Springfield 1903 Mark 1 - Stampings and Original Finish Coloring?

[John Beard]

I don't know a bunch about US military rifles but they draw my interest due to the history. I am thinking about purchasing a Springfield 1903 Mark 1 rifle with the Petersen cutout. The metal color has a dark green finish that has a slight satin shine. I was curoius if this is correct or is it suppose to have more of a blacker or blue coloring if it is original. What stampings should I be looking for to confirm this is an original rifle? The stock does have a "P" with a circle around it so I believe that means it has been rebuilt. No cartouch stampings or anything else visible. Barrel does have the SA with a date (can't remember) and the flaming bomb. I would like to buy a rifle that has most of the original parts. Rebuilds are okay becuase I know most were sent to the arsenals. I sure would appreciate your help. Thank you for your time.

GPS

Mark I receivers have a glossy black finish. Most remaining metal parts have an olive-grey parkerized finish. Lower bands were niter blue.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[gregs]

I went to take pics today. Below is what I found. Having problems posting pics. Can I send the pics to someones email to help me post them? All metal parts look to be more olive green and a blackish green/grey. This may be a repark job but want to be sure.

Barrell = SA, flaming bomb, 12 - 18 stampings
Reciever = Springfield Armory Model 1903 Mark 1 s/n 1051669
Stock = Circled P stamping behind trigger guard
Trigger Guard = R stamping
Bolt = No stamping underneath. Did not remove the entire bolt from gun the check everything.
Band Around Wood Stock with Screw (not sure what this is called) = U stamping

[gregs]

I think I figured it out. Copy and past the link below in your URL box.

Pictures by gschoenfeld - Photobucket

[Rick the Librarian]

Did you look at the "pointers" I gave you above?

1) "notch" in stock
2) cutoff

Don't see any pictures. The R-marked trigger guard is a replacement - made for a Remington M1903 in WWII.

[gregs]

The stock does have the notch or cutout for the ejection port. I di not understand what you were describing about the cutoff.

[Rick the Librarian]

1. "Normal" M1903 cutoff:



2. "Carved out" cutoff on Mark I:

[gregs]

See additional pictures in the link below. Go to Springfield 1903 in the library. It looks like a carved out cutoff. Probably not a good thing? I would like to know what I have here. A gun worth buying or one that has been rebuilt with misc. parts and refinished? Or one that is period correct and a collector. Thanks.

Pictures by gschoenfeld - Photobucket

[stevekaw]

Your stock, barrel, and cutoff look to be correct for a Mark I. As Rick indicated, the "R"-marked trigger guard is correct for an early M1903 Remington from WWII, but is a relatively rare, desirable part which you could easily sell or trade for a correct trigger guard for a Mark I. Can't tell if your handguard is the correct "high-hump" type or not.

[CptEnglehorn]

nice lookin rifle, stock finger grooves look real sharp, bolt isnt correct nor is the trigger guard, the milled remington trigger guard definatley wouldnt be hard to sell or trade.

[gregs]

Which bolt would I need to make this rifle correct? Are they available?