Is this a real national match Springfield?

I have the opportunity to purchase this rifle. The owner is asking $1600. I will attach some pictures. Is the rifle legit? I posted it on a facebook group and a gentleman suggested that I ask here. The bolt root is nickel steel and has NS stamped on it but the SN isn't electro penciled. The pictures tell some more of the story. I don't have the rifle in my possession at the moment for more pictures... It is possible it may be a parts gun? But the double stamp SA SPG suggests a rebuild? Any input, opinions, insight, potential value would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ngfield1-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ngfield3-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ngfield7-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ngfield2-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ngfield6-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ngfield5-1.jpg

If it is a NM it is not listed in the SRS records:

1422720 05/25/40 61ST CAC
1423620 07/06/40 68TH COAST ART CO

What type buttplate does it have....smooth, finely checkered, or coarse checkering? Are the rails and follower polished?

Has it been refinished? The receiver seems to have fine pitting and it shouldn't look like that...

I have no special knowledge of these rifles, but according to my info. the receiver dates to 1933. NM rifles from 1921 on had a star-gauged barrel that was so marked on the muzzle. So no star gauge marked muzzle = not an NM barrel.
The slightly dinged muzzle crown shown here looks very ordinary.

I wouldn't go by a butt-plate, as that is a simple part to swap.

As Jim pointed out "...it shouldn't look like that." And the body behind the cut-off lever seems to be bent (???) or seriously worn.

It really shouldn't look like that.

As an "03 ignoramus, I shall simply stick to the basic criterion that applies to all old equipment: if the parts haven't worn together, then they wern't born together.

I.e. inconsistent wear patterns = mixture.

Mind you, over here a Model 1903 will fetch 4-figures without any NM pretensions.

The barrel is star gauged.

the butt plate is checkered, more coarsely than on another 1930s springfield that i own. I can't remember is the rails were polished, but i don't think so. I opened the action to look at the bore and i feel if they were polished it would stand out to me. I don't have the rifle in my possession to look.

This 1903 rifle serial number 1,373,022 has a star gaged SA 7-29 dated barrel. Besides the small star gage stamp on the muzzle, there is a heat lot code and star gage (when the bore was gaged) number on the barrel.

Also of interest is part of a letter received from John Beard " Your rifle is indeed a 1931 National Match rifle. It's not listed in the records of the Springfield Research Service because, like most National Match rifles, it was retain in military service and not sold."Attachment 90501Attachment 90502Attachment 90503Attachment 90504Attachment 90505

Front sight has been replaced.

It's been rebarreled. Check the under side of the bolt for serial number too. After removing the bolt from the action simply rotate the extractor and check there, I have one that was numbered there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JT76

The barrel is star gauged.

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OK, that must be what I thought was a ding on the crown!

besides the star gage muzzle stamp and heat lot code there should also be a star gage card number stamped on your barrel (like my photo above)

I noted there are 4 diifferent aspects to sighting through the rear sight RCS thats pretty cool the lower hole when the ladder is vertical what range is that on for?
Like the early No.4 flip up one was good for 300yds and when flipped the other aperture was good for 600yds

When using the ladder or leaf when vertical it is 547 yards. When the USMC #10 peep and USMC front sight are installed the ladder is set for 200 yards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Roadkingtrax

Front sight has been replaced.

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I think you are seeing the sight protector

Quote:

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Originally Posted by m1903rifle

I think you are seeing the sight protector

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I can see that, and the front sight has been replaced. If re-barreled, that's a moot point.

some other things to look for.
a light punch mark on the right side bolt rail, nicely polished bolt, CV marked sear, and or cocking rod. polished sight scale, black pitch on the rear sight base and front sight base,
in any event its a nice rifle and worth every penny of 1600.00
crispy stock