New guy on board...

[Stillwater]

Hello:
I am new to this forum, but not new firearms. Especially not new, at my age.

This December has been good to me and my firearm buying habit. I have always been attracted to the 1903A3 Springfield rifles. I found three Springfields in December... What is a little amazing to me, is that of all the old Springfield rifles that have sporterized, or purchased through the NRA, I hardly ever see one setting in a for sale rack.

The first rifle I bought was a 1903A3 made by Remington. This rifle is still in the cosmoline and still in the original 1960 shipping container. This rifle was shipped from the Pueblo, CO Armory to Tacoma, WA. When the fellow that owned it, passed away, it was brought to California and I bought it the first day it was placed on view in the gun shop. It must have been setting in a closet for fifty years.

I'm looking forward to getting this rifle cleaned up and in shooting condition. There is so much cosmoline slathered on it, that I can't see what condition the rifle is in. What a mess.

The second rifle I bought, is another Remington made 1903A3. This rifle has had the original military "S" style stock sporterized by a GEEK. However, the rifle's metal is untouched and in good condition, so it can be easily restored, with another stock and some minor stock metal parts, to original condition. And that is what is going to happen to it. This rifle only cost me $300.00. I will have an original 1903A3 rifle for the cost of an original stock and some metal stock parts.

The third rifle I bought, is again another Remington built 1903A3. However, this one has been messed with by someone who didn't know what the hell they were doing. There is a Lyman receiver sight installed and a Lyman globe sight installed on the muzzle end of the barrel. The stock looks like it is made from "triple A fancy fence post".

The bottom metal on this rifle is original 1903 Springfield, machined parts.

This third rifle, because of it's sporterized condition, is going to stay a sporter, a sportr that will glitter with class when it's done. I have a great fascination with 1903 Springfield rifles and have wanted one which had been already sporterized, for several years. Sporterizing this third rifle won't be taking a good 1903A3 and butchering it, to sporterize it, because this is already been done. I bought this rifle for the action. I only paid $300.00 for the compete rifle.

I found another 1903A3 in restorable condition. This rifle has been rechambered to 300 Weatherby. This rifle was still wearing it's original military stock and accoutraments. It would take a new barrel and bolt, to restore this rifle. The new bolt, because I would assume the bolt face had to be altered for the 300 Weatherby cartridge.

Now what I need most urgently, is the spanner wrench that fits the two stock reinforcement screws, so I can take the rifles down.

Bill

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[tomwatts]

Hi Bill (I am new here also, and my first post)

Do you need to replace the stock bolts?

Otherwise you really don't need a stock bolt wrench.

Or am I missing something obvious.

Cheers
Tom

[Dad]

There is no need to take the stock bolts off to disassemble the rifle.
Here is a good site with excellent information.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/1903/rif...mble/index.asp

D.

[Allen Humphrey]

Welcome to the forum. No better way to learn than what you are going to do. Take down, clean, repair, and rebuild. You will have fun. As far as the stock bolt go, the guys above are correct for normal take down. Additionally, the end of the threads are typically upset or peened to prevent unintentional loosening. During one rebuild project I did use one old USGI stock that was in pretty good shape except it was obvious that the stock cross bolts were badly corroded. You can remove them by center punching the flat side (opposite the bolt handle) and then drilling thru the head with a bit just slightly bigger than the bolt shank. When the head is free, you can drive the body out from left to right. The bolts are harder than the gates of He!! so I suggest a carbide bit if possible. New cross bolts are readily available. Enjoy!


EDIT: By the way, if you do in fact need the spanner wrench, just get a cheap screwdriver that you can live without and take your dremmel with a cut-off wheel and nibble out a notch in the middle. Keep it simple.

[Rick the Librarian]

Regarding the 3rd rifle, it may have been sporterized back in the 1950s or 1960s. M1903s were very common and relatively cheap. It was very common to sporterize them.

[Stillwater]

Do you need to replace the stock bolts?

Yes, on one stock, the stock bolts, have been sanded down, along with the stock and need to be replaced with undamaged ones.

Bill

---------- Post added at 11:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:07 PM ----------

EDIT: By the way, if you do in fact need the spanner wrench, just get a cheap screwdriver that you can live without and take your dremmel with a cut-off wheel and nibble out a notch in the middle. Keep it simple.

That is a good idea, taking a common screwdriver and modifying it. I'll do that, until I can find a tool originally made for the job.

Way back in my misspent youth, I was a diesel mechanic, I still have my Snap On rollaway, top box, and all of my hand tools. So, I like having a proper tool for the job.

Bill

---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:15 PM ----------

Regarding the 3rd rifle, it may have been sporterized back in the 1950s or 1960s. M1903s were very common and relatively cheap. It was very common to sporterize them.

I used to work in a popular Los Angeles gun shop, whose main business was sporterizing rifles and Colt 1911 handguns. I wish I had a dollar for every great sporterized 1903 Springfield I have seen.

Bill

---------- Post added at 11:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 PM ----------

There is no need to take the stock bolts off to disassemble the rifle.
Here is a good site with excellent information.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/1903/rif...mble/index.asp

D.

I want to restore the rifle to as near to original Springfield condition, as possible.


Bill

[Chuckindenver]

the stock recoil bolts are usually staked in place, removing them will destroy the threads,
unless you have a new set, i wouldnt remove the old ones.

[Rick the Librarian]

Pre-WWII sporterized M1903s are a collecting "interest" all their nown. Michael Petrov has written a very informative book on them. They are probably the only sporterized M1903s whose value approaches that of original unsporterized ones.

[JGaynor]

I'm looking forward to getting this rifle cleaned up and in shooting condition. There is so much cosmoline slathered on it, that I can't see what condition the rifle is in. What a mess.

Welcome aboard. When you get the cosmoline off the rifle will probably be new or at least appear to be new. A lot of 03-A3's were only lightly used or unused. When no longer needed for active operations they were returned to depots for inspection, "cleaning and repair" or an overhaul/rebuild. Rebuilt rifles for all intents and purposes look like new rifles however they may bear markings of the rebuilding.

When you are ready post the s/n, barrel date and some pictures. The members here will be glad to help identify the piece and explain any markings.

Regards,

Jim

[Stillwater]

From the amount of replies, and good advice on this thread, to my first post, I think I am really going to enjoy this Web Site. Thanks to each of you...

Bill