Early/ Late SA 1903 Salvageable? Input Needed.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I picked this up yesterday and the price could not have been better. Here are the details and questions.

Bubbfied Springfield Armory 1903 serial number just north of the 800000 "early production"
with the questionable recirvers marked 1-18 below the flaming bomb on the barrel. Nice patina with no rust or pitting and missing reat sight and front sight protector along with the obvious lack of furniture but the bore looks good..
Questions
1. No visable serial number on the bolt and non matching number on the barrel normal?
2. Does the barrel look to have been bobbed?
3. Opinions on the wisdom of a restoration attempt yes/no?
4.If yes on quetion 3 what stock configuration would be correct?
5. Correct designation 1903/1903 A-1?
6. Tribute sniper to hide the bubba holes?
This my first American milsurp and the lack of inital investment and the avaliability of the missing bits,stock,sight has me leaning towards some degree of a resto and I would appreciate some input from those more experienced and knowageable.

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.

[Jim Tarleton]

Looks like a nice hunter rifle. Resto'ing it would cost a bunch of money. Throw it on the gun rack for some kid that can't afford one.

jt

[Calif-Steve]

Very nice hunting rifle. Leave it alone.

[browningautorifle]

That was kinda my thought. I'd personally like to have it as it is...wanna sell it?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I am a bit torn. While I have not shot it yet it handles nicely but not having an 03 or any US milsurps and having $0 invested makes the decision a bit tougher. I am not a trader/seller son a bit of an overinvestment dosent worry me.
I am new to the 03 forum. "SRS" is that a serial number quirey? If someone has access to a database I would be courious about this one?

[Jim Tarleton]

What is the serial number?

jt

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

What is the serial number?

800556
With a barrel date of 1-18 and number M68075
Thanks!

[awq134]

With the exception of the holes for the scope drilled into the receiver, your rifle looks a lot like mine. I considered bringing her back to life, but after much thought and input from members here, decided to leave it as is and use it as a hunting rifle for the wife... that is, if i can get her to go hunting with me!

[Neal Myers]

Could that be an original 1903A4 bolt? Just can't see it well enough.

Neal

[Mike D]

Could that be an original 1903A4 bolt? Just can't see it well enough.

Neal

No, not original. Any original A4 bolt would be undercut around the safety lug.

I am a bit torn. While I have not shot it yet it handles nicely but not having an 03 or any US milsurps and having $0 invested makes the decision a bit tougher. I am not a trader/seller son a bit of an overinvestment dosent worry me.
I am new to the 03 forum. "SRS" is that a serial number quirey? If someone has access to a database I would be courious about this one?

No hit on SRS.
Given the barrel being full length and having both sight bases, and assuming the bore is in good shape, it is a candidate for restore, only if you do not mind the extra holes. If you have "$0" invested, or very little, feel free to restore. The rear holes on the bridge look out of whack to me, so a scope might not work well.

The most cost efficient way to go, would be to find any full length stock - finger-groove, C-stock, Scant, or any straight-grip non-finger-groove stock, as all would be correct for a rebuild.

A finger-groove stock will give you the most "authentic" look. I have found cheap ones on fleabay for as low as $125 and $80. Of course, these did not have any markings and had been sanded a little. That's what I would look for if you are set on a restore.

'03 handguards are fairly cheap and so is the stock metal you need. You could always get your money back if you parted it out.

Mike