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  1. #1
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    1903 Unfinished Receiver?

    I bought an Unfinished 1903 receiver. I know little about it and am looking for more info.....

    Here is the sellers description:
    Rare piece for the Springfield 1903 collector. An unfinished receiver.
    Largely complete except for a few areas. Right side not milled to correct dimensions, floor is not milled out for passing cartridges thru the magazine, no serial number, Springfield or Model 1903 markings on the receiver ring. The only markings on the receiver are on the underside in the area where the bottom of the receiver would have been milled away for cartridge loading. That area is marked NS 3. Likely relating to an early batch of Nickel Steel.
    Nickel Steel went into use in 1928. The front ring of the barrel is threaded and cut for an extractor to move into the receiver ring when the bolt would close. The large flat area on the right side may just have been not finished, or perhaps for some design change
    Springfield was attempting.
    Now I have found this that has sold at auction for a fair amount, but have not found anything else (No, I am not getting my hopes up that it is worth a ton, just curious if my piece is of any significance or a paper weight). EXTREMELY RARE M1901 (SECOND TYPE) SPRINGFIELD ARMORY UNFINISHED RECEIVER.

    Attached are the photos. Thank you for the help.
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    Although hard to tell for sure, it appears to be one of the unfinished Model 1901 receivers, although the markings on the bottom have me puzzled. If a M1901, they are not all that rare, although far from common.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rick the Librarianicon View Post
    Although hard to tell for sure, it appears to be one of the unfinished Model 1901 receivers, although the markings on the bottom have me puzzled. If a M1901, they are not all that rare, although far from common.
    Thank you Rick! I am going to update with more clear photos when I receive the item tomorrow. The one thing that kind of throws me is that it is not rounded on the "bridge", it has the raised section like an 03a3 receiver.

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    Contributing Member BEAR's Avatar
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    Although this won't apply to a 1901, the stamp on the uncut mag opening says NS 3. Could it be an unfinished nickle steel receiver??

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    Quote Originally Posted by BEAR View Post
    Although this won't apply to a 1901, the stamp on the uncut mag opening says NS 3. Could it be an unfinished nickle steel receiver??
    That is the other part, I believe you are going correct. Its stumping me.

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    That solid bottom receiver would be good to convert to the M2 magazine for a 22 rim fire conversion - if the M2 rim fire bolt can be made to work ?

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    Quote Originally Posted by RCS View Post
    That solid bottom receiver would be good to convert to the M2 magazine for a 22 rim fire conversion - if the M2 rim fire bolt can be made to work ?
    Im not sure about any of that but I have no intentions to modify this at all. I would jusf like to figure out what it is haha.

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    Quote Originally Posted by shank0668 View Post
    Im not sure about any of that but I have no intentions to modify this at all. I would jusf like to figure out what it is haha.
    It is an unfinished M1903 receiver. I have two of the unfinished M1901/02 receivers and they are different ( on the M1901/02, no rear receiver bridge and the machining where the cut off spindle goes is longer ).

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    Quote Originally Posted by m1903rifle View Post
    It is an unfinished M1903 receiver. I have two of the unfinished M1901/02 receivers and they are different ( on the M1901/02, no rear receiver bridge and the machining where the cut off spindle goes is longer ).
    Thanks! I take it it is probably not worth much?

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    Here are some better photos

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