HELP: Springfield WWI 1903

[jal]

Hey everybody! Thanks for helping me out, this is my first post.

I am very interested in buying this Springfield 1903 I found. I have found that it was built sometime in 1918 but I am lead to believe either (1) it was built very early on in the transition of DHT period because it has a few parts that are from late 1917/ early 1918 or (2) it has swapped parts. The serial number is 832xxx and has marked on the barrel (from top down) S.A., flaming bomb, 9-17, and then "A". Below is a picture. What exactly is a swivel shank? I know during this period they switched from split shanks to solid swivel shanks. If I am correct, this rifle has split shanks.

Another thing that caught my eye is the firing pin rod has a pattern I'm not familiar with. Check out the pattern on the knob... any ideas? Im almost positive that is from another rifle. Thank you for your knowledge!

Information

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[m1903rifle]

Rebuilt after WW1 ( the SA/SPG cartouche is from the late 20's early 30's ). The "knob" is a M1903A3 part. The earlier barrel also suggests a rebuild. If the barrel was good, they used it to replace a worn barrel.

[browningautorifle]

The earlier barrel also suggests a rebuild.

Yes, or possibly restored...by a well meaning owner.

[jal]

Rebuilt after WW1 ( the SA/SPG cartouche is from the late 20's early 30's ). The "knob" is a M1903A3 part. The earlier barrel also suggests a rebuild. If the barrel was good, they used it to replace a worn barrel.

Isnt cartouche for its original manufacture? I pulled that from http://m1903.com/isstamps.htm . And I read that the barrels often trailed the reciever manufacutre by about 3-5ish months. Is there any truth to that? If thats the case, then the barrel could be an original. If not, would there be a reason to put an earlier barrel on it during a rebuild? Other than the DAL and SA over SPG marks, there are no other marks on this rifle that are apparent that would suggest a rebuild.

[m1903rifle]

Two cartouches are evidence of a rebuild, with the DAL being the earlier one. Also, I don't think the rifle would have originally come in a DAL marked stock, but he could have been inspecting that early.

[jal]

Two cartouches are evidence of a rebuild, with the DAL being the earlier one. Also, I don't think the rifle would have originally come in a DAL marked stock, but he could have been inspecting that early.

Very interesting. I appreciate your guidance- i just recently have become obsessed with these 1903's. I have found some other 1918 builds with the DAL cartouche but have found close to nothing on who or what it was other than speculation. Further, I understand it is common for 1903's and 03a3's to be rebuilt. Would this suggest it saw action in combat? If not, are there specific tellers that would lead somebody to believe a rifle saw combat. I am super interested in obtaining one that likely saw combat simply for the history, so any information would be helpful.

[Randy A]

Unless there is a recording of serial number to confirm or SRS hit there is no way to tell if it saw combat. Hard to say where it served, could have been a basic training company, National Guard unit or in France, who knows? Your barrel date precedes the serial number on your action by at least 5 months or more, can't tell by xxx. I also have an 832XXX rifle that has a 2-18 barrel. The "A" on your barrel was speculated at one time to mean "acceptable", indicating that it had been through a rebuild and gaged ok. There is a strong probability of that since the low number rifles were to be taken from service when turned in for rebuild. I would guess that when through rebuilt (which your rifle has been at "least" once) the original barrel failed gage and the action got a repurposed LN take-off.

[jal]

Unless there is a recording of serial number to confirm or SRS hit there is no way to tell if it saw combat. Hard to say where it served, could have been a basic training company, National Guard unit or in France, who knows? Your barrel date precedes the serial number on your action by at least 5 months or more, can't tell by xxx. I also have an 832XXX rifle that has a 2-18 barrel. The "A" on your barrel was speculated at one time to mean "acceptable", indicating that it had been through a rebuild and gaged ok. There is a strong probability of that since the low number rifles were to be taken from service when turned in for rebuild. I would guess that when through rebuilt (which your rifle has been at "least" once) the original barrel failed gage and the action got a repurposed LN take-off.

Hi Randy. May I ask what bolt is in your 832xxx? This rifle is 8328xx and when looking at Vi Shooters website on bolt charts, it appears that the rifles that have a SN between 807091-832992 have no information on bolt codes. I attached some pictures, it looks like there is some pitting on the bolt handle. My eyes want to make up a "J" on the handle but I believe that may be just the pitting. I have no clue what that dimple and letter is on the underside of the bolt. On the safety lug there is an S. Would this indicate that this bolt was taken off a rifle from 1909-1912?

[m1903rifle]

Hi Randy. May I ask what bolt is in your 832xxx? This rifle is 8328xx and when looking at Vi Shooters website on bolt charts, it appears that the rifles that have a SN between 807091-832992 have no information on bolt codes. I attached some pictures, it looks like there is some pitting on the bolt handle. My eyes want to make up a "J" on the handle but I believe that may be just the pitting. I have no clue what that dimple and letter is on the underside of the bolt. On the safety lug there is an S. Would this indicate that this bolt was taken off a rifle from 1909-1912?

Yes, that is correct.

[RCS]

You have the early straight bolt, I have an s marked bolt in my SA 160963 rifle.

Also have a SA 1918 rifle serial number 825055 with a barrel dated SA 3-18, stock is D.A.L. cartouched. Receiver has the Hatcher hole and NS bolt. Rifle cam from the CMP years agoAttachment 89843Attachment 89844