New to me 1903

[Mike_S]

It rhymes!!! LOL!

After looking for quite some time, I finally settled on this one. What I know - not much. Receiver serial number and barrel indicate 1929 manufacture. The green/grey finish indicative of arsenal refit of some sort? The sight slider is marked with a 6 (.60") and an R (Remington stamped the milled parts they made?). There are no other identifying marks or etchings on the rifle. It has a dovetailed super fine front sight blade with no cover. It has a very bright bore with sharp rifling - main reason I chose this one after looking at three others. The stocks are well used but not abused or excessively beaten or marked up, even the dings seem to be few for a 90 plus year old service rifle. It would seem surrounding serial numbers went to Clarkson College, maybe this one did as well and was mainly an ROTC training/drill rifle?

Yes, it's still dirty/dusty from whomever last stored it, I am still making friends with it and waiting for the two hours I anticipate needing to properly clean and lube it.

My plan is to hunt this at least once with Remington 165 Cor-Lokt, after shooting it a bit with similar power ball rounds, and then just admire the snot out of it at home, take it out for a fun day once in awhile.

If anyone can tell me anything more, strong supposition or fact, I will be very grateful!

Attachment 119411Attachment 119412Attachment 119413

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.

[Mike_S]

Attachment 119414

Attachment 119415

Attachment 119416

[Mike_S]

Attachment 119420

Attachment 119421

Attachment 119422

[Ovidio]

I can’t say much because I’m no expert on the 1903s, but it looks good and I’d like to own it.
Congratulations.

[browningautorifle]

Nice lookin' rifle...

It would seem surrounding serial numbers went to Clarkson College, maybe this one did as well and was mainly an ROTC training/drill rifle?

People love to relate the numbers around their rifle in the SRS and come up with a possible tale of duty for their piece but the fact is if it isn't mentioned clearly by number we have no idea. It could have been built from the ground up by a collector.

[Mike_S]

Nice lookin' rifle...



People love to relate the numbers around their rifle in the SRS and come up with a possible tale of duty for their piece but the fact is if it isn't mentioned clearly by number we have no idea. It could have been built from the ground up by a collector.

Wow! What a way to knock the wind out a dreamers sails!

But, I'll hold on to the fact that the barrel and receiver are at the very least from the same year and manufacturer. LOL!

I am looking forward to taking it apart and cleaning then shooting it. If it is mechanically capable of better-than-I-am accuracy, I'll be happy!

[RCS]

your rear sight slide and peep are Remington WW2 replacement parts


Here is a photo of a Springfield - Rock Island used a straight number 7Attachment 119479Attachment 119478

[browningautorifle]

knock the wind out

Well, just what we've found relatively often.

[RCS]

The USMC (and to some extent US Army) used this rear sight up to just before WW2. the peep is a #10 and the front sight is taller and thicker, battle range is about 200 yards when the leaf is foldedAttachment 119487

[ssgross]

I am looking forward to taking it apart and cleaning then shooting it. If it is mechanically capable of better-than-I-am accuracy, I'll be happy!

You will have a lot of fun, even if it is a part's queen. In many cases the mix of parts is part of the service life - but almost impossible to know if parts were mixed by an an arsenal overhaul, by an armorer in the field, or by a collector. To me, it doesn't matter. It's all part of the life of an amazing piece of history, and does not in any way diminish the pleasure I feel in a live, historical experience holding wood in hand at the firing line letting my imagination run. My kids and I like to invent stories for how every little ding, scrape, or mixed part made it on the rifle. It's all part of the fun and enjoyment of keeping these rifles going.
Just my 2 cents. Let us know how it shoots!