Springfield M1903, manu year 1919, original stock, 1942 barrel?

[Alex.California]

Recently inherited this piece and preparing to clean it up and am researching it the best I can to understand its provenance and characteristics.

From what I understand, it is a Springfield 1903 Mark 1 made in 1919, with original (?) stock (due to original-looking Pederson cutoff and "P" stamp ("12"?), "MRS" cartouche, and replaced barrel (8/1942). As the S/N is >800K, it has the improved heat treatment so if all parts are intact and functional should be fine to shoot. Sight is "M1905" with its 2700yd ladder.

The script on the stock is quite interesting but hard to read. First word looks like "Pedreny", which is a Spanish name, or Pedrerol. Perhaps will become clearer if I clean it correctly.

Any comments, corrections, or additional information are welcome, thanks.

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[browningautorifle]

Nice looking character rifle, we need some simple overall pics too. Not so close... The wording should come out with some TLC and a bit of turps to take the dirt out. Linseed or Tung too... I'd guess it's just a standard rifle that needed a replacement barrel and was done for the last great effort, when in need after all.

[Alex.California]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it certainly seems to have had a long duty life. So turpentine and a rag should do it? I did take more pictures as you mentioned, attached, sorry about the lighting but can see how dark the stock is from decades of dirt and grime so I would think an appropriate cleaning will result in quite a difference. I think I will use linseed oil afterwards.

Thanks,

Alex

[browningautorifle]

So turpentine and a rag should do it

That's certainly a harmless start. You can't hurt it that way. There are many ways all discussed here before. Some use things like citrus strip or acetone, many different things. There should be a long line here soon of suggestions...

[Alex.California]

Yes, I have been reading about all sorts of suggested methods ... as per our other forum that I talked to you on (thanks for helping with this one too!), I used rubbing alcohol but I had just wanted to remove the urethane from that first item, but on this one I may go for the citrus strip as the aim is to remove deep-set oil and grime that is in the finish itself, yet have a chance to retain at least some of the original finish. Acetone or lacquer thinner will probably strip it completely.

A hint for others who want to clean and don't need to refinish, from my experience restoring antique furniture -- a slightly dampened magic eraser will remove most dirt in seconds, revealing the original finish without damaging it. Used this way a couple times on stocks.

[m1903rifle]

That MRS cartouche is a new one on me, but it is definitely a MK1 stock. I can't tell if the cut off is the MK1 style from your pictures.

[Alex.California]

Here is a better picture of the cut-off, thanks:

[m1903rifle]

That is not the cut off. That is the opening for the empty Pederson cartridges to be ejected. The cut off is the piece marked On and OFF.

[Alex.California]

My apologies -- I confused the cut-out of the stock with the cut off -- attached are pics of the cut off, thanks.

[Daan Kemp]

I'm not '03' knowledgeable. Did the cut off on the '03' eventually disappear as being useless?