Help iding my 1903

[bstuver]

I'm wondering if anyone can help me id this 1903 rifle that was my great grandfathers. I did a sn trace on the action which shows it was a springfield armory manufactured in 1918. It has a circle p on the bottom of the stock, FJA in a box on the left side. On the front of the barrel is S-A and 4-30 with the ordnance mark. sn is 970***. I have posted Pics Also any idea on value?

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[John Beard]

I'm wondering if anyone can help me id this 1903 rifle that was my great grandfathers. I did a sn trace on the action which shows it was a springfield armory manufactured in 1918. It has a circle p on the bottom of the stock, FJA in a box on the left side. On the front of the barrel is S-A and 4-30 with the ordnance mark. sn is 970***. I have posted Pics Also any idea on value?

You've already identified much of what is known about your rifle. As you noted, the receiver was manufactured at Springfield Armory in the latter half of 1918 during WWI. Your rifle may or may not have seen action in France. Perhaps, but probably not.

Your rifle was returned to an arsenal circa 1930, re-barreled, refinished, and re-assembled from mixed parts. During the WWII period, your rifle was again overhauled or repaired by having the stock replaced with a stock from a Remington '03-A3.

And, finally, your grandfather took after your rifle with a saw and a wood rasp and reduced its value from about $600 to about $350, which is its current value.

Hope this helps. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

[PeteDavis]

Whoa!

In Grandfathers defense, he did those home modifications at a time when that rifle was worth less than $50. Thousands of people bought surplus M1903's from various sources from the 1940's through the '70's, and converted them over. And most of the conversions were meat-getter rack grades that were used, not stored as collectibles. And at that time, a hunting rifle was expensive and surplus weapons were a cheap alternative.

As far as the value, the rifle has been rebarrelled, but does not look drilled and tapped. The value is in it's potential for restoration purposes. A stock, and set of bands would restore it to a military-configured '03. Someone might want to do it. With nothing invested, a restoration by you would be worth the time and money. You could sell it in it's current state in the classifieds here for sure.

My 2 c. and Happy Holidays to all.

PD

[John Beard]

Whoa!

In Grandfathers defense, he did those home modifications at a time when that rifle was worth less than $50. Thousands of people bought surplus M1903's from various sources from the 1940's through the '70's, and converted them over. And most of the conversions were meat-getter rack grades that were used, not stored as collectibles. And at that time, a hunting rifle was expensive and surplus weapons were a cheap alternative.

As far as the value, the rifle has been rebarrelled, but does not look drilled and tapped. The value is in it's potential for restoration purposes. A stock, and set of bands would restore it to a military-configured '03. Someone might want to do it. With nothing invested, a restoration by you would be worth the time and money. You could sell it in it's current state in the classifieds here for sure.

My 2 c. and Happy Holidays to all.

PD

With all due respect and with no intent of flaming anyone, what grandfather did was indefensible. All the sawing and hacking did nothing more than lighten the rifle by 2 lbs. at the most. Would you have me believe that grandfather was a backpacker and carried that rifle for many miles through the woods (thereby justifying the weight reduction)? Hardly! He took a nice service rifle and converted it into an ugly duckling on the flimsiest of excuses. I, of course, acknowledge his right to do that. It was his rifle to do with as he pleased.

If grandfather had installed a nice sporter stock, polished and blued the rifle, and installed some nice sporter sights, he could certainly be justified in dressing his rifle up. But the rifle in its current configuration hardly qualifies in that regard. It's a hack job, plain and simple. It substantially de-valued the rifle the day he did it. And it remains de-valued today.

My 2c worth. Happy Holidays!

J.B.

[bstuver]

Thanks for all the information I really do appreciate it. I don't think I will be keeping it, I just don't have the time to work on it nor the money to return it original. I was just trying to get as much information on it as possible. I do know my grandfather was an avid rock hound so I'm guessing that he probably did lighten this for that purpose. Thanks for all your help. Bill

[Rick the Librarian]

Something which I always keep in mind is this: While not justifying the hack job, if your great-grandfather did this during the 1950s or early 1960s, M1903s and other military surplus rifles were extremely plentiful and relatively cheap. There were few collectors who bothered with M1903s - they were considered "work guns". Chopping them down was very common. I still remember an article in "Guns and Ammo" magazine from about 1966 which showed two ways to sporterize M1903s. The "ultra" showed a nice sporter which John described; the other was a "simple" sporterization little better than what your great-grandfather did.

While not liking what was done to many M1903s and other surplus rifles, I try to keep in mind what the times were like, 40+ years ago.

[Chuckindenver]

im looking for a new project, if the price is fair, id be a player on Granddads gun,
and i would bring it back to its original glory.
PM me and let me know what sort of money your asking.