1915 Springfield M1903

I had a gentleman email me about a couple of rifles he had and wanted to sell and I asked about buying one of them, a 1915 Springfield. He agreed to sell (the other was a sporterized RIA) With the help of JB, I identified this rifle as not just a nice pre-WWI M1903, but none other than a pre-WWI National Match 1903!!

The rifle arrived a couple of days ago and I was very pleased! It was in very good condition, having most of the original bluing on the rifle. The bolt and chamber were polished, which characterized these early NM M1903s.

The rifle came with some dried grease on the bolt, chamber, and in the bore. An hour or two of cleaning took care of that. The rifle shows very little signs of use - the muzzle erosion on the 5-15 SA barrel is about .75 and the throat erosion is virtually non-existant. The bore (after cleaning) is a mirror!

Some pictures below:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-73.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-74.jpg

(note polished bolt and extractor above)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-75.jpg

(Chamber is also polished)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-76.jpg

(Condition of chamber before cleaning, showing dried grease)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-77.jpg

(Inspection stamp of J. Sumner Adams)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-78.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-79.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-80.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-81.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-82.jpg

(Floorplate and trigger guard show scratches and wear, but bluing is largely intact)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-83.jpg

(Barrel is an SA 5-15)

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tandard-84.jpg

Rick, be careful- you might cut yourself on those grasping grooves!

So glad for you, that's a real treasure my friend. Beautiful rifle!

Anytime you mention NM I want to shoot. In light of the low - high serial number factor would you take this rifle out and shoot it? Keep in mind I was foolish enough to shoot my original 92 krag. That's how much I like shooting my rifles.

Rick,
Thanks for sharing your wonderfull rifle with us. This proves that the good stuff is still out there and waiting to be rescued by knowlegable collectors.
Gary L. Bush

Thanks, guys! I admit that it is almost as much fun to share a new acquisition with my "family" at CSP as getting the rifle, itself. Note, I said almost!!!

:D

sweet little rifle..dont see them that nice very often, thanks for sharing.

The 1915/16 National Match rifles are virtually identical to the 1921 National Match rifles with respect to custom features such as polished bolts and receiver runways, regulated trigger pulls, star-gauged barrels, special stock bedding, special sights, etc. But with their brightly blued and casehardened finish, the 1915/16 rifles are much more attractive than their 1921 counterparts.

J.B.

Nice one Rick. Whats the letter/number stamp on the bolt out of curiousity. Ray

You did good! I can hardly wait to handle and drool on it. You might want to consider turning the garage into a gun room - your safe is full! Another option - move your library out to the garage to make room for another safe! :>)

Congratulations on a wonder find.

Regards

Ox

Can I pet it? :) Congratulations. Who needs to win the lotto? You're getting all the good stuff life has to offer. Happy for you. -v

GREAT SCORE, Rick---

Please don't even THINK of a photo session with this prize on the afghan, OK??? --Jim

Fortunately, the seller wasn't acquainted with my afg**n and didn't make the request that one sadist from CSP did: he would only sell me a rifle if I posted a picture of it mounted with the (you-know-what) in the background!

RayG: The bolt markings are "I7" - technically, according to John's chart, it should be an I5, but I ain't complaining!!

:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rick the Librarian

The bolt markings are "I7" - technically, according to John's chart, it should be an I5, but I ain't complaining!!

:D

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My bolt steel lot code chart is a perpetual work in progress. The next revision will show your rifle bolt's steel lot code with the appropriate extension.

J.B.

That is a great rifle! A pre-WWI NM is a real find.

John, I realize that! I couldn't help "tweaking" you a little over the "incorrect" bolt markings!!

:D

I have a 03 with the serial #660358 with corresponding 6-17 dated bbl that is all correct except the bolt is a bit later also. I'm away from the rifle but if I recall I think the last number is an 8, with a C or J letter. Darn memory.
According to John's list it was made in the first months of 1918, Ray

VeeVee,

You'll soon have your own M1903 to "pet"! :D

Rick; That is a nice rifle.Did you find any numbers on the barrel,I have data on SA #761607 with 10-17 barrel. It has PJ53 stamped on top,I think this could be a Star gauge number.In my SRS book,#605311 is listed as "SG".Lee W.

I haven't had the "moxie" to remove the handguard yet!!

Could someone post John's bolt code site adddress, I'm curious as to what the letter and number is on my bolt. I'll know it when I see it, Ray

RayG,

Here is the link: http://vishooter.home.att.net/m1903.html

VERY nice 03
Just need to talk to Rick about a nice afghan to complete it.:lol:

Thanks Rick, My bolt numer is C-8 and according to John's listing it's a few months later then the rifles serial number of 660358. I'm asuming the rifle was made from June -August if following the norm of the barrel being made 1-3 months earlier then the rifle with the bolt dating to the December plus. And I see it's a double heat treated bolt, Ray