picked up a 1903 need some advice

[Tarpon1959]

I have been reading some posts and you all really know the 1903. I picked up a Springfield 1903 that from the serial number puts it as a 1920 build. Serial # 1181449 so it should be a safe shooter. Belonged to me fathers uncle and it was given to him by a friend his in the army. My question is the 3 holes on the receiver, there are two just in front of the bolt handle and one just to the front of the chamber. I guess it is just below the serial number. Attached are photos, marks that I know are DAL on the right side, R just behind the trigger guard, a S on the end of the barrel, with the circle with fire above it with 1-20 below it. The sling is reproduction. the bayonet came with the package, US stamped on one side and 1902 on the other just in front of the hilt. I would like to put a scope on it and need your advice. I have seen the no drill S&K mount any feedback? Was thinking that I wanted to keep it intact.

so there you are, let the advicing begin....

Cheers

Craig

Information

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[Jason60chev]

Craig, The two small holes just forward of the bolt handle are for mounting a Lyman #48 receiver sight. The stock has been trimmed or the sight as well. Appears very professionally done. The larger hole at the forward receiver is a gas escape hole, which is part of the design of the rifle. Have never used the S&K mount. It does mount where the Magazine Cut-off is. I hear it is pretty solid. There are some YuouTube.com videos of it being used with the 1903.Worth a look if you are considering it. Good luck.

[Promo]

Craig, please stop doing any modifications to this rifle. It is in a known serial range for National Match rifles. In fact I own 1.181.463, so only a few digits away from your rifle. And mine is a NM rifle.

Please check if the bolt and the rails are polished, which would indicate it's a NM rifle. The pictures of yours show artificial light, not making it easy to tell if there is polishing or not.

[JGaynor]

The bayonet is a US Krag bayonet but it fits the '03 as well. I believe the fine checkered butt plate is a national match style.

Are there any marks stamped on the muzzle? about 6 o'clock?

[Rick the Librarian]

I couldn't agree more with Promo -- DO NOT drill and tap - it is more than likely a NM rifle. At worst case, it is a original rifle in most cases. As Jim, said, the bayonet is a Krag.

The buttplate is one used on NM rifles of the period, but also service rifles, as well. The "coarse" buttplate looked different.

[Tarpon1959]

See I knew you guys would help... I will take pictures of the bolt and look for markings on the muzzle. so it would be on the bottom of the muzzle opposite side of the markings on the top or at the end of the barrel?

[Rick the Librarian]

If you mean National Match or Star Gauge markings, there are none on the muzzle (that didn't start until 1922.

[henry r]

nice rifle. you basically never see nice springfields for sale over here.

what is going on with the safety? it looks like it has a casting flaw or a crack?

[Tarpon1959]

Here are bolt and receiver pictures... I am not sure about the safety it looks and functions ok. If it was a match rifle what would that mean? How is it different?


Thanks heaps

[13Echo]

The rifle needs a long slide Lyman 48 receiver sight to fill the holes jsut for completness even if it isn't mounted. I don't see anything wrong with the safety. Perhaps I'm just not looking at the right picture.

A very nice rifle.

Jerry Liles