Id Springfield Sporter

[Augie]

Looking at a sporterized Springfield 03, serial # 1,270,253. Not sure if it is a bubba built sporter or Springfield built. Has a NS marked bolt, no marks on barrel or date. Stock does have 2 circle proof P's on grip, LB in square stamped on left side of stock. Lyman rear sight but does not look like the type that came on NRA sporters, looks like front sight blade has been removed.
I know this is not a lot of information but if you can give me an idea it is much appreciated.

Information

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[Chuckindenver]

is listed on the DCM sales list as a NRA sporter.

[Augie]

Thanks Chuck, Now I need to try to figure out how correct this is. I know the recoil pad is added but in the larger photo I have it looks like the cutout for the original buttplate is still there. With no marks on barrel I am assuming it has been replaced. I just got another picture and it looks like a large gap between barrel and stock at receiver end, is this correct?
Thinking of buying it so any input is appreciated.

[Jim Tarleton]

You appear to have located a genuine NRA Sporter, but the stock looks like a cut down C stock, thus the cartouches. Note the stock is cut for a RSFB, which Sporters did not have. The barrel is an 03 barrel, but may have been shortened for convenience, thus the absence of the "SA, bomb, date" stamp. Probably a very good hunting rifle. You can on ocassion find a Sporter stock on one of the various auctions if you want to replace the C stock.

Jim

[Augie]

Thanks Jim, the barrel appears to be original length, date and flaming bomb may have been polished out when reblued, original front sight base on barrel but blade appears to be missing,
Looks like I could get this for around 550.00, does that seem ok given the replaced stock and other issues?

[Jim Tarleton]

For me, $550 for a genuine Sporter is reasonable, maybe not for others. I paid a lot more for mine and it had a similar C stock conversion and a Hoover (Buhmiller) barrel. I use mine for hunting, as it has a Winchester A5 scope mounted on it (didn't buy it that way). It is a deadly combination, and the scope is very adequate, even in dim light, which was initially a concern of mine.

Jim

[musketshooter]

Here are a couple of pictures of a correct NRA stock. Note the contour of the tip and the steel band retaining pin. I removed to band so it would view better. The stock has a checkering pattern nearly identical to the checkering on the trophy rifles in the Brophy book.

[MJ1]

I think I have a couple of these, whats a ball park value today?

TIA
..MJ..

[Augie]

Thanks again for the input. Couple more questions, as far as the front band does that look correct. The rear sight has screw slot adjustments instead of knobs so I would assume that is not original.
I am leaning toward making the seller an offer but basing my offer on it just being a decent looking sporterized 03.

[m1903rifle]

The barrel has the remains of the hole for the rear sight fixed base pin , so the barrel is probably not the original since they did not have the fixed base. Could this have been bought as an action only?