My number three 1903 A3 Springfield

[Stillwater]

On my number 3 Springfield (as in the third 1903 A3 I bought), I remarked that the stock was a "C" stock, that bubba had butchered trying to customize the stock.

It's worse than that...! When I really started looking over the stock, Bubba had tried to sporterize an original 1903 A4 stock.

I hope there is a specially extra warm place in HELL, for people like Bubba...!

I have Joe Poyers book, "THE MODEL 1903 SPRINGFIELD RIFLE." On page 290, there is a mention that some 1903's had Lyman 48C receiver sight and a Lyman number 17 tube sight, installed. My Springfield number 3, has the the Lyman 48S sight and the Lyman 17A tube sight installed on it. Not too original, but pretty close.

So, maybe my complaint about the receiver being drilled and tapped, was a little grumpy on my part. Still, I wish this 1903 had the original Springfield receiver sight and front sight on it, without the two 6-48 D&T holes, on the right side of the receiver.

Two filler screws should be pretty inconspicious... I'll tell the wife about it, and claim the D&T holes as a reason to buy another two or three 1903 A3's... Sound good?

Bill

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

I would have to see in what context Joe Poyer used it in, but I learned to take a lot of the information in Joe Poyer's book with a grain of salt.

[Mike D]

Poyer is commenting on NM, target, M1922's, and what not. If your rifle is an A3, the sights were installed by a former owner. Nice set-up, especially in a C-stock.

[Stillwater]

Poyer is commenting on NM, target, M1922's, and what not. If your rifle is an A3, the sights were installed by a former owner. Nice set-up, especially in a C-stock.

To quote page 290, "The collector may encounter either .22 or .30 caliber rifles with a Lyman 48C sight." The Lyman 17 barrel sight was also used on these rifles.

There were also Lyman 48B sights installed by Springfield Armory, with the Lyman 17 barrel sight.

In order for a 1903 rifle to be original with the Lyman sights, I think it would have to be a Springfield marked rifle. That is, I will think that until it is proven otherwise.

My rifle with the 48S receiver sight and the 17A muzzle sight is obviously a home grown copy by someone, either the last Bubba, or another one before.

The Lyman 17 sight was modified, by Lyman to take replacable inserts and renamed the 17A.

This "C" stock, I have now, is ruined for anything other than a rough looking sporter. However, I have two new, unissued "C" stocks, with new, unissued handguards, coming to me if UPS can make it through this eastern seaboard storm, that is kicking up it's heels now.

Bill

[Mike D]

Hey Bill, if the sporter still has wood past the lower band, I'd be interested, if you plan on getting rid of it.

[Stillwater]

Hey Bill, if the sporter still has wood past the lower band, I'd be interested, if you plan on getting rid of it.

I probably will get rid of it... It's a sporterized "C" stock and you probably wouldn't really like it very much.

When I take it off of the rifle, I'll tell you about it.

Bill