Segley rebuilt M1903's

[jarrodeu]

I read in Campbell’s book that Segley rebuilt some rifles using old M1903 receivers discarded by the Army. It also said that they used some cast parts.
How common are these Segley rebuilt rifles?
Were they ever used by the military?
When were they rebuilt?
Are they any good?

Thanks,
Jarrod

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

They are pretty common. At any given time you can usually find one on Gunbroker or other websites for sale or auction. To my knowledge, they were never used by the military, although IIRC, a few showed up with the Greek M1903s that CMP sold a few years ago.

As they are nearly all built on low-numbered receivers with questionable parts, I would certainly not recommend shooting them.

[jarrodeu]

Thanks for your response.
Other than cast parts, are there other distinguishing features like specific stamps in the stocks?
Are the barrels marked Segley and are they ever marked USMC?

Thanks,
Jarrod

[Rick the Librarian]

The barrels are usually not marked. Supposedly, they were machine barrels or those from other rifles (Winchester 95s are often mentioned). Some of the parts have a S in a circle.

Keep in mind that these rifles were different than those rifles that have Sedgely barrels. Sedgely did supply barrels and certain other parts as replacements during WWII for use by military M1903s. Two types of barrels were used - those marked USMC, which were (at least initially) used by the Marines and those marked with just a "circled S" which were for use by the Army.

[Tom in N.J.]

Sedgley made M1903 type rifles up from low numbered receivers that had been sold off by the Army after WWI. Some even had stocks made by or for them. I have one in my 'parts stash' it has only one cross bolt and that is located in the front bolt position. It uses a M1917 upper band / bayonet stud. Some parts, such as sling swivels and floor plates. were cast from zinc.

[Rick the Librarian]

Sedgely had three "streams" concerning M1903s:

1) They built up or modified a number of very high-class sporters for civilian use. They are very collectible today.

2) They put together a number of "parts guns" consisting of LN receivers, and sometimes M1917, Krag and "other" parts for civilian and private business.

3) They manufactured a number of spare parts, most often seen, barrels, as well as other parts, which were used as replacement parts by the military in WWII.

[Calif-Steve]

Rick, not so sure Sedgley built high-end anything. They bought low number receivers and annealed them in the back of their shop on a small burner. Then re-blued the rifles and sold them for cheap money in the Depression. G&H made only high-end sporters and I believe G&H primarily used high-numbers. I would be very hesitant to use a Sedgley sporter. By the way they are occasionallly found with 2 (!) extractor cuts on their barrels. Long story, but it was salvage effort on the part of Sedgley. They were very competitive in a tough economy and actually made very nice '03 barrels for the USMC and the Army. They did not bother to cater to the carriage trade, instead they made cheap hunting rifles and lasted in business for many years. But do understand, they used low numbers. Take your chances, if you will.

[Calfed]

Rick, not so sure Sedgley built high-end anything. They bought low number receivers and annealed them in the back of their shop on a small burner. Then re-blued the rifles and sold them for cheap money in the Depression. G&H made only high-end sporters and I believe G&H primarily used high-numbers. I would be very hesitant to use a Sedgley sporter. By the way they are occasionallly found with 2 (!) extractor cuts on their barrels. Long story, but it was salvage effort on the part of Sedgley. They were very competitive in a tough economy and actually made very nice '03 barrels for the USMC and the Army. They did not bother to cater to the carriage trade, instead they made cheap hunting rifles and lasted in business for many years. But do understand, they used low numbers. Take your chances, if you will.

Steve, are you sure you aren't mixing Sedgley up with Bannerman? Brophy includes Sedgley with his list of "finer examples of custom gunsmithed '03's".

I know that Sedgley used high number 03's (and low number) because I watched one at auction this weekend.

S# 1021010

[Jim Tarleton]

Rick, not so sure Sedgley built high-end anything. They bought low number receivers and annealed them in the back of their shop on a small burner. Then re-blued the rifles and sold them for cheap money in the Depression. G&H made only high-end sporters and I believe G&H primarily used high-numbers. I would be very hesitant to use a Sedgley sporter. By the way they are occasionallly found with 2 (!) extractor cuts on their barrels. Long story, but it was salvage effort on the part of Sedgley. They were very competitive in a tough economy and actually made very nice '03 barrels for the USMC and the Army. They did not bother to cater to the carriage trade, instead they made cheap hunting rifles and lasted in business for many years. But do understand, they used low numbers. Take your chances, if you will.

G&H also used LN Springfield receivers to build their sporters. They list the Springfield receivers on which they built rifles on their web site. There are a good number of LN receivers listed.

jt

[Rick the Librarian]

Hmmm. Unless, for some reason, I'm getting G&H and Sedgely mixed up... have to check that out.