30-03 converted to 30-06

[browningautorifle]

confirm I copied the number on the rifle into my data base correctly

Not your fault. I read it quickly and incorrectly... Love to see it when time comes.

Information

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[Rick the Librarian]

While technically a "rebuild", such rifles you see today in this condition in most cases remained that after their overhaul in 1906-1910 and are considered "original". Obviously, not near the value had the rifle remained in 30-03, but still a very valuable piece of merchandise!!

Pictures, please!!

[browningautorifle]

If you can't manage, them PM me and I'll give you and Email to send me pics, I'll post them...

[whturner13]

I will take you up on that, while I try to learn it myself. I have a few ( 4 to be exact) in my Gallery but It seemed like more luck than purpose.

I have done a superficial inspection of the rifle and compared it with the references I have, and my tentative conclusion is that:
1) The stock and hardware are early, but not rod bayonet early.
2) The rifle itself appears to be original, except for the parts associated with the conversion.
3) The Barrel is 1908 (right in the middle of the conversion years)
4) The sling is old enough it could be "original", but who knows)
There is a bunch of stuff an expert in Springfield 03 -0x might be interested in, I would like to know about, and maybe help out, assuming it is "original"
Again thanks for the offer.
Did you take a look at the 4 Pics I did get online?

Cheers
Warren

[browningautorifle]

I did, the look good...check inbox for PM... Your sling is original for age, but I'd never suggest it was original to THAT rifle...

[whturner13]

I did, the look good...check inbox for PM... Your sling is original for age, but I'd never suggest it was original to THAT rifle...

I suspect that applies to the marriage between the stock and the rifle also: hard to imagine they carefully preserved data on the stock after removal so that it returned to the same specific receiver/new-bbl. Unlike the Brits, who stamp serial numbers on both rifle and stock.

Cheers
Warren

[Rick the Librarian]

I could not see any of the images - I'd suggest emailing them to one of us and letting us post them.

The 1906-1910 rifles as I said earlier, I do not regard as TRUE "rebuilds" - I call them "rebuilt to their original form", which I realize doesn't make a whole lot of sense. They are among my favorite M1903s - I've had 3-4 of them.

The best guide to this type rifle was a small book written by C.S. Ferris and John Beard a number of years ago, which I sincerely wish could get updated and reprinted. Unfortunately, the used copies run anywhere from $100+ to over $600.

[browningautorifle]

Agreed, I looked at your gallery and there's still four, unless they take time to manifest. We'll help if you like. Myself or Rick...

They are among my favorite M1903s

I agree, they resemble an art...

[Rick the Librarian]

From what I can see, definitely one of the 1906-10 overhaul rifles. Like to see more!

[whturner13]

From what I can see, definitely one of the 1906-10 overhaul rifles. Like to see more!

I thank you and Jim for the offer - the pics were an experiment to see how good my photo skills were: the little Canon Point and shoot
seems to work just fine. Won't have to get out my Olympus OMs, lenses, and paraphernalia.
I will have to work on the lighting, the color rendition is dreadful except for the rifle overview shot.
Another problem is shrinking the size to upload requirements. My shot of the Butt Plate and Oiler had had the entire oiler in the photo, but even though the number of bits were OK, part of the photo was cut off.

If you and Jim have any specific parts of the rifle you would like pictured in detail, I will shoot them while I am at it.

Rick - I was reading the Ferris and Beard publication as I was working on this project. Kind of amusing, because one of the things I wanted to get for this rifle was some estimate of value for my collection of militaria. Instead, maybe I need to inventory my books also.

Cheers
Warren