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Hello everyone. I just joined today. I've been collecting military type rifles for about 5 years. Most are easy to research , but last week I bought a Model 1903 Springfield that's been sporterized and has the NRA stamp on magazine plate. barrel is dated 12-15 and serial number is 620954 ... also has the Lyman 48 sight. I found it at an estate auction here in New Hampshire .... any help is greatly appreciate ... Jeff
I'll leave the number search to the ones that have it memorized...and they are here for sure. I usually ended up wrong in my suggestions... I almost had a Springfield Sporter once a few years ago without papers. The price was right for sure because here in Canada they don't get the attention and without papers, they almost get no attention. It went for about $450 CDN and was very nice...got any pics of this one?
By the way, welcome to the forum...
to early to be a NRA sporter
And that's the other problem, taking a chance on them...Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckindenver
Sir, you mixed the terms. The "NRA Sporter" is the Sporter from the 20s, while what you have sounds like a 1903 NRA Sales rifle. Those were usually in military trim, except for the NRA marking on the triggerguard. Your serial number fits in a known block of NRA Sales rifles. If it is possible, restore it with an original stock!
Thank you for the information. My first thought at the estate auction was I could sell the Lyman 48 sight and the beautiful sporter stock and have almost nothing (dollar wise) in the rest. Than buy an original stock and handguard, it also needs a rear sight and sleeve. For now I'm going to leave it as found.
That is a really nice rifle as it sits. I wouldn't change a thing. It appears to be well built and saw lots of honest time in the field.
I would leave it like it is and find another for all that.
I'm not a fan of sporters, but that is beautiful, I wouldn't change a thing. Can we see an overall picture of the rifle?
Do not touch it. High quality sporter, but a low number. Leave it alone.
Thank you, that's good advice. I will leave it as found ... Jeff
Yup, nice rifle. You really can't return that to anything but what it is.
That rifle appears to be the workmanship of a good gunsmith. The makers name may be under the buttplate or in the barrel channel of the stock. There are people who collect these fine custom rifles. This is certainly not a rifle that an amateur assembled with an aftermarket stock. The late Michael Petrov wrote two books about just such custom rifles as this. I have the books. If you find a makers name on it I will be glad to see if it appears in the books.
Here's a couple
Really a good looker. The butt plate, cheek pad, and the recess cut for the cut-off look similar to some James Howe rifles that have been discussed here.
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=54144
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=8827
The pronounced pistol grip and comb drop don't seem to match those examples. Hopefully someone with Mr. Petrov's book can link up some of the features. In the end, it may just be a rifle built by a good gunsmith.
Extremely well made rifle. You should not follow the advise to restore it to a NRA sales rifle, this anyway won't be a NRA sales rifle again. And if I saw it correctly the bolt handle is swept back - so it either had been modified, or already being replaced with a later bolt which then would had been another thing to restore...
This rifle can't be changed back to anything...it is what it now is...
Herschal ... I checked under the barrel and the butt plate, but don't find any name ... There was a few neat parts and cleaning items in the butt stock. extractor, firing pin and a piece marked Marble 30 US ... I'll add a couple pictures of these items .... Thanks for the suggestion. Jeff
'gustav1901' - That is a very handsome sporting rifle built from a 'low number' 1903 Springfield.
I'm guessing your 'part' from the butt-trap, marked "Marble .30", is the "broken-shell extractor", that I have taken the liberty to crop from your photo.
These were manufactured by the Marble's Gun-Sight Company (Gladwin, Michigan) for various calibers in the early 1900s. If the 'Head' separated on a fired cartridge, this tool was used to extract the remains of the cartridge case from the chamber.
(The irony is, in a low number 1903 Springfield, in the event of a 'complete Head-separation', other problems, like a blown up receiver, would be likely)!
Attachment 74897
Yes, that's a separated casing tool. There's a nickle oiler, remnants of a pullthrough, bore brush, new firing pin and extractor...quite a few goodies.
Pet Peeve: Wells have 'casings'. - Rifle and Pistol ammo has 'cartridge cases'.
I cringe every time I hear a media reporter state: "The police recovered shell casings at the scene .....". (What is really meant is "spent cartridge cases - Fired cartridge cases").
Of course, that would require a desire and tradition of getting things right by the Media.
(I live in Fantasy Land)!
BTW - Marble's Gunsight Company was in Gladstone, Michigan, (not Gladwin). I had a 'Senior Moment'.
If you're referring to my calling the tool a separated casing tool, then you'll have to live with it and spare me the correction. It's the name we used in the military, and taught it from the book. What you call things is of no matter to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by butlersrangers
'browningautorifle'/Jim: It is not my intent to offend, attack or to change the subject of the OP. I always enjoy your Posts. My apologies!
I truly was focusing on the Media mutilating Firearms Terms. "Casings" just triggered my rant.
As anyone who studies Arms, Automobiles, or Agricultural Equipment knows, Canadians, The British, and Americans (most U.S. residents) are ... "People separated by a common language" (and lots of Geography).
Your response was informative: Separated Casing Tool = Headless Shell Extractor = Broken Shell Extractor. (Don't you just dislike the term "shell" -LOL).
The correct term depends on Geography and Time. (I bet the French and Germans have some great terms for a 'separated cartridge case' and tools)!
Some relevant photos - 1926 Mable's Catalog and 1882 U.S. Armory instructions.
Attachment 75028Attachment 75027Attachment 75029Attachment 75030
Very nice rifle! The maker had talent. The sight peep looks to be missing the fold down aperture. The screw is there. I think there is one on ebay.
I don't see any obvious traits one the rifle as described by Mr. Petrov in his books.
The small kit in the butt trap leads to think the previous owner was an serious hunter. Well equipped for a week or two of hunting. Just don't see that anymore. Certainly a trait of a bygone era. Very nice find and I would have no issues about hunting with the rifle.