.
10-20-2015, 05:30 PM
Fred G.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Promo

Very nice! Is it already in .30-06, or one of those still in .30-03?

It appears to have been converted from 30-03 to 30-06.
Beautiful rifle!! I like it! Thanks for sharing!!
10-20-2015, 05:52 PM
martin08

Thank you.

Yes, it is converted to .30-06. The bore measures 24", even. The pictures of the nose of the stock under the front band will reveal a wooden plug for the former location of the band retaining bolt. When it was still chambered for .30-03, the bore would have measured 24.2".
10-20-2015, 07:04 PM
LJUTIC

Very nice rifle, should the shank on the swivel be split?
10-20-2015, 07:27 PM
Fred G.

I don't believe so on the earliest 1903's. The split came later and then afterwards, the solid swivel returned. This one appears right as rain to me.
10-20-2015, 09:04 PM
Rick the Librarian

Gun porn in the truest sense! Nice rifle (and photos!).
10-20-2015, 10:26 PM
LJUTIC

The reason I asked about the split swivel was that there is a 4 digit 1903 Springfield on gunbroker that was arsenal rebarreled to 30-06 in 1905 when they changed the barrel and this one has a split swivel.
10-20-2015, 11:31 PM
Fred G.

Well, swivels, like bolts and other parts could certainly get switched around easily enough.
10-21-2015, 08:41 AM
RCS

6 Attachment(s)

early 1903's

Here are some photos of SA serial number 160963 with a SA 2-07 dated barrel, not a conversion, just very early productionAttachment 66658 Attachment 66659 Attachment 66660 Attachment 66661 Attachment 66662 Attachment 66663
10-21-2015, 09:14 AM
martin08

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCS

Here are some photos of SA serial number 160963 with a SA 2-07 dated barrel, not a conversion, just very early production

Interesting, to still have the open bottom rear sight base and corresponding stock inletting. Very nice.

I actually have two early Springfield examples with 1905 serial number receivers and shortened SA-05-A barrels. But both versions have the solid sleeve rear sight base w/ routed stock.
10-21-2015, 09:31 AM
martin08

My stock has had some unfortunate stamp cancellations - but some things can't be helped. I know that many stocks were butchered in far worse ways.

It is quite easy to see that the inspector's initials, J.F.C. (J.F. Coyle, 1906-1907), are appropriate for the no-crossbolt stock.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...OBotje5l-1.jpg

But what is really bugging me is the name which is stamped on the left side, under the receiver. Civilian owner's name, VFW post name, officer's name, base name, armory name, U.S. Naval vessel name????? It just bugs me that I can't read it.

Perhaps someone has seen a similar stock stamp?

My best guess: T. G. M c L A S ? M ? N

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...NhWH8aHl-1.jpg
10-21-2015, 09:46 AM
RCS

3 Attachment(s)

early Rock Island 1903

this early Rock Island s/n 64145 with RIA 3-07 barrelAttachment 66665 Attachment 66666 Attachment 66667

Note the square end on the rear sight slide
10-23-2015, 02:17 PM
martin08

Oops.

Almost forgot to add the accessories which came with the gun. The bayonet is an M1905 Springfield Armory, dated 1906 w/serial number. Bright blade, blued handle, grips in excellent condition.

The modified M1905 leather scabbard is inspector marked as R.I.A. 1907. F.P.B. These can't be too common!

It also came with a U.S. marked canvas sight/muzzle cover.

Pics, and enjoy.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...hvAJeR2l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Z1Zrc8il-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ujYPJhVl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ulDTxr1l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...KWv3et2l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...fAD1p11l-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...Mgk6j5gl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...qruwpuCl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7a39UCZl-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...W2EymUEl-1.jpg
10-23-2015, 09:37 PM
browningautorifle

You were holding out on us. That's a nice bayonet.
10-23-2015, 10:55 PM
Fred G.

1 Attachment(s)

Rifles with no stock bolts must indeed be Very hard to come by. I don't see them anywhere. There was THIS one though that was given to me as a birthday present back aways. This photo was taken before my wife had it sporterized and slicked up for me. She's real light and easy to handle now!

Attachment 66697
10-23-2015, 11:10 PM
martin08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred G.

Rifles with no stock bolts must indeed be Very hard to come by. I don't see them anywhere. There was THIS one though that was given to me as a birthday present back aways. This photo was taken before my wife had it sporterized and slicked up for me. She's real light and easy to handle now!

Attachment 66697

Ha! You even drilled two holes in the front sight base before you chucked the extra lumber and railroad spike.
10-23-2015, 11:13 PM
Fred G.

:D You Betcha! :thup:
10-24-2015, 12:04 AM
browningautorifle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred G.

sporterized and slicked up

Pretty funny...always like to see that rifle Fred.
10-24-2015, 06:37 PM
Calif-Steve

03

The upper barrel band is marked "H". This is a replacement? Rifle looks very nice.
10-24-2015, 08:29 PM
martin08

H-stamp on band? Probably not original to a 1905 production, but may be correct for a 1908 or later rebuild.
10-25-2015, 08:46 AM
Rick the Librarian

Actually I agree - a likely replacement - the H-marked upper bands didn't appear until @ 1910.