Very Early 1903 Match type rifle with Winchester barrel

[cplstevennorton]

This thing has puzzled me since I got it and about everyone I show it to scratches their head.

It is a four digit 1903 with a Winchester barrel. I thought at first the barrel might be off a commercial Winchester and adapted to the 1903. But I don't think it is. All the winchester barrels I research online have the model number marked on the barrel. This one doesn't. It's an early barrel as it's marked for smokeless powder. And it has timing marks to line up on the 1903 receiver.

The man who owned this rifle was pretty wealthy and a match shooter at about the turn of the century to the 30's. He owned a company that manufactured those big Navy dive helmets. I imagine this was his match rifle probably prior to WWI.

But what do you guys think?



























---------- Post added at 07:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 AM ----------

A couple more.

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

I'm not sure what to make of it, as we discussed, except maybe the barrel was made or modified for the rifle. A very interesting rifle, I'm sure!

[browningautorifle]

Looks like a Winchester Mod 70 barrel from WAAAAAY back in time was fitted up to this action. That could be done...and a Springfield front sight...not that hard to do. Whole thing could have been done around WW1 time? Marbles or Sheard front sight blade and the original stock looks to have been cut back...

[cplstevennorton]

I had thought so too when I first saw it. But when you go back and look at the very first year production model 70, which I think was around 1936, they are marked model 70 on the barrel. And the I've never found one marked for smokeless powder. Someone else had suggested an earlier model, the 54, which started around 1925. But when I go back and even look at their first year productions, they are all marked the model number on the barrel and none were marked smokeless powder.

Also it seems most of the model 70 and 54 barrels were made that were not heavy barrels have a dovetail for a rear sight in the middle of the barrel. This one never had one.

If I had to take a wide a$$ guess, I almost wonder if they sent it into Winchester and Winchester used a barrel blank and fit it to that receiver. They way it has timing marks and how the proof mark is on top dead center makes me think it was made and timed to that receiver. I don't know if Winchester did custom work for people back then, but maybe that might explain it?

But yeah I don't know. I don't think it's a 54 or 70 barrel. It might be some earlier model I'm not aware of? Or maybe something custom made and a one off? This guy was filthy rich, so maybe he paid to have it custom made?

[browningautorifle]

That too could have been done. We've all heard of the special work available at a couple dollars more. Not a big thing for them to accomplish. Barrel blanks would have been there and a simple thing for guys that do it every day...

[supercub]

It is an interesting one. A couple things I see: The bolt appears to be an A3 although it's hard to tell with the pictures. It also looks like a stamped extractor collar. The handle on the bolt looks odd at the bend, not rounded, more sharply angled lines. I'm not up on stocks of that period, but note it doesn't have bolts or pins. Any stampings on that bolt?

John Beard would probably be able to id this one if he comes along.

Kurt

[cplstevennorton]

On the top of the bolt handle is: O 13 And the bottom of the bottom handle is the punch mark and marked: SA.

[browningautorifle]

The stock cartouche is an older one, 1904...can't say about the stock bolts.

[Kenhwind]

Could it be a Winchester Model 1895 barrel?

[browningautorifle]

Model 1895

That's a thought too. They did do that one in .30...