Strange Stock Modifications to Rem. 1903

[browningautorifle]

like the Rem M1903 I'm picking up this weekend.

We'll expect a picture heavy thread of course...resurrection...

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[ssgross]

likely due to easy availability of pistol-gripped 1903 stocks.

and likely an early 1940's addition of Howe's "modern Gunsmithing", Vol 1. I'll have to check mine, but I think he describes how to add such features to both Krags and 03.

We'll expect a picture heavy thread of course...resurrection..

I keep telling myself I'm done. I have enough, then my heart throbs in a pawn shop and the price is irresistible. If this one needs a new barrel, I may do another USMC A1 clone, and gift to my little brother and start shooting the vintage matches together. He doesn't live far from Camp Perry - and it's been on our todo for a long time. We have USMC service in common, over a decade apart. I suppose the worst case is I pick the best shooter and sell d other.

[ArtPahl]

The guy who did this must have been a Woodworker with a capital "W"! I am not too bad with a checkering tool or an inletting chisel but I sure don't have the tools to cut those square corners with the precision this stock has. I think this stock, if original, would have had some collector interest. It has a boxed CHJ inspectors stamp, the cut-off notch has what looks like a "J", the butt plate has heavy square checkering, and the trap has the groove for a spare striker. I find it interesting, also, that with all the care and precision he put into some areas, he didn't seem to care about others: The trigger guard, for instance, is the roughest I've ever seen! Heavy machining marks and the floor plate is dented and pitted. With all the spare parts available cheap, in those days, why not replace 'em? It's not as though any attempt was made toward originality.

My other wonder--Why? What was the purpose? It certainly wasn't intended as a hunting rifle. And the mods would have disqualified it as a military match rifle. Oh, well; just another mystery.

[browningautorifle]

My other wonder--Why? What was the purpose? It certainly wasn't intended as a hunting rifle.

I'll bet it was though. The iron sights will probably come up perfectly and it should carry at the blended off rear sight. I used to swear by iron until my eyes changed.