Springfield 1903 s/n 236053

Attachment 132385Attachment 132386Attachment 132387Attachment 132388Attachment 132389Attachment 132390Attachment 132391Attachment 132392Attachment 132393Attachment 132394Attachment 132395I inherited the above when my Dad passed. It was his step fathers deer rifle. It obviously is a self made sporter.From sitting around the poker table at deer camp when I was young, it supposedly was won in a poker game when gramps was in Persia during WW!! and according to the story was a Marine corp match rifle at one point. My goal is to clone it back to something that might pass for military issue to go with the other wood stock battle rifles to pass down to my grandkids Here are the rifle particulars. S/n as above, star gauge barrel, 12/29 with SA bomb, non blued bolt with R5 under the straight handle, Lyman sights front and rear, FS on on safety cut out. I have not taken the stock off to see if it has the appropriate marking for a star gauge barrel. I have purchased a complete scant stock with metal, but and confused as to how to deal with the handguard. There is no barrel mounted sight and the end of the barrel that butts into the reciever has what I assume is some sort of aftermarket sleeve to reduce the transition from barrel to receiver. Will a 1903 a3 handguard be longer to cover the space for the missing barrel sight? it also has the hatcher hole on both the receiver and bolt. Thanks for the help. PS, I have pics I will post as soon as I figure out how.

Here's a tutorial to load pics. https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=28752

Sounds like the rear sight sleeve you speak of at the back of the barrel... We'll see once you post pics.

Thanks Jim, Pics attached.

You would need to put an 03a3 handguard ring on there to put on a 03a3 handguard but I've never seen a sleeve like that before. You could try putting that ring on there and seeing how it fits, but I assume you will have to modify it to make it work.

What a neat rifle with a family connection. :)

Good luck on your build!

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Originally Posted by cplstevennorton

I've never seen a sleeve like that before.

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I'll bet you Steve, that's the remains of the rear sight sleeve turned down. The muzzle markings suggest it's an original barrel, he could look for the transverse pin underneath hidden by the woodwork... I'll bet they just took off the original sight and started grinding things down for esthetics. If you expand the pic you can clearly see the grind marks.

1903 Springfield Rear Sight Complete Remington-1903 RS

Jim, Thanks for the info. If this is the case is this something that can removed by a gunsmith so I can put and original sight and sleeve on?

Here are some pics of bottom of receiver showing vice marks, slot and on receiver what I assume are gunsmith initials. Attachment 132421Attachment 132422Attachment 132419Attachment 132420

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Originally Posted by BigR

I can put and original sight and sleeve on

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If that's the case, yes.

You can see the transverse groove I spoke of. That collar as it now is should come off the barrel. Might need to remove to slip it off.

The initials on the bottom of the receiver are Springfield Armory subinspection marks. The bolt is a Rock Island bolt from the WWI period.

J.B.

Thank you Jim, Steve and JB. Now that I know what I have I am more determined to restore it. Now to find a collar. Seems they are like hens teeth.

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Originally Posted by BigR

Now to find a collar.

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The sight base? Northridge seems to have six. Don't know what went wrong with my other link. 1903 SPRINGFIELD REAR SIGHT ASSEMBLY

Sarco too... 1903 Springfield Rear Sight Sleeve / Collar (around barrel) - SARCO, Inc

Jim, thanks for helping in the research. I saw those when searching but they have rounded bottoms, mine has a flat bottom. When sporterizing the barrel is it possible the gunsmith took off the collar and reversed it so the flat top would be on bottom, allowing the rounded bottom to be cut and machined to make the sporter look nicer.

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Originally Posted by BigR

is it possible the gunsmith took off the collar and reversed it so the flat top would be on bottom, allowing the rounded bottom to be cut and machined to make the sporter look nicer.

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Anything is possible including the gunsmith could have soldered the sleeve on after. Anyway, I saw your ad here for parts, good luck...these guys have everything in their pockets.

Nice family piece. Keep it as is. Understand it is a Low Number rifle and not so hot a shooter. Also it will not look GI with a new stock as you have rear sight holes drilled into the receiver. Enjoy it as -is and have fun. New brass and moderate handloads make it a safe rifle. Good luck.