CMP Low Number Springfield arrives

[hsr]

I vacillated for a few weeks about ordering a LN Springfield from the latest batch the CMP had, but I eventually sent in an order expecting not to get one given that they only had 217. But low and behold one arrived at my door today.

It has a 638k serial number which puts it in 1917. The barrel is marked SA over 4-18. The bolt is marked NS under the lug with a flaming bomb under the handle which makes is late 1918-1919 RIA. The stock is a finger groove, 2 lug, S stock. It has SA over SPG in a large box behind the rear lug and RIA over FK in a smaller box between the lugs. It has no '03A3 parts that I can see. The complete bolt and rear sight are blued, everything else is parked.

So it looks like a 1930 rebuild from spare parts, but I thought that between the wars LN receivers were not rebuilt(?)

Picture to follow

Information

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[Calif-Steve]

Could have been a 1930's National Guard rifle. Sounds very nice to me.

[hsr]

Now for some pictures as promised;

[hsr]

These are som "problem" areas;

Someone electropenciled some random number on the top of the bolt handle

Now that I think about it I bet this was CMP matching the LN Springfield with Greek return a straight handle bolt

Hatcher hole, that can't be right


I don't know what this cut out is about


'03A3 butt plate


and I don't know what vintage this handguard is



Throat erosion is 2, muzzle wear is 3. If I didn't know better I would be tempted to shoot it, but I do, so I won't

[Kirk]

Very nice! Since it was turned in by a veteran's organization, they could have swapped parts to make it more presentable. Te cut under the bolt handle is not Army work.

[Rick the Librarian]

The bolt may have been inserted at CMP - it is a "Greek" bolt. They etched the last four digits of the rifle's serial number on the top of the bolt handle.

[mannparks]

it looks to me like ya did good.--charles

[Mike D]

That is the nicest LN CMP I've seen. You got lucky! The receiver has USMC characteristics.

The cut-off and buttplate are Rem 03A3 parts.

Kirk - I have a stock with the exact relief cut under the bolt handle. Not Army, but I believe arsenal work. I'd like to know more myself.

Hsr - The Marines shot hell out of that rifle (receiver), and so would I. At least a couple times!

[hsr]

The receiver has USMC characteristics.

Mike: I have looked through all of my references and except to 1 sentence about the Hatcher Hole in Canfield, or references to USMC sniper rifles, I can't find any details about how the Marines modified/updated their 1903s and no pictures. Can you suggest a reference?

Thanks

[Mike D]

Get Canfields' newer book - "An Illustrated Guide to the '03 Springfield Service Rifle". It has a good list, but no photos. Lots of other good photos, though.

There have been lots of photos recently on the forums.