Air service Rifle Magazine

[Hibernianrifle]

So how rare are these magazines ? Also how hard is it to restore a rifle to these specs for the original 03 Springfield air rifle ?

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[browningautorifle]

These rifles were a completely different rifle. If I remember, they were basically a sporter type with this long magazine attached. You'd be building one from scratch I'd think...that could be done, from pics. Copies of the mag are available but originals are much harder to find.

[rcathey]

I’d bet reproductions are a whole lot more common if you know what I mean.

I think Sarco has reproductions of the magazine.

I have seen a built up one with an interesting history that sold for, what I think, is a ridiculous price:
U.S. Springfield Air Service 1903 Rifle-Rifle Firearms Auction Lot-2470

[browningautorifle]

I’d bet reproductions are a whole lot more common

Yup...

[Tom in N.J.]

I have seen reproductions of the WWI German G98 "trench" magazine, but never of the U.S. M1903 Air Service magazine. Originals were offered for sale back in the 1960s by a woman in PA via the Shot Gun News for $20.00. I still have mine, but the box fell apart.

[browningautorifle]

I still have mine, but the box fell apart.

Got pics of that one?

[cplstevennorton]

They weren't just for the air service. This is from 1918.

[Smokeeaterpilot]

Less than 2k produced. There was only one contact to make them for the Air Service rifle.

Few others out there, but not from that contract but most likely just prototypes.

I suppose uncommon but they pop up from time to time on auctions. Usually on standard service rifles to get a much higher value on an auction or pricetag.

[Chuckindenver]

I have one... they made a couple types, as well as one used for the Trench 1903 with the weird hinged stock