1920 dating M1903 National Match rifle

[Promo]

Looking forward to opinions on this rifle

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Salt Flat]

Promo, My opinion: That is one of the finest condition 03''s I have ever seen. Beautiful crisp stock! Salt Flat

[Rick the Librarian]

Alkthough I see some wear, I see a possibility that it may be a National Match M1903

[Chuckindenver]

nice...only issue i see? its not in my stable..very sweet

[Roadkingtrax]

Is it one of these? Need the SN to check though...


1181052 072539usmc - san diego
1181142nm 061021peters ctge co
1181244 100534porto rico ng
1181266nm 061020wcc olympic games ammo test
1181315 033120manufactured
1181347 050433ny state ars govs island
1181363 090921to inf bd (imp bolt & trigger)
1181430nm 061021peters ctge co
1181481 071039usmc - sea girt
1181495nm 022339h a weymouth
1181664 073031usmc - parris island
1181770nm 070928usmc r&p team (shipped from sa)
1181876 032426apg to sa
1181903 100328182nd inf mass ng (nm bbl)

[Calif-Steve]

Rick: Was SA building NM's during the Mark 1 production run? Stock looks new/near mint, can't say the same about the metal.

[Rick the Librarian]

They started building NM rifles in 1919. IIRC both they and RIA built NM rifles that year. Therefore, there were NM rifles manufactured in 1920. I have 1919 NM, Springfield # 1,092,290.

In looking at the rifle above, the receiver, rear sight, follower and bolt all look NM; I can't really tell about the left "raceway". It should be polished, as well.

IIRC, this was before either the barrels were marked with a Star Gauge "turtle" on the crown or the bolt was etched with the serial number.

[Promo]

Serial is 1.181.46X, therefore no SRS hit. Bolt raceways are polished, pictures only show it badly and they have minor pittings. The barrel however is S14 star gauge marked in front of the rear sight base since this is a pre star gauge rifle (afaik they started this 1921).

John Beard has already seen pictures of it, and he liked it (might be a good place, thanks again John for helping me with my tons of questions!)

[Rick the Librarian]

They started building NM rifles in 1919.

I didn't state that very well. What I meant to say was they started building NM rifles again after the First World War. NM rifles were built for a number of years before World War I.

[John Beard]

Serial is 1.181.46X, therefore no SRS hit. Bolt raceways are polished, pictures only show it badly and they have minor pittings. The barrel however is S14 star gauge marked in front of the rear sight base since this is a pre star gauge rifle (afaik they started this 1921).

John Beard has already seen pictures of it, and he liked it (might be a good place, thanks again John for helping me with my tons of questions!)

You're very welcome!

The rifle is indeed a splendid original 1920 NM rifle. I could point out many numerous features about it, but will refrain from doing so. The S 14 marking on the barrel is the steel lot code, not a star gauge record number. And you are correct. The practice of placing star gauge markings and numbers on barrels didn't start until 1921. But, that doesn't mean your rifle is any less a NM rifle. The barrel was still star gauged, even if it wasn't marked.

Thanks for the additional pictures!

J.B.

p.s.,

The first original-production National Match rifles were made in 1910. But, the Army wasn't authorized to sell NM rifles until 1921. Nevertheless, a few pre-WWI NM rifles managed to sneak out, but they are very scarce.