Early/ Late SA 1903 Salvageable? Input Needed.

[Bill Hollinger]

Thanks fellas for the clarification on the serial number range. I wasn't sure whether it was 800000 or 900000.

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[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Thanks fellas for the clarification on the serial number range. I wasn't sure whether it was 800000 or 900000.

Looks as though it is not quite cut and dry. In all likleyhood mine will not be used a great deal but I will "proceede with caution".

[Calif-Steve]

It is a fact that 800,000 is the "magic number" for SA manufacture. The story goes that Springfield found a small pile of unfinished receivers and put them into the production line after the double heat treatment process had started. Mind you Springfield did not destroy any old receivers and did not re-heat the old recievers, either. I have read the small lot was something like 20-30 recievers, but have no idea where that number comes from and frankly I doubt that fact. But Rick is correct that around 750,000 double heat treating had begun and by 780,000 all new production was double heat treated. But, Springfield still had old receivers/raw forgings in the system and they all went into rifle production. At 800,000 Springfield had all of the old receivers out the door. Or, so they thought.