Grooved -vs- Non Goved Milled Lower Barrel Bands (Springfield 1903)

[m1903rifle]

Been awhile since I've been on the forum (803 Unread Posts long) went back to school and its been eating up my play time.

Anyhow, I was wondering around the old books on the 1903 and noticed that these show 1903, and 1903A1 rifles feature *milled* lower barrel bands with a grove (Privates Manual, Dated 1910, Chapter VI, pg 100 and on page 50, TM 9-1270, 20 Jan 1944)

At what point in time did they start using *milled* solid lower bands?

Hope everyone is having a wonderful New Year so far!

They never did. The M1903A3 bands were with out the grooves, but were stamped....not milled.

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[usabaker]

They never did. The M1903A3 bands were without the grooves but were stamped....not milled.

Really? What got me curious I just before Christmas I was looking at a buddies 1903A1 and his band is milled bands with no groove; when I told him I'd never seen smooth milled bands, he had no clue either. So I'm guessing he's got an Enfield Lower Band? or something else on his rifle.

m1903rifle Thank you for the info (he's not going to be happy when I tell him, the rifle is his baby)