+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: My new Frankengun

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member sakorick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    02-28-2021 @ 06:43 AM
    Location
    On my farm in North central Missouri
    Age
    78
    Posts
    498
    Real Name
    Rick Scruggs
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 PM

    My new Frankengun

    This 1923 03 started out life as a National Match and went through quite a bit of alterations during it's life. When I got it the stock was a Rock Island and the HG was a post WWII job. It had been parkerized, firing pin knob altered, Lyman receiver sight added and front sight upgraded. I had a real nice scant stock and handguard I had picked up at a flea marked about 15 years ago and it had been sitting in my shop in the barn. So I installed the new old stock(had to cut out he wood for the Lyman) and refinished it. Since I got old and my eyes went bad shooting a standard 03 was near impossible, however, now with the peep and little plastic knob on the front sight, I'm ready to rock and roll! The muzzle gauges at exactly 1 so she has a lot of life in her.











    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.
    Last edited by sakorick; 07-14-2017 at 01:42 PM.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member sakorick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    02-28-2021 @ 06:43 AM
    Location
    On my farm in North central Missouri
    Age
    78
    Posts
    498
    Real Name
    Rick Scruggs
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 PM
    Thread Starter
    Well, I tried to shoot it but the aperture was too small. So I ordered a .095 from apertures and more.....$13. I may try to shoot it in the AM when it isn't so hot...if I do I'll remove the aperture and shoot it through the big hole! I had to apply Kroil to the windage and elevation screws and now they work great. I'm a little confused with the elevation graduations......is there a manual on the Lyman 48?
    Last edited by sakorick; 07-14-2017 at 05:30 PM.

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Deceased May 2nd, 2020 Cosine26's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-18-2020 @ 07:29 PM
    Location
    Cal
    Posts
    506
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:03 PM
    Your firing pin and safety are probably original to the rifle. You have the headless cocking piece and the reversed safety common to your vintage NM rifle. I believe that the 2042 number may be the star gauge number. I do believe that the 1923 barrels had the star gauge mark on the muzzle but John Beardicon can validate this.
    FWIW
    Last edited by Cosine26; 07-14-2017 at 06:01 PM.

  6. Thank You to Cosine26 For This Useful Post:


  7. #4
    Legacy Member sakorick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    02-28-2021 @ 06:43 AM
    Location
    On my farm in North central Missouri
    Age
    78
    Posts
    498
    Real Name
    Rick Scruggs
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Cosine26 View Post
    Your firing pin and safety are probably original to the rifle. You have the headless cocking piece and the reversed safety common to your vintage NM rifle. I believe that the 2042 number may be the star gauge number. I do not believe that the 1923 barrels had the star gauge on the muzzle but John Beardicon can validate this.
    FWIW
    Yes, it's the Star Gauge number. They all had a letter and 1 to 4 numbers. This one has the Letter A (inspector) and his serial number 4024. JB verified it's a NM but we both can't figure out the missing star cartouche on the muzzle. He said the inspector probably just forgot to punch it. Or perhaps this was one of the last ones without the star....who knows. I did not know about the reverse safety and headless cocking piece.....thank you. This is the "newest" NM I own.

  8. #5
    Deceased May 2nd, 2020 Cosine26's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-18-2020 @ 07:29 PM
    Location
    Cal
    Posts
    506
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:03 PM
    The headless cocking piece was first produced in 1921 and became standard in on the 1924 NM rifles. In 1930 the headless cocking piece was discontinued as standard on the NM rifle, but was available until the supply was exhausted. In 1936 the Headless cocking piece was disallowed on the "service rifle" for the National Matches. I believe that the reversed safety came in to being in 1921 at the suggestion of K.K.V. Casey, one of the more famous rifle shots of the 1920's. Incidentally he died from an ingrown toe nail which became infected. I believe that the reversed safety which was introduced on the 1921 NM rifles and was never disallowed.
    I see that your rifle has the Lyman 48S sight instead of the Lyman 48C. The 48S was common on the NRA Sporting type while the NM usually had the 48C.
    FWIW.
    Last edited by Cosine26; 07-14-2017 at 06:22 PM.

  9. Thank You to Cosine26 For This Useful Post:


  10. #6
    Legacy Member sakorick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    02-28-2021 @ 06:43 AM
    Location
    On my farm in North central Missouri
    Age
    78
    Posts
    498
    Real Name
    Rick Scruggs
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Cosine26 View Post
    The headless cocking piece was first produced in 1921 and became standard in on the 1924 NM rifles. In 1930 the headless cocking piece was discontinued as standard on the NM rifle, but was available until the supply was exhausted. In 1936 the Headless cocking piece was disallowed on the "service rifle" for the National Matches. I believe that the reversed safety came in to being in 1921 at the suggestion of K.K.V. Casey, one of the more famous rifle shots of the 1920's. Incidentally he died from an ingrown toe nail which became infected. I believe that the reversed safety which was introduced on the 1921 NM rifles and was never disallowed.
    I see that your rifle has the Lyman 48S sight instead of the Lyman 48C. The 48S was common on the NRA Sporting type while the NM usually had the 48C.
    FWIW.
    Well, it's a Frankengun and nothing surprises me as back in the day, people just had to tinker with things. I live in NC Missouri and I almost never have seen any milsurp that hasn't had a hacksawed barrel in Linn County It's just a pity I can't shoot it at Camp Perry......ptooey!!

  11. #7
    Deceased May 2nd, 2020 Cosine26's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-18-2020 @ 07:29 PM
    Location
    Cal
    Posts
    506
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:03 PM
    Yes but it is a very nice Frankengun.

  12. #8
    Legacy Member Mike D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Last On
    08-29-2024 @ 06:08 AM
    Location
    South Carolina
    Age
    48
    Posts
    825
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 PM
    Nice rifle. I like those early SA scant stocks. The later ones, milled for the A3, don't look right on an '03, to me.

    Mike

  13. #9
    Legacy Member sakorick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Last On
    02-28-2021 @ 06:43 AM
    Location
    On my farm in North central Missouri
    Age
    78
    Posts
    498
    Real Name
    Rick Scruggs
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    07:03 PM
    Thread Starter
    I plan on rubbing in a coat of RLO every other day until the stock keeps from drinking....It sure was dry.

  14. #10
    Deceased May 2nd, 2020 Cosine26's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Last On
    05-18-2020 @ 07:29 PM
    Location
    Cal
    Posts
    506
    Local Date
    10-31-2024
    Local Time
    06:03 PM
    If you could find a good "S" stock you could take it back to it's original configuration. It will never again be an NM M1903, but it will be representative of the type, as the "S" stock was used until 1929. As I understand it you cannot shoot it in vintage matches. With the reversed safety it will not be bad to shoot. When I started match shooting I was using a M1903 with an "S" stock and quite often came away with a bloody nose after being hit by the safety. I was a "stock crawler" as was K.K.V. Casey. I believe that "S" stocks are easier to find than are "C" stocks. I do know how the remainder of the p[arts stack up but the bolt, receiver, and barrel appear to be original.
    FWIW

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts