1903 WW2 Rifles

[wayne10]

Data wanted. Springfield Arsenal manufactured a sizeable amount of newly made 1903's during WW2. They had all milled SA parts, usually 1942 SA barrel, SA manufactured Bolt. semi pistol grip (scant) stock with GAW cartouche.
The guns are original SA made with high number receiver (not the Remington overhauls with some stamped parts and overhaul cartouches). Many have been sporterized or made "correct" by collectors using unmarked or older vintage bolts, straight stocks etc.
I will be publishing numbers, cartouches, and special bolt markings. Please let me know if you have one with the GAW cartouche and the other WW2 milled parts. Wayne

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[Lancebear]

Data wanted. Springfield Arsenal manufactured a sizeable amount of newly made 1903's during WW2. They had all milled SA parts, usually 1942 SA barrel, SA manufactured Bolt. semi pistol grip (scant) stock with GAW cartouche.
The guns are original SA made with high number receiver (not the Remington overhauls with some stamped parts and overhaul cartouches). Many have been sporterized or made "correct" by collectors using unmarked or older vintage bolts, straight stocks etc.
I will be publishing numbers, cartouches, and special bolt markings. Please let me know if you have one with the GAW cartouche and the other WW2 milled parts. Wayne

Hey wayne10,

Think someone has given you some bum information.

Springfield Arsenal manufactured and assembled M1903 rifles from 1903 through 1939. No new rifles after 1939 but I guess rearsenaled rifles after that.

All original SA M1903's would have had milled parts.

Remington and Smith Corona were the only two manufacturers of new M1903 (Remington), M1903A3 and A4 sniper rifles during the WWII years.

Scant stocks were made as field replacement or arsenal replacement stocks. Only new made rifles that left Remington or Smith with scants were sniper rifles.

The early Remington M1903's left the factory with straight grasping groove stocks I think, and later ones and 03A3's with straight stocks, not scants.

Smith Corona only made M1903A3's and I think A4's. All of their A3's would have had straight stocks with no grasping grooves. A4's...some had scant stocks or C stocks.

Don't think scant stocks should have an arsenal cartouche, arsenal rework markings yes. Maybe original sniper scant stocks would have a cartouche, but I am not familiar with sniper rifles.

Do you have a copy of Col. Brophy's "The Springfield 1903 Rifles"? It will help you greatly in your study of "The Great Rifle".

I'm no guru, but think I have this right.

Regards,

Lancebear

[PeteDavis]

There are tons of scant stocks with legit SA/GAW cartouches. I had one w/o the A3 ring. Perhaps John Beard can explain how these stocks came to be inspected by GAW. Were these M1903 overhauls done by SA?

PD

[Johnny Peppers]

Springfield Armory put the same proof marks and acceptance stamps on rebuilds that it did on new production. At one time I had a 1.46 million Springfield with a 1934 barrel in a thick wrist C stock with SA/GAW acceptance marks and P proof.

[Lancebear]

Hey Pete,

Thanks for the info. Don't recall ever seeing a scant stock with a cartouche but I sure so believe you. Have four great '03's, not a single cartouche, plenty of rework marks though. Have two rifles with nice scant stocks. One has no markings whatsoever, the other has a very large Augusta Arsenal marking and proof "P's" from San Antonio.

Pete, do those GAW marked scants also have crossed cannons? Sure J.B. can shed some light.

How the heck are things up in the mountains? Haven't seen photos of your stonework lately.

Death to tyrants and schemers,

Lancebear

[Calif-Steve]

I have 2 '03 (not 03-A3!!) scant stocks but no cartouche marks of any sort. Most scant stocks were '03-A3, so an '03 scant stock is uncommon.

[Lancebear]

Steve,

Have two M1903's sittin' in scant stocks. Can you post photos to show the difference between a scant cut for an '03 and one cut for an A3, something about the A3 ring? '03 scant won't fit on an A3, but an A3 will fit on both...that right?

Ya' got me thinkin'. Will break the two rifles down tomorrow and take photos of the inside of the stocks and post if I have time.

Lancebear

[Calif-Steve]

No photos needed. The 03-A3 has a very obvious cut-out in the stock for the handguard ring. The 03 lacks said cut-out. Very easy to see when looking at the serial number from the top of the rifle. The handguard ring sits in the cut-out.

[Lancebear]

Steve,

Broke a nice '03 apart tonight with a Scant stock. Took some photos. Looks like it is an M1903 scant stock.

Not a fan of scant stocks but this one is mighty nice. Matter of fact, the stock is what attracted me to the rifle at a local show.

AAG rearsenal, but the stock is untouched, no sanding, no scraping. Great grain and patina.

Will post photos tomorrow evening.

Lancebear

[PeteDavis]

Yep, there are crossed cannons on the ones I have seen, below the SA GAW marks.

Here's a chimney I finished solo on 6-6-09. One helper on the ground. 23' and 80" wide at base. Since the date was matched, I dedicated it to all allied participants in OVERLORD 1944.

PD