SRS check please

[MPi-KMS-72]

When was this originally sold? at the 1931 National Matches or well after that?


Am I going to be kicking myself for not buying this at the gunshow? I KNOW I could have walked away with it for $2k... Still it is the sort of thing that is out of my league, I am the sort of collector who is content with "representative examples" not higher end stuff like this.

[Steve_NY]

Well if ever a thread would entice me to finally register here, this is the one. That's my rifle!

Been a long time lurker, and I'm finally glad to joing the crowd. I came across this thread earlier today, but had to work late so I just got the chance to sign up.

MPi: Yes, that was me at the Syracuse gunshow. I actually had an offer from a dealer for $2700 which fell through at the last minute. It didn't break my heart though, it was almost a relief that I was going home with it. It really is gorgeous, and I'm torn about selling it (still).

Yes, the two final inspection stamps present their own little mystery, don't they? I was of the impression that the DAL was the final inspection stamp on a 1930 assembled rifle (the steamed-out, yet still legible serial number on the stock) and that it (the DAL) was partially obliterated as part of an overhaul/refinish job the following year, and the stock was used as an original component to assemble this 1931 rifle, which was then inspected and stamped by SPG. BUT now I understand SPG wasn't inspecting until 1936 or a year or two earlier... So I'm wondering if the original build (1930) NEVER MADE IT to final inspection (and thus never received a final inspection stamp), and the DAL was actually the final inspection stamp for this 1931 build. If that's the case, logic would suggest that the SPG stamp came along later, as part of an overhaul in the 1936-1940 era (when Stanley was actually inspecting NM's).

It was interesting to see someone verify that this was a DCM sale gun. Does the listing tell WHEN it was sold through the DCM?

Although I've posted a ton of pictures in the actual auction, I'll try to post a close-up of the two stamps here in a little bit. I'd be glad to post any other pics if they would help.

[Steve_NY]

Here are the three most germane pictures:

[Rick the Librarian]

According to what I found out, the rifle was sold in Sept., 1936 as a National Match M1903A1. As I understand it, S.P. Gibbs (SPG wasn't inspecting rifles until 1937 or 1938.

[MPi-KMS-72]

YES! Thanks for that! I was searching rosters for 1931-1932-1933, I didn't realize it had been sold in 1936.. I just identified the initials, Charles W. Newell from Elmira NY, a member of the NY Civilian team in 1936.
http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/research...eport_1936.pdf pg 72

[Claven2]

So it's likely been re-stocked, huh?

[MPi-KMS-72]

Wait he shot on the same team WITH a William S. Brophy from Yonkers? That surely wasn't the 1903 Springfield book Brophy?

Wait he'd have been too young then, funny though.

Yeah it has probably been restocked or stocked with a used stock? But if it was made ca 1931 and sold September '36 it probably got inspected, gauged, and returned to spec each year it was used?

[Steve_NY]

According to what I found out, the rifle was sold in Sept., 1936 as a National Match M1903A1. As I understand it, S.P. Gibbs (SPG wasn't inspecting rifles until 1937 or 1938.

I'm finding information contrary to this. Tom Findley writes the following on his website regarding Stanley P. Gibbs' tenure as an inspector:

S/N 1,369,761? - 1,548,601 1931? - 1939
This is the stamp of Mr. Stanley P. Gibbs, who worked at Springfield Armory from 1916 to 1951.
He became a small arms inspector in the early 1930's. The exact date is unknown.
The earliest rifle encountered that I know of is in the 1,436,000 range with a barrel date of August, 1933.
I have listed the starting 1931 year number of 1,369,761 as the start of his inspections. If anyone has more accurate information, please send it.


http://www.trfindley.com/pgsnstmps03.html

For what it's worth, Findley states his information is based on three different sources.

If this rifle was sold by the DCM in 1936, I'm willing to wager that it was overhauled prior to that sale and that Stanley P. Gibbs stamped it.

[Steve_NY]

YES! Thanks for that! I was searching rosters for 1931-1932-1933, I didn't realize it had been sold in 1936.. I just identified the initials, Charles W. Newell from Elmira NY, a member of the NY Civilian team in 1936.
http://dmna.ny.gov/historic/research...eport_1936.pdf pg 72

Amazing... I've been searching for info on these initials for nearly a year and wasn't able to find a thing. I hope you don't mind if I use this info. I'm extremely grateful!

[MPi-KMS-72]

Sure feel free to add that info. The only reason I found it was because Rick the Librarian posted the sale date. Withouth that info I'd probably never found the roster for '36 with the guy's name.

Am I seeing 3 inspection stamps and 3 stock serial #s?