Springfield 1903 - Looking for help to ID what I have

[RCS]

It looks like a S stamp on the handguard which would indicate an altered or reduced in total length handguard - very early

[41magman]

I spent a few hours today looking through 3rd Edition of Joe Poyer's 1903 book with the rifle in front of me. This rifle is still looking very correct. Seems to be what is referred to as: 1903 .30-M1903 Knife Bayonet altered to .30M1906 with M1905 Sights (2nd Alteration), Springfield.

Apparently the K marked in the Mag Cut Off area means that that stock was made by Keystone.

Rear sight, slide, drift slide and sight leaf, front sight, "S" stock with the JFC, Type 4 handguard, both barrel bands, type 1 mag cut off, 1st variation bolt, all appear to be correct for a 1908 rifle.

One thing I am a little confused about is the reference to the front sight base being pinned in front or rear. The only pin that is visible is the one holding the sight leaf on. The front of the sight has a slotted screw toward the bottom and the rear has a square hole. Is the screw hiding another pin?

[Phil McGrath]

I know that Keystone made replacement stocks that are stamped with a K in the cut off, I don't think they made replacement stocks with grasping grooves, did they??

[PeteDavis]

That stock is not a Keystone. Nice early 03 conversion. Valuable.

PD

[Rick the Librarian]

I spent a few hours today looking through 3rd Edition of Joe Poyer's 1903 book with the rifle in front of me. This rifle is still looking very correct. Seems to be what is referred to as: 1903 .30-M1903 Knife Bayonet altered to .30M1906 with M1905 Sights (2nd Alteration), Springfield

Poyer's book has numerous errors -- be careful! The "Types" he mentions have no basis in fact - they are his own invention.

To piggyback on what Pete said, Keystone only made WWII replacement stocks - the "K" on your stock is a coincidence.

[41magman]

Maybe the K has more to do with the K stamped in the top of the butt for K company?

[Emri]

Maybe the K has more to do with the K stamped in the top of the butt for K company?

No, the "K" in the magazine cut-off area was a sub-inspector mark applied when the stock was made.

HTH,

Emri