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Thread: Is this a real national match Springfield?

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  1. #1
    Legacy Member JT76's Avatar
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    Is this a real national match Springfield?

    I have the opportunity to purchase this rifle. The owner is asking $1600. I will attach some pictures. Is the rifle legit? I posted it on a facebook group and a gentleman suggested that I ask here. The bolt root is nickel steel and has NS stamped on it but the SN isn't electro penciled. The pictures tell some more of the story. I don't have the rifle in my possession at the moment for more pictures... It is possible it may be a parts gun? But the double stamp SA SPG suggests a rebuild? Any input, opinions, insight, potential value would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!











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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Legacy Member m1903rifle's Avatar
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    If it is a NM it is not listed in the SRS records:

    1422720 05/25/40 61ST CAC
    1423620 07/06/40 68TH COAST ART CO

    What type buttplate does it have....smooth, finely checkered, or coarse checkering? Are the rails and follower polished?

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Has it been refinished? The receiver seems to have fine pitting and it shouldn't look like that...
    Regards, Jim

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    Advisory Panel Patrick Chadwick's Avatar
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    I have no special knowledge of these rifles, but according to my info. the receiver dates to 1933. NM rifles from 1921 on had a star-gauged barrel that was so marked on the muzzle. So no star gauge marked muzzle = not an NM barrel.
    The slightly dinged muzzle crown shown here looks very ordinary.

    I wouldn't go by a butt-plate, as that is a simple part to swap.

    As Jim pointed out "...it shouldn't look like that." And the body behind the cut-off lever seems to be bent (???) or seriously worn.

    It really shouldn't look like that.

    As an "03 ignoramus, I shall simply stick to the basic criterion that applies to all old equipment: if the parts haven't worn together, then they wern't born together.

    I.e. inconsistent wear patterns = mixture.

    Mind you, over here a Model 1903 will fetch 4-figures without any NM pretensions.

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    Legacy Member JT76's Avatar
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    Thread Starter
    The barrel is star gauged.

    the butt plate is checkered, more coarsely than on another 1930s springfield that i own. I can't remember is the rails were polished, but i don't think so. I opened the action to look at the bore and i feel if they were polished it would stand out to me. I don't have the rifle in my possession to look.

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    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
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    markings on NM 1903 barrels

    This 1903 rifle serial number 1,373,022 has a star gaged SA 7-29 dated barrel. Besides the small star gage stamp on the muzzle, there is a heat lot code and star gage (when the bore was gaged) number on the barrel.

    Also of interest is part of a letter received from John Beardicon " Your rifle is indeed a 1931 National Match rifle. It's not listed in the records of the Springfield Research Service because, like most National Match rifles, it was retain in military service and not sold."Attachment 90501Attachment 90502Attachment 90503Attachment 90504Attachment 90505

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    Front sight has been replaced.

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    Legacy Member Randy A's Avatar
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    It's been rebarreled. Check the under side of the bolt for serial number too. After removing the bolt from the action simply rotate the extractor and check there, I have one that was numbered there.

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    Quote Originally Posted by JT76 View Post
    The barrel is star gauged.
    OK, that must be what I thought was a ding on the crown!

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    Legacy Member RCS's Avatar
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    besides the star gage muzzle stamp and heat lot code there should also be a star gage card number stamped on your barrel (like my photo above)

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