picked up a parts gun...

[hershey]

hi everyone, stumbled into this gun today, i am hoping it has something good going for it, one hope is that i may be able to use some parts off it to make this gun more correct.

new 1903 owner...

new to me gun

Information

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[Neal Myers]

Sorry, no way to sugar coat it: you did not do well.

The rifle has a "low number" receiver, which should be considered UNSAFE TO SHOOT. It does not matter that the original rear sight has been replaced with a commercial sight. The stock has been sporterized, & the handguards lost.

You may be able to use the bolt & trigger group. If the barrel is good & you pay a gunsmith to remove it, it may be usable. We can't tell you more without measurements & close-ups showing details & markings.

Neal

[Salt Flat]

Hershey, I'm not sure everyone understood what you were asking. After I read your post over a couple of times I finally realized there was a link there that shows your Mark I . Hershey, Go to the following website and check to see what the correct bolt markings are for the Mark I http://www.vishooter.net/m1903.html A finger groove stock or even a straight grip stock without finger grooves would look better on the Mark I than the scant. Has the barrel on the parts gun been shortened and how is the bore? What are the markings on the bolt and is it swept back or straight? It's hard to say if the parts rifle was a good deal or not ---- I didn't see a how much you paid for it!
Salt Flat

[hershey]

its tough being on the outside of the learning curve, i don't even know where to look for swept back, or what it is. i've been watching for a correct stock for my pederson one, just haven't stepped up yet, some references were made to incorrect bolt and such, and i need to figure out whats what.

the barrel on the parts gun is full length, dated 1918, its safe to use(barrel), but not all that great. i'd have to heat the rear sights to get it off, and with the non matching barrel, i don't see it being worth resurecting, just leave it either a sporter, or watch for a job lot of parts to make it look pretty, but it is pretty much just a wall hanger.

[Salt Flat]

Hershey, Yes, I would just hang onto it and add the right parts if and when you find them. The parts are getting harder to find and more costly though. If as you say, the barrel has not been cut then it could be worth restoring to at least a representative piece. The rear peep sight is most likely screwed on and can be easily removed. The holes could then be plugged. At least the receiver ring has not been messed with. The front sight may be what you were referring to regarding being soldered on and that can be removed with a propane torch and minimal heat. Look for a screw attaching the front sight to the barrel first though. If you can post a closeup picture of the front sight area we can figure out what is needed. I would suggest getting some books on the 1903, “Brophy’s 1903 Springfield Rifles” has been a good one for me. Salt Flat

[Mike D]

Without knowing the price on the sporter, who knows whether it was a good deal or not?

The bolt appears to be swept, but hard to tell from the photos. Look for stamps under the handle and around the safety lug (middle of bolt).

Barrel should measure 24" from where is joins the receiver. It looks short.

The trigger guard is the stamped type used on the M1903A3.

Mike