what makes a 1903A1

[John Beard]

The Army considered ANY M1903 rifle mounted in ANY Type C or scant stock as an M1903A1.

Collectors, however, should consider only the following as legitimate M1903A1 rifles:

(1) Any rifle sold by the DCM and listed as an M1903A1 (or fitted with a Type C stock).

(2) Any 1929-40 National Match rifle.

(3) Any M1903 rifle having a serial number between S/N 1490000 and S/N 1536285 and fitted with a Type C stock manufactured at Springfield Armory.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[rice 123]

I read somewhere that when the 03A1 was approved SA still had thousands of Finger groove stocks and the continued to use them until they were gone and because except for DCM sales vary few rifles were being built for the Army there for few if any 03A1s. So without DCM or National match documentation. So should one consider a 1903 in the correct serial number range with the C stock as a original issued 03A1 and pay a premium for it

[Chuckindenver]

The Army considered ANY M1903 rifle mounted in ANY Type C or scant stock as an M1903A1.

Collectors, however, should consider only the following as legitimate M1903A1 rifles:

(1) Any rifle sold by the DCM and listed as an M1903A1 (or fitted with a Type C stock).

(2) Any 1929-40 National Match rifle.

(3) Any M1903 rifle having a serial number between S/N 1490000 and S/N 1536285 and fitted with a Type C stock manufactured at Springfield Armory.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

also..in the list i have the show both NM, NMA1 and NMC..to make this even more confusing.
look at the picture i posted, you can see how they list the rifles sold.

[rice 123]

I guess what I am getting out of this is if you want a collectible 03A1 spend the bucks and get a documented DCM or national match

[Chuckindenver]

couldnt have said it better myself.

12 to 1500 would get a nice real A1.

[John Beard]

I read somewhere that when the 03A1 was approved SA still had thousands of Finger groove stocks and the continued to use them until they were gone and because except for DCM sales vary few rifles were being built for the Army there for few if any 03A1s. So without DCM or National match documentation. So should one consider a 1903 in the correct serial number range with the C stock as a original issued 03A1 and pay a premium for it

From official records through mid-1942, the Army manufactured almost 115,000 M1903A1 service rifles. Few of these rifles, however, were assembled at Springfield Armory. Most were assembled from mixed parts at other arsenals and depots in the Ordnance system. And some were assembled by the Navy and Marine Corps.

Original M1903A1 service rifles are scarce. Most saw heavy service during WWII, were arsenal-overhauled, and re-assembled from mixed parts.

There's also very heavy fakery among M1903A1 service rifles. I just dealt with another one this week.

The best way to get an M1903A1 service rifle is to build one up from original parts using an original barreled receiver. The rifles were originally assembled as parts queens anyway. With a bit of care, you can build one up that's more authentic than a real one!

Hope this helps. Good Luck!

J.B.

[Tom Jackson]

I agree with John Beard. In addition to the M1903A1NM rifles, the DCM sold a few M1903A1 Service rifles (Campbell says 239) which were apparently mostly M1903 rifles with C stocks added by Springfield Armory. I have one of these rifles: serial no. 1213036. The rifle is in service configuration with a "1-21" dated barrel and "J 6" bolt. The rifle has a "SA/SPG" inspected "C" stock. The DCM sales record with the rifle describes it as: "Model1903A1, Service Type, Caliber 30, New". It was sold by the DCM on June 25, 1936. This rifle was originally assembled as a M1903 with "S" stock. However, as far as I am concerned this rifle is a documented M1903A1 service rifle because it left Springfield Armory in M1903A1 configuration.

[John Beard]

I agree with John Beard. In addition to the M1903A1NM rifles, the DCM sold a few M1903A1 Service rifles (Campbell says 239) which were apparently mostly M1903 rifles with C stocks added by Springfield Armory. I have one of these rifles: serial no. 1213036. The rifle is in service configuration with a "1-21" dated barrel and "J 6" bolt. The rifle has a "SA/SPG" inspected "C" stock. The DCM sales record with the rifle describes it as: "Model1903A1, Service Type, Caliber 30, New". It was sold by the DCM on June 25, 1936. This rifle was originally assembled as a M1903 with "S" stock. However, as far as I am concerned this rifle is a documented M1903A1 service rifle because it left Springfield Armory in M1903A1 configuration.

Tom,

Based on sketchy information I have, the stock on your rifle was one of 415 manufactured in 1935 on a special order from the DCM to replace the Type "S" stocks on service rifles in their inventory. The stock was actually manufactured to National Match specifications.

For your info. Thanks for sharing!

J.B.

[Tom Jackson]

John,
Thanks for the additional information. The only markings on the stock, aside from the proof and inspection mark, are "S/5" stamped in the cut-off recess. Campbell idicates that nearly all of the M1903A1 Service rifles were actually M1903s originally manufactured with "S" stocks and subsequently altered. If DCM ordered 415 additional "C" stocks in 1935 there may have been quite a few more M1903A1 Service rifles sold by DCM that Campbell indicates. I know some of the stocks were sold as replacements by DCM - I bought one many years ago. There were some pictures posted of a M1903A1 Service rifle with sales papers on the Culver board some time ago. I have not seen any other documented M1903A1 Service rifles.