Is your M1903 Springfield Serial Number Here?

[Col. Colt]

Just thought I would take a shot in the dark and list the serial numbers of M1903s used by a Missouri National Guardsman, from 1928 thru 1932, in case you might have one of them.

The "Citizen Soldier" was a Private (later Corporal) Hugh C. Foster, of the 110th Engineers (C), Missour National Guard. This is a collection of his "Individual Score Book" for "The Rifle", produced under "Training Regulations 150-15" (US Government Printing Office, dates from 1922 to 1926.), with qualifying and practice scores for each year. Range Locations listed are "Camp Clark, Nevada, MO" and "Club - Kansas City" and "Country Club Range".

The Serial Numbers are:

445791 1928 - 1st score book
882956 195642 1928 - 2nd score book (both in same score book)
29415 1928 - August, Camp Clark 3rd score book
864357 1930 - July, Camp Clark 4th score book (no entries - just cover)
1089035 1931 - May, Club Kansas City, Company "C"
927062 1931 - August, Camp Clark ("rifle condemed exp. of camp")
505571 1932 - Camp Clark

635491 Different Person - H. Rorabaugh "U.S. Marine Corps Score Book"

Have fun!

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

That 1,089,000 range rifle, if not a Mark I, might have been a NM.

[Col. Colt]

An additional note - since most of the dates listed in the score books are in August (summer) of each year, usually during the same week of each year, this must have been when the Missouri National Guard had their training camp, at least for the 110th Combat Engineers. I know the 110th went to France during WWI, I don't know about their WWII history yet. I bought the Score Books as a set, included with a paperbound 1903 Springfield Manual, dated 1918. Also, the ammunition listed on most of the pages was "18", which I take to mean 1918 issue Ball.

Cpl. Foster showed a notable improvement in his marksmanship the last two years. Another thing that was noted was the very noticable difference in the zeros required of the different M1903 rifles. Some required 50 yards more elevation (say 250 when shooting at 200) to hit correctly, and of course the windage required varied on each rifle as well. I will study further and see if any more info becomes obvious. CC

[Rick the Librarian]

According to Shelby Stanton's "Order of Battle; World War II", the 110th was inducted with the rest of the 35th Division, of which it was a part, in late 1940. Part of it was redesignated the 110th Enginner Combat Battalion in early 1942; the rest was designated the 132nd Combat Engineer Battalion at the same time. The 110th was split off from the 35th in early 1943 and served in the Pacific at Attu and the Philippines, ending up at Okinawa when the war ended. The 132nd was also split off and served in the Pacific in Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines and Okinawa. The narrative doesn't tell what larger unit (if any) the two battalions were assigned.

[Col. Colt]

What years were the "Low Numbered" rifles withdrawn from Service?

At least four of these are low numbers, unless three of them are Rock Island built recievers. The 29,415 rifle had to be a low number reciever, didn't it? And using WWI 1918 Ball ammo! CC

[eb2151]

What years were the "Low Numbered" rifles withdrawn from Service?
Depends how far down the replacement list you were.
Depends on your Branch of service and your Duty Station.
Respectfully
Ed byrns

[Rick the Librarian]

At least at Springfield Armory, from 1927 to 1941, if a M1903 was sent in for overhaul, the low numbered receiver was scrapped.

[Chuckindenver]

445791 i belive may be an RIA

[Col. Colt]

I just checked online, and Camp Clark is STILL an active National Guard Base/Training Center, with "6 rifle ranges"! Apparently they just destroyed about 60 of the old, 1920's buildings to make room for new construction, but they did keep a few of the original structures for historical purposes. During WWII it was also used as a POW Camp. Interesting that it is still in use, in a new Century, by the Guard. CC

[Rick the Librarian]

445791 i belive may be an RIA

Chuck, the highest verified RIA serial number was 430,742. There were a couple of 445,000 range that were either misstamps, fakes, or misprints.