1933 SA 1903

[mrandig]

Hi All:

I recently picked up a SA 1903 from an estate auction. I wasn't able to really get a good idea from the seller about what was being sold , but decided to roll the dice anyways. Now that the dice has been rolled, and said rifle is in my paws, what exactly did I get?

I can tell from the S/N (#1428271) the rifle would be from 1933, which would match the barrel.

The stock is in really good shape, but has been sporterized (I hate that). It has only one cartouche which is a barely visible "RA??"; no other markings. I'm not 100% sure that this is the correct stock for the your produced.

I couldn't make out any marks on the bolt body, which has a really chalky black coating (parkerized or paint?). The is a "u" stamp on the front brand. Finally, this has a Marbles rear sight, which I'm assuming is an aftermarket upgrade.

Anybody got any thoughts on this one? Is it worth anything? I was thinking about replacing the stock, rear sights, etc., so it would be closer to factory original.

Thanks in advance

Mark

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[RCS]

You need the 1903 leaf sight (I have two for sale on another forum)

Stock has a rebuild stamp.

If the bore is nice it is worth restoration with a NS bolt and stock, pre WW2 handguard tooAttachment 112129

[martin08]

The barreled receiver is still intact. You have a good building block.

Nothing jumps out as being National Match, but it wouldn't hurt to look at the muzzle crown for a star stamp.

[RCS]

I have a NM 1903 close to your serial number, besides checking the muzzle for the star marking, the barrel has a star gage number and heat lot code. You should check for these marking and a SRS check for additional informationAttachment 112130Attachment 112131Attachment 112132Attachment 112133Attachment 112134

[Herschel]

1903 #1427281 is not on my SRS list. Many authentic NM rifles are not on the list.
The buttplate is not a NM. I believe 1903 NM rifles from the 1930s came with type C
stocks. It would be worthwhile to check for NM features as posters above have
mentioned.

[champ0608]

Quoting John Beard on another 1933 '03 Springfield an individual was asking about some time ago:

"I will answer your question for you. Springfield Armory 1933 and 1934 production was loose barrels and loose receivers which were used to replace barrels and low number receivers turned in for overhaul. Because 1933 and 1934 barrels and receivers were not mated at the time of manufacture, serial numbers and barrel dates can be mismatched by months. In the gunbroker rifle case, the barrel date is mismatched by no more than three months, which is not unusual in the least. I will also mention that, other than a few DCM sales rifles, no National Match rifles were manufactured in 1933, 1934, and 1935."

My personal amateur experience searching for National Match rifles certainly mirrors John's expert knowledge. There was a large batch of NM rifles made in 1932 with 1.40 serial numbers. The early block would have been service rifle configuration, but then production switched largely to sporters. Then until the 1.45 serial numbers, we don't see any real, Springfield produced National Match rifles.

National Match "style" rifles with serial numbers in between do exist as Springfield Armory sold to the public all of the components necessary to build one. I have one such rifle, and the original owner told me the gunsmith of the State Rifle Team built several backup rifles for team member use in the 1930s. Furthermore, its to uncommon to see star gauge barrels with 33 and 34 dates on standard service rifles that show no evidence of having ever been anything other than standard service rifles.

Production of receivers in late 1933 and 1934 was very high. These numbers pop up quite often. They are usually of high quality with nice finishing and sometimes polishing.

Looking at this particular rifle, with that rear sight, the customization of the stock, and the front barrel band, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that's how this rifle started life, when a home gunsmith bought the components and built himself a hunting rifle.

[mrandig]

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate all of your comments.

Based on what I can tell, and everything that I'm learning, this isn't an NM rifle. That said, it's in very good condition overall (bore is shiny, action is tight, barrel hasn't been cut, metal parts are clean, etc.), so I think it just needs to be returned to its original configuration.

FWITW, this rifle only cost $250 in an estate sale, so I don't mind dropping some money on restoring it. Here's what I've got on my "repair" or "replace" list so far.

1. Stock needs to be replaced with a type "S" stock
2. Upper handguard needed
3. Upper band needed
4. Lower band needs replaced
5. Lower band spring needed
6. Rear sight needs to be replaced
7. Front sight blade needs to be replaced
8. Bolt body needs to be replaced with early "NS" type

Any ideas or comments? I'd like to make sure any replacement parts are period correct, with the proper markings, so I don't end up with a "Frankengun". I'm pretty ignorant with these rifles, but getting better by the day, so please be patent as I learn.

Thanks again

Mark

[mrandig]

I thought I had replied to this thread, but don't see it now.

This likely isn't a NM, but I will still restore, as it didn't cost anything, and it's in pretty good shape overall. Here's what I have currently on my parts list:

1. Replace stock with "S" Stock
2. Handguard needed
3. Upper band needed
4. Lower band replace
5. Lower band spring needed
6. Rear sight replace
7. Front sight blade replace
8. Bolt body "NS" needed.

Any other thoughts or ideas? I'd like to keep this as period correct and parts correct as possible.

Thanks in advance. I'm new to 1903s, and all the varieties and flavors, so please bear with me as I learn more.

Mark

[Daan Kemp]

Add up the restore cost and decide. It might be cheaper to buy a complete rifle.

[mrandig]

This was from an estate sale for $225, so I've got a lot of room in my budget. As long as I don't creep over $500 more, I'd be happy.