+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 35

Thread: My "New" Springfield Sporter

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Legacy Member XTrooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    02-17-2023 @ 04:34 AM
    Location
    Hazleton, Pennsylvania, USA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    52
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM

    My "New" Springfield Sporter

    A close friend and training partner of mine lost his father two weeks ago at the age of 88. He was a local magistrate for over 30 years and was a lifelong firearms enthusiast. This past weekend, I helped my friend inventory his late father's firearms in anticipation of selling them for his mother. As a thank you for my help, my buddy gave me first dibs on the guns available and I bought this Springfield 1903 sporterized rifle. The action and barrel are in their original military configuration except for the addition of a barrel band and stud replacing the original military barrel band and the replacement of the original ladder rear sight with a vintage and then top-of-the-line Lyman 48 aperture sight. The original military stock has been replaced with a custom stock having very refined hand-checkering on the forend and pistol grip. It had a 60+-year-old recoil pad installed that was basically "petrified" and had become brittle and literally hard as a rock. I removed it and will be installing a new all black Pachmayr Decelerator recoil pad on it in the near future.
    This rifle was manufactured at the Springfield Armory in 1930 and its original SA barrel is dated 2-29. I'm excited to have obtained this really cool Springfield sporter that, though no longer in its original configuration, is still a piece of American military history. In its present form, it makes for a handsome, handy, well-balanced hunting rifle chambered in the versatile and very capable .30-06 cartridge. I'm happy to own it!

    I've owned literally hundreds of different firearms over the decades, but I never got around to owning a U.S. Rifle Model 1903. This is my first. Is there anything I should know about this one or anything interesting and/or unusual about it that you can comment on?
    I do have one question. That J5 bolt, from the information I've found about it, seems from a few years earlier than the receiver and barrel. Does this indicate it is a replacement? Is this odd? Thank you!









    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.
    Steve
    NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired 4-1-1991)
    NRA LE Firearms Instructor

  2. Thank You to XTrooper For This Useful Post:


  3. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    All Threads
    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.
     

  4. #2
    Contributing Member rcathey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:56 AM
    Location
    St. Louis, MO Area
    Posts
    1,645
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    12:14 PM
    Doesn't get much better than that!
    This rifle falls within a block of DCM sales and is right next to:
    1343991SPT 071730DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

    I wouldn't be surprised a bit if this was an original DCM sporter. While not original military it is still very cool. I love those Lyman's with the target knobs.

  5. Thank You to rcathey For This Useful Post:


  6. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  7. #3
    Legacy Member XTrooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    02-17-2023 @ 04:34 AM
    Location
    Hazleton, Pennsylvania, USA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    52
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by rcathey View Post
    Doesn't get much better than that!
    This rifle falls within a block of DCM sales and is right next to:
    1343991SPT 071730DCM RIFLE SALES 1922-42

    I wouldn't be surprised a bit if this was an original DCM sporter. While not original military it is still very cool. I love those Lyman's with the target knobs.
    Wow! That would be very cool if it were a DCM sporter! That possibility never entered my mind! Thank you very much for the information, rcathey!
    Steve
    NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired 4-1-1991)
    NRA LE Firearms Instructor

  8. #4
    Legacy Member XTrooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    02-17-2023 @ 04:34 AM
    Location
    Hazleton, Pennsylvania, USA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    52
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM
    Thread Starter
    Well, I looked at the barrel and action a little more carefully and found some kind of strange-looking mark (gouge?) at the 6 o'clock position of the muzzle. Coincidence? Also, I found some letters and numbers on the underside of the barrel. I also found some markings on the underside of the receiver. I've taken photos of each location as seen below.

    Also, and I don't know if there is any significance to this, but the bolt handle has a slight rearward bend to it.

    Do any of these markings have any significance? Do any of them have any connection to the rifle being an NRA Sporter? Thanks again!





    Last edited by XTrooper; 02-26-2018 at 07:15 PM.
    Steve
    NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired 4-1-1991)
    NRA LE Firearms Instructor

  9. #5
    Contributing Member #1oilman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Last On
    03-23-2024 @ 07:18 PM
    Location
    southern Ontario
    Posts
    253
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM
    A fine looking sporter, not your run of the mill bubba special!

  10. Thank You to #1oilman For This Useful Post:


  11. #6
    Legacy Member XTrooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    02-17-2023 @ 04:34 AM
    Location
    Hazleton, Pennsylvania, USA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    52
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by #1oilman View Post
    A fine looking sporter, not your run of the mill bubba special!
    Thank you, #1oilman! I agree! I also feel very fortunate that I only had to pay $550 for it which I believe is a more than reasonable price.
    Steve
    NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired 4-1-1991)
    NRA LE Firearms Instructor

  12. #7
    Legacy Member XTrooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    02-17-2023 @ 04:34 AM
    Location
    Hazleton, Pennsylvania, USA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    52
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM
    Thread Starter
    Well, I have discovered a few things about this rifle in the last few hours. First, I have determined that the odd mark at the 6 o'clock position of the muzzle of the barrel is the worn remnant of a star gauge marking with all but two of its rays worn away and the B over 82 markings on the underside of the barrel are star gauge reference markings, as well.
    I've also found that the Lyman 48 aperture sight mounted on this rifle, with its hinged, fold up peep, is the exact type used on DCM/NRA sporters. These features, along with the fact that this rifle has a serial number just one number above the serial number of a confirmed DCM sporter and, further, is found in a serial number block consisting of a veritable sea of DCM sporters, is very strong circumstantial evidence that this rifle is indeed a DCM sporter.

    In any case, I'm very pleased with it and can't wait to get it to the range!
    Last edited by XTrooper; 02-26-2018 at 10:59 PM.
    Steve
    NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired 4-1-1991)
    NRA LE Firearms Instructor

  13. #8
    Contributing Member Promo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Last On
    @
    Location
    Europe
    Posts
    1,842
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    06:14 PM
    I would almost be sure this rifle originally was a NRA Sporter. The barrel shank does not bear any traces of having had a rear sight base ever installed, doesn't it?

  14. Thank You to Promo For This Useful Post:


  15. #9
    Legacy Member XTrooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    02-17-2023 @ 04:34 AM
    Location
    Hazleton, Pennsylvania, USA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    52
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM
    Thread Starter
    Quote Originally Posted by Promo View Post
    I would almost be sure this rifle originally was a NRA Sporter. The barrel shank does not bear any traces of having had a rear sight base ever installed, doesn't it?
    You are correct, Promo. The barrel shank is absolutely devoid of any trace of there having been a rear sight mounted on it. You can see a quick photo of the barrel shank I took below.

    Along with the other indications noted, do you believe this is fairly conclusive evidence that this rifle is an NRA Sporter? Thank you for your assistance!

    Steve
    NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired 4-1-1991)
    NRA LE Firearms Instructor

  16. #10
    Legacy Member XTrooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Last On
    02-17-2023 @ 04:34 AM
    Location
    Hazleton, Pennsylvania, USA
    Age
    71
    Posts
    52
    Real Name
    Steve
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    01:14 PM
    Thread Starter
    xxxxx
    Last edited by XTrooper; 02-27-2018 at 07:47 AM. Reason: duplicate post, please delete
    Steve
    NJ State Trooper #3936 (retired 4-1-1991)
    NRA LE Firearms Instructor

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. "Interesting" sporter
    By Bruce_in_Oz in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-19-2013, 12:35 AM
  2. SAVAGE "S" in details, "ILCO butt trap", "P" on bayonet stud,what co. was ILCO?
    By Garandrew in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-15-2010, 07:48 PM
  3. Springfield "Sporter" Stocks
    By Cosine26 in forum M1903/1903A3/A4 Springfield Rifle
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 01-16-2010, 01:11 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks