Rarity of Original Pre-WW1 Service Rifles

[Fred G.]

That rifle is just absolutely Pristine! I'm GREEN with Envy!

[rayg]

Attachment 59978Attachment 59979 Wow! That's it, I'm throwing mine away! Ray

[Hercules Powder]

Birds of a feather flock together.

Attachment 59981Attachment 59982Attachment 59983Attachment 59984Attachment 59985Attachment 59986Attachment 59987Attachment 59988Attachment 59989Attachment 59990

[m1903rifle]

You also have a magnificent rifle. Any history with it? The only "story" that I got with mine was that it was sold by Scott Duff. He said that it came out of a museum in PA.Does anyone know who BHM was? I've seen a Hoffer-Thompson with the same cartouche.

[Rick the Librarian]

He was an early inspector at Springfield - to my knowledge, no idea who he was. Brophy has him at Springfield from 1909-1914, but I'm not sure how accurate that is - I'd guess he was inspecting rifles a couple of years earlier.

I've got a rifle (230,477) with his inspection stamp, as well.

[Hercules Powder]

Sorry, no history on the rifle and nothing further on who B.H.M. is than Rick the Librarian posted.

[Rick the Librarian]

My BHM rifle I got in 2006 or 2007. The only "history" was that the seller (a Jouster member) wanted me to post a picture of the rifle with the "Afghan" (you older guys remember THAT, don't you?? )



Here's a picture of the inspection stamp - very faint:

[Fred G.]

My my eyes... I can't focus my eyes! OMG... I can't see anything after looking at that picture...! O...M...G!

[rayg]

My my eyes... I can't focus my eyes! OMG... I can't see anything after looking at that picture...! O...M...G!

What picture? Is there a picture there?

[Rick the Librarian]

I hope this doesn't approach the level of "blasphemy", but the only other rifle that approaches the early M1903 in looks and workmanship is the early Model 1898 Mauser GEW. I admit I don't like that "ski-jump" rear sight, but other than that, also a work of art. Picked up one a year or two ago.