Need 1903 Springfield info

[Guy JR]

Just added a new rifle to my collection. Older gentleman neighbor sold it to me but he could not provide any info about rifle other than it was bought for only a few $ many years ago. Barrel is stamped 5-32 under flaming bomb. All other Springfields I have seen have had a straight grip stock, but this one has a slight pistol grip. All numbers match and the gun seems to be in excelent shape except for some finish wear on bolt. Someone told me some old Springfields were unsafe to shoot, is this one? This is my first U.S. military rifle and have very limited experiance with them so i decided this is a good place to start. Any info on exactly what this is and a possible value would be great,(not for sale, have become very good at buying rifles but havent learned how to sell yet!). Thanks for your time, I will try to figure out how to take better pictures soon.

Information

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[Badger]

Congratulations ...

Nice looking old girl...

With thanks to Claven2, you'll find an entry in the United States - Milsurp Knowledge Library (click here)

Model 1903A3 Springfield (Caliber .30-06) Rifle (Mfg by Smith Corona in 1943) .... click here

It has some background, as well as a nice photo montage for comparison.

Regards,
Badger

[Badger]

Although we haven't had the time to prepare formal entries in the Knowledge Library, here's a couple of links to photo albums on Model 1903's.

1903 Springfield (Remington - Sept 42)

1903 Springfield (Remington - July 42)

Regards,
Badger

[Milsurp Collector]

Just added a new rifle to my collection. Older gentleman neighbor sold it to me but he could not provide any info about rifle other than it was bought for only a few $ many years ago. Barrel is stamped 5-32 under flaming bomb. All other Springfields I have seen have had a straight grip stock, but this one has a slight pistol grip. All numbers match and the gun seems to be in excelent shape except for some finish wear on bolt. Someone told me some old Springfields were unsafe to shoot, is this one? This is my first U.S. military rifle and have very limited experiance with them so i decided this is a good place to start. Any info on exactly what this is and a possible value would be great,(not for sale, have become very good at buying rifles but havent learned how to sell yet!). Thanks for your time, I will try to figure out how to take better pictures soon.

Your stock is a "scant" stock with a semi-pistol grip. It is one of the USGI M1903 stock types.

I can't read the serial number on your rifle, but if it is under 810000 it is considered a "low-number" Springfield Armory M1903 and it considered unsafe to shoot by most Information On M1903 Receiver Failures

[Claven2]

Looks liek a typical ww2 refurb of a ww1 era 1903 - congrats on that one! Uncommon in Canada

[Stevo]

What does "scant stock" refer to in regards to M1903's? I've always wondered.

[Milsurp Collector]

The "scant" stock came about in late 1941 when the Ordnance wanted to standardize on a pistol-grip stock for all M1903 rifles. There were already many thousands of stock blanks on hand that were sized for the old straight stock. They were not deep enough to get the full pistol grip of the Type C (modified) stock that had been standardized in 1929, so the drawing was modified to allow a "scant" grip to be used. This was the largest grip that could be formed from the old stock blanks. This all occurred before the 1903A3 was standardized, and early "scant" stocks will only fit on a 1903, and will not fit an 03A3. They were made by Springfield in early 1942, and will be marked with a small "s" in the cut-off seat. Scant stocks were made for rebuilds: no "new manufacture" M1903 or 1903A3 rifles ever left the factory in a "scant" stock. There is some question about M1903A4's. 03A4's were supposed to be supplied in the WW II version of the full "C" stock, some may have been provided in scant stocks as-built. AKAIK, Remington did not make the "scant" stocks or the slab-side C stock: those used in 03A4 production were provided from Keystone or American Bowling & Billiard.

[Bigbill]

I got a 1903, with barrel shot out. Anyone know where I can get a new Barrel?

Thanks

B

[Milsurp Collector]

$175 at Sarco *link*