A real SRS "duh'!!

[Rick the Librarian]

About three years ago, I found a very nice-looking M1903 with a Type B stock. I looked it up on SRS (you could do it online, at the time), using the serial number 1266614 and found it was sold in 1926 as a Star Gauge rifle, presumably sold as a Sales rifle. I went ahead and sent for the "letter" and later bought the rifle. When I discussed it, I always referred to it as a "Sales" rifle.

A while back, I was doing through my files and found the SRS letter and happened to have the rifle out at the time. I discovered I had apparently transcribed the numbers when looking up the rifle or sending the order into SRS and actually (as you can see below) is s/n 1266164!! That is a National Match!! The rifle was sold in June, 1926.

In addition to the Type B stock, it has, as you can see, a polished J6 bolt, a headless firing pin (cocking piece) and reverse safety. It has the polished raceway and follower rib. The Type B stock does not have an inspection stamp, just a "circle P" proof stamp.

If anybody owns #1266614, I can make you a great deal on a SRS letter!!

I guess one of those "falling into the gutter and coming up with the Russian crown jewels"-moments!!

Information

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[JGaynor]

The afghan protects those......

Don't ever lose it!

Regards,

Jim

[Cosine26]

Hi Rick
Here is a posting that I put on the old Jouster forum. Thought you might find it interesting
M1903 Trivia
Just some trivia for the M1903 Buff. In the 1920’s and early 1930’s the DCM had his own page in the AMERICAN RIFLEMAN. In the January 1, 1927 the following notice appeared on that page:
“CAL .30 Springfield with special stock available.
There is available a U.S. Rifle cal .30 model 1903 (Springfield) with a pistol grip style NB stock. The stock is of the military type with pistol grip and military type fore-end, service type butt and butt-plate. This rifle in appearance, accuracy, and general utility is the equal of the National Match rifle, with the exception that it is equipped with the special stock. The price of the rifle is $45.50, plus $1.34 packing charges. Members of civilian rifle clubs may use this rifle in firing the qualification course for insignia. It may be used in any matches except in those where the rifle is specified ‘Service, as issued.’ This rifle should not be confused with the Springfield Sporter. Anyone desiring one of these rifles should forward the proper remittance to the Director of Civilian Marksmanship.”
Evidently the rifle was not an overwhelming success for in the July issue of the AMERICAN RIFLEMAN on the DCM page the following notice appears:
“NATIONAL MATCH RIFLES
The price of the 1928 National match rifle equipped with the Type B pistol-grip stock, military type has been reduced to $40.50 plus the packing charge of $1.34.
The workmanship and selection of these rifles is in every way equal to any other type of National Match rifles. The receivers of these rifles are drilled and tapped for the Lyman No. 48 sights. There are approximately 40 of these rifles available. Make all remittances payable to the Director of Civilian Marksmanship.”
I have no idea how many were originally assembled. By July 1931 we were well into the Great Depression (wonder what was ‘great’ about it?), so I would wonder how long it took to sell these. Just a bit of trivia.

[Calif-Steve]

A good friend, now deceased, bought his M1903 NM at Perry. He belonged to the Calif. Nation Guard and was a Pvt. at the time. It took him 2 trips to Perry to save enough up to buy a used NM at Perry. I think at the end of the matches the US Army sold the used NM's as service rifles at a reduced price. He kept the rifle all of his life. You must understand that during the Great Depression $40.00 was a lot of money.

[Phrogpilot]

Nice rifle. Great catch...

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Beautiful rifle Rick!

Nice photography too.
(Thanks for not frying my eyeballs with that %$^&# afghan!)