1.4 million Springfield 1903

[pcaru1]

Hi,
I am in the process of restoring a 1.4 million "03" and want to know a few things about correct type parts.

1) It it supposed to have a smooth or fine checkered buttplate?
2) Stamped or milled follower?
3) Cupped or flat sight adjutment screws?
4) C stock?
5) Split type sling swivel?

Any ideas would help in this project. thanks.

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.

[Rick the Librarian]

Keep in mind that most rifles in this range were often made of at least some spare parts - in fact the receivers were mostly made as spare parts:

1) Could be either, but probably checked.

2) Milled - stamped ones weren't used until WWII.

3) Flat windage knob and sight binding screws, but I've seen them with dished ones, as well.

4) Nearly all M1903s of that range had grasping groove stocks until WWII - I will agree a Type C looks more impressive

5) Solid-type sling swivel.

[pcaru1]

Rick,
Thanks for the info. It currently has a smooth buttplate but I like the look of the checkered ones. A bit pricy so until I find the right deal. As far as the follower it has a milled. It has the cupped sight knobs so I guess thats good. Stocks are crazy priced right now so I'm keeping the one I got. It needs a swivel so I'll look for the solid type.
How about the trigger? Grooved i would imagine. it has a smooth right now. And it needs lower band spring. Any thoughts on that?
Thanks for all the info.

[RCS]

I have a 1.47 mil rifle with a SA 9-35 barrel, I have had this rifle for a very long time. The stock is the grasping groove with a smooth buttplate, cartouche is SA SPG, bolt is NS and trigger is grooved. The handguard has a drawing number on top and the receiver is without the Hatcher hole.

[pcaru1]

I hade a grooved trigger and put it on. Here's the progress so far.

[P-07ShortLee]

Rick B. brings up an interesting question, since many spare (left over?) parts were used through the 1930's were any newly assembled 03's fitted with Mk1 stocks? I see them commonly on post WW1 rebuilds.

[RCS]

Your cocking piece looks like it is from the 1903A3, you should be able to find a stock, they are still around !

[Allen Humphrey]

Beautiful rifle. From the pictures I can see a couple of items that you may or may not consider important to your refurbish.

1. Along with the cocking piece mentioned before, the safety shroud looks to be Smith Corona
2. The cut-off lever looks to have an R, indicating Remington construction
3. Kind of hard to see, but the rear sling swivel on the butt looks like it might be from an 03A3, but it is not clear enough to be certain

The good news is that all of those mentioned components are available and affordable. By the way, I am no expert in these matters, so hopefully some other members can confirm or deny my observations.

Have fun!

[pcaru1]

Wow! Didn't even notice some of the little things you guys pointed out.
It is the stamped not milled style rear sling swivel.
Cut off I knew was wrong but it came with the rifle. Searching.
Safety? What makes one different from another? Color? I have some others with different writing?
Striker rod. After comparing to my 600K Springfield I can see the difference in the knurling and style of machining.
Still waiting for a good deal on a C stock but will probably have to spend the money to get the right kind. But the one this one wears cleaned up real nice. Could not even see the cartouches under the dark cruddy finish. Just the rack # stamps ( I assume thats what they are) that are in the buttstock. Thanks a million for the info.

[John Beard]

Rick B. brings up an interesting question, since many spare (left over?) parts were used through the 1930's were any newly assembled 03's fitted with Mk1 stocks? I see them commonly on post WW1 rebuilds.

No. Mark I stocks were not fitted to newly-assembled '03's during the 1930's.

Just about all WWI leftover parts had been used up by 1930.

J.B.