HELP: Springfield WWI 1903

[jal]

Unless there is a recording of serial number to confirm or SRS hit there is no way to tell if it saw combat. Hard to say where it served, could have been a basic training company, National Guard unit or in France, who knows? Your barrel date precedes the serial number on your action by at least 5 months or more, can't tell by xxx. I also have an 832XXX rifle that has a 2-18 barrel. The "A" on your barrel was speculated at one time to mean "acceptable", indicating that it had been through a rebuild and gaged ok. There is a strong probability of that since the low number rifles were to be taken from service when turned in for rebuild. I would guess that when through rebuilt (which your rifle has been at "least" once) the original barrel failed gage and the action got a repurposed LN take-off.

Hi Randy. May I ask what bolt is in your 832xxx? This rifle is 8328xx and when looking at Vi Shooters website on bolt charts, it appears that the rifles that have a SN between 807091-832992 have no information on bolt codes. I attached some pictures, it looks like there is some pitting on the bolt handle. My eyes want to make up a "J" on the handle but I believe that may be just the pitting. I have no clue what that dimple and letter is on the underside of the bolt. On the safety lug there is an S. Would this indicate that this bolt was taken off a rifle from 1909-1912?

[m1903rifle]

Hi Randy. May I ask what bolt is in your 832xxx? This rifle is 8328xx and when looking at Vi Shooters website on bolt charts, it appears that the rifles that have a SN between 807091-832992 have no information on bolt codes. I attached some pictures, it looks like there is some pitting on the bolt handle. My eyes want to make up a "J" on the handle but I believe that may be just the pitting. I have no clue what that dimple and letter is on the underside of the bolt. On the safety lug there is an S. Would this indicate that this bolt was taken off a rifle from 1909-1912?

Yes, that is correct.

[RCS]

You have the early straight bolt, I have an s marked bolt in my SA 160963 rifle.

Also have a SA 1918 rifle serial number 825055 with a barrel dated SA 3-18, stock is D.A.L. cartouched. Receiver has the Hatcher hole and NS bolt. Rifle cam from the CMP years agoAttachment 89843Attachment 89844

[jal]

Thanks a ton for the info. I understand its very common for these rifles to be rebuilt. To review, this 1903 has all indication of original parts EXCEPT the bolt is an "S" mark, the firing pin is from a 1903a3, and the bolt sleeve and upper band is marked with an "R". The swivels turned out fine and so did the butt plate. Excuse my ignorance-- is it possible for a springfield to be end up with Remington parts and a a3 bolt during a rebuild? Im trying to determine if somebody stripped this rifle for parts and threw some together to sell it, or if its an honest rebuild. It would be my first 1903 and I could tolerate a few parts here and there but, I want to know what im buying and want to offer a reasonable price. Thanks!!
JAL

[browningautorifle]

Im trying to determine if somebody stripped this rifle for parts and threw some together to sell it, or if its an honest rebuild.

You'll never be able to determine that from parts. Matter of fact, the more radical the parts selection, the more likely the rebuild is military not restored.