a4 sporter?

[ssgross]

I scored another Springfield sporter to work on, should be delivered this week.
Attachment 118336Attachment 118337Attachment 118338
The original old-style Redfield base and rings are a nice bonus, but it's just another cut back 1903A3 right???
Not so fast..., the very last picture
Attachment 118339

I'll be keen to closely handle and examine the bolt body. Does it look like it could be original? There was no picture of the serial number, but it was in the description...3,12x,xxx. My homework points to 3,4xx,xxx being the official start of the A4 program. I wonder if the seller read the second digit wrong, or if this is something else entirely. Either way, considering the base, already drilled and tapped, milled bottom metal, and a formed bolt handle the price was a bargain. Were they randomly selecting for A4's before the initial dedicated consecutive run?

I'll be restoring this one to something close to it's original service glory, in due time. A few other rifle projects are ahead in line.

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[browningautorifle]

Be interesting to see the comprehensive once it lands.

[rcathey]

As far as I know, if the stamping is that far down, it was applied in order to be visible under a scope mount and is an original.

Couldn’t speak to the originality of the other bits and bobs.

[Glynn863]

I bought a sporterized M1903A4 almost identical to the one you show in photos, back in 2015, for $400. Found it on Facebook marketplace, before they got ****y about firearms and accessories. The seller was about 1-1/2 hours away, but agreed to me half-way. I also got a nice case and 2 boxes of hunting ammo. Fortunately, mine came with the original bolt and scope base. Unfortunately, it was blued and polished here and there, and the barrel had been shortened. I could barely make out "2-44" on it. Mine is a 3.411M. I gathered up various bits and pieces over a year, and had CMP Custom Shop in Anniston, AL re-barrel, headspace and re-parkerize and re-blue (as appropriate) the rifle for me. I took the vintage Japan-made Tasco Wideview scope off of it to put on a Remington 700. I alternate between a Weaver K2.5 with post reticle and a Weaver K4 with fine crosshairs on it now. I recently sent a FOIA request to the Army to see if I could trace any history.

[ssgross]

Mine is a 3.411M.

I'm very curious about this serial since it doesn't fall in the "correct" range. I imagine they were making A4's before they started the full production program with consecutive serials?
just got an email from my FFL. They didn't say anything about a serial number discrepancy on the paperwork. hopefully I can get in this weekend to get it.

I bought a sporterized M1903A4 almost identical to the one you show in photos, back in 2015, for $400.

price hasn't changed much, I paid $550. The seller had 13 photo's, none of which showed much worth looking at, and the last one showed "US Remington" in the right spot above. My guess is no one else bothered to look through to the end.

[m1903rifle]

About half of the 10 or so M1903-A4 rifles that I have owned were bought as sporters. All of the sporters had the original bolt and scope base, but none of them had the original scope.

[ssgross]

What were the rings with m82 scopes placed on A4's in Korea? I saw a rock island auction - claimed to be an original with 7/8 split top. Hi lux uses "regular" 2 piece rings.

[ssgross]

Picked it up this afternoon. Had the whole thing apart and pulled the barrel in about 15 minutes with no issues. The stock had been bedded with what looked like orange colored wood glue...the entire area around the receiver, as well as the magazine. Couple apps of the old rubber mallet broke it loose.
I now know why the seller didn't take more pictures...here is the serial. After I wiped off the old dried oil, second digit was clearly a 4.
Attachment 118388

Front ring was not tight in the dovetail, so I may not be able to save the base unless the original rings are the fault. I can always try to lightly peen the slot with a large drift to tighten it up. Brass shim inside the front ring, and a single shim under the front of the base. The ring tops were ornate. Scope and lenses were in good shape, sans some wear on the exterior.
Attachment 118389Attachment 118390Attachment 118391

Is the bolt original?
Attachment 118392Attachment 118393Attachment 118394Attachment 118395

I remember chuck telling me on the phone that when he lightly bead blasts, it makes the markings more defined. I hope that is the case and the serial number cleans up a bit. I doubt it's possible to re-strike? Anyone know anyone that does that?

Now back to the krag project

[browningautorifle]

when he lightly bead blasts, it makes the markings more defined

It will, don't worry. That marking is clear enough.

[Glynn863]

According to several sources (this from a Dillon Precision PDF document), the first block of M1903A4 serial numbers were 3407088-3427087, so my 3.411M falls into the first block, as does your rifle.