Springfield 1903 - Looking for help to ID what I have

[41magman]

I have very little knowledge about the Springfield 1903 and so I am looking to members of this forum to help identify one. This appears to possibly be an unmodified original 1903. The serial number is 3407XX which according to some serial number references I have seen shows it as being built in 1907. The bolt has an S30 stamped on it. The safety has Ready and Safe. The Mag Well/Trigger Guard has an S stamped in it. The bayonet lug has an H stamped on the bottom. The barrel has SA over the flaming bomb and 05 under it. The stock as J.F.C. in the rectangle in block letters, the circle P and a K under the cutoff. There is also at the rear of the stock on the top before the butt plate K follwed by 13 under it and then 41 under it.

Based on my knowledge of Trapdoors and Garands I am thinking this is an all Springfield manufactured 1903 made in 1907 with a 1905 made barrel.

What do you think? What is this K 13 41 stock marking? Thanks for your help!

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.

[Mike D]

Welcome to the forum!

I believe the serial # dates to 1908.

The '05 barrel was original to a Rod Bayonet rifle chambered in .30-'03. I don't think it is original, but not sure.

The "H" on the upper band means "hardened". It first appeared circa 1910.

The bolt could be original.

Not sure it's 100% original, but it sounds nice. Can you post photos? Mike

[41magman]

Here are some photos of the rifle.

[eb2151]

The 1903 Springfield in the picture is very nice.The stock is an early one bolt, high wood and the top wood is a "no sight plane", very early.
The numbers on the comb "K/13/41" mean Troop "K", "13" Cavalry, Trooper #"41".
The 13 Cav, modified the markings when they were formed putting Troop "K" ahead of "13" Cav marking , which was not the traditional way of marking their rifles.
Troop "K" was deployed from inception in 1901 in the Philippines, Mexican Border war(1916-1917) then to Border watch till being drawn into the 7th Cav in the early 1920's under consolidation.
Where the "stake pin" is located on the front sight would better tell you if the barrel started life as 30/03 barrel or a 30/06 barrel.
Front pins were "Rod Bayonet" barrels,converted to 30/06.
Respectfully submitted
Ed Byrns

[41magman]

Thanks so much for the response and information. I am including a photo of the front sight as well as the rear sight. Any additional information you could provide would be appreciated. Was this military unit Army or Marines? Also, I have seen 1903 with a wide range in values. Would you be willing to estimate where this might fall on the scale?

Thanks much!
Don

[gsimmons]

13th Cavalry was an Army unit, then an armoured unit during WWII.

[eb2151]

The U.S. Cavalry is part of the U.S. Army.
The sight is pinned in the front.
The rear sight is correct for a 30/06 rifle of that time frame.
Value is subjective to both the seller and the buyer, and what motivates them.
Since the serial number is incomplete and the rifle cannot be seen in its entirety,that cannot be answered.
Respectfully
Ed Byrns

[41magman]

OK. Let me see if I understand this correctly. Since having the front sight pinned in the front means that the rifle was originally 30-03 and later converted to 30-06? If this is the case would the original barrel have been re-bored or replaced?

Thanks!
Don

[Mike D]

Don - A new sight system was designed for the M1903 in 1905. This also did away with the rod bayonets. Before many RB rifles could be converted, the caliber was also changed, in 1906. Both conversions were done simultaneously 'til about 1910. On top of that, new rifles were also being made at the same time.

Many '05 dated barrels were RB barrels in stock. New sights were installed and the rear of the barrel was shortened .2". The barrel was re-threaded and re-chambered.

With conversions and new production going on at the same time, could it be possible the converted barrels were put into the production line? Making the barrel original?

[Rick the Librarian]

Large numbers of 05 barrels were converted to 30-06.