Inherited a 1903.. A National Match? (Anyone with access to SRS?)

[wik]

This rifle has been around on my Mom's side of the family for a long time. It was my great uncle's, then passed onto my uncle, and now it has been passed onto me. I am a Garand guy and admittedly don't know a whole lot about 1903's. The rifle's finish isn't perfect. There are a few small scratches and some pitting. However, the barrel is superb. It has very crisp rifling and a bright, shiny bore. When I got it I figured it was just a sporterized 1903. Then I started doing a little research.

Serial number: 1295073

- 7 - 1928 Springfield barrel which is correct.
-Star marked on muzzle in 6 o'clock position
-Pencil engraved bolt matching receiver serial number, also stamped J5
-Lyman sight marked Patent July 7-1911
-Polished bolt

Unfortunately it doesn't have the original stock as far as I know. I was really hoping somebody could tell me more about it or do a SRS search on the serial number. Thanks!

Pictures:

Information

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[Promo]

1295073SPT 020129DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

Congratulations on this rifle!

[wik]

Thanks! Could you elaborate a little more on what the above means? I'll never sell it, but will be passing it on in a few decades. I'd like to know as much about it as possible!

Also, is the stock on the rifle correct?

Thanks!

[Rick the Librarian]

Springfield Armory, in the 1920s and early 1930s made and sold a variant of the M1903 called the NRA Sporter. It used the M1903 action and barrel, but in a sporter arrangement. They quit selling them in the early 1930s, when it was felt they were competing with commercial designs.

Although I can't tell for sure, it appears your rifle has been modified. It we could see some pictures of the overall rifle, it might be possible to tell.

Here is a picture of an NRA, more or less as it was sold by the DCM (except for name placard):



Here is one I have in the same serial range (1295379). It was modified by Griffin & Howe, probably in the 1930s. You can see that the front sight was modified. I have a feeling your stock is the only part that was modified. One more fact - receivers with serial ranges in the 1,290,000s were made from forgings and receiver blanks from Rock Island.

[Calif-Steve]

NRA Sporter. Preserve it. No steel wool, no sand paper. A real keeper.

[wik]

Rick - Thank you very much for the information. The stock is indeed the only thing that appears to be modified. It was shortened on the fore end a slight bit. The modifications must have been made by a gunsmith right after my great uncle purchased it.

Steve - I am well aware of how to handle collectors firearms, but thanks for the advice. It will never see any abrasive to clean it up and there will be no modifications made. I might fire it occasionally with my Greek HXP, though!

It will be cherished and cared for properly until the time I have the opportunity to pass it on. I'll probably pass it onto my nephew as my uncle and my uncle's uncle has in the past!

If anyone else has anything else they'd like to share about it, I'm very interested.

[JGaynor]

wik, you may wish to contact SRS and advised them you have rifle that's a hit in their database. For a fee they will go back to the original record and provide a copy of th.e original documents. If you are really lucky the purchaser will be your relative.
That would be pretty much iron clad provenance.

Regards.

Jim

[PeteDavis]

What sort of prices do these NRA sporters bring in decent condition? I want one now.

PD

[Rick the Librarian]

Depends on the condition and whether you want one in original condition. Probably in the $1500-2500 range. A "non-name brand" sporter version might be worth less.