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My First Springfield 1903 - Seeking Info
Greetings, All!
I've recently fallen down (aggressively) the military surplus rabbit hole picking up an M1 Garand, Springfield 1903, Enfield SMLE No. 1 MK III*, Enfield No. 4 MK I, Colt M1911 (1918) and S&W Victory Revolver... And that's just in the last two months! I'm glad to be apart of the forum here and am looking to expand my knowledge on these historical firearms. Hopefully I don't wear out my welcome on the various sub-forums here with all my questions, but here goes nothing!
I recently acquired a Springfield 1903 and I wanted to share it with the community here in hopes of getting some expert insight into its particularities. I've done some research over the past couple weeks, but it seems like several folks floating around the various forums out there know more than I could hope to learn about these rifles. I'll post what I know below along with any questions I have. Please correct me where incorrect. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
The serial number (1302831) appears to have been produced in 1929 by Springfield. The barrel is dated 12/28. Interestingly, the gun is equipped with a “c” stock which, if I'm reading correctly, was adopted for use in May of 1928. The “S” in the cut-off recess leads me to believe it was manufactured by Springfield. It's also double marked “RA-P” (one standard, one with a square stamp around it) which I believe means the gun was possibly overhauled by Raritan Arsenal in NJ. The bolt handle is marked “R4” which I believe correlates to a WWII-era replacement component.
Questions:
1) What are the chances of this being the original stock (thus making it a 1903A1)? If not original to the gun, is it likely to have been added during the arsenal process (presumably along with the new bolt handle)? Is there any way to tell when this arsenal process took place? I only learned how to identify an 03 “c” stock vs. 03A3 “c” stock after I reassembled the gun, but one of the photos may show the area where it would have been notched to allow for the 03A3 handguard ring. I haven't been able to find any comparison photos, so I'm not sure if it is or isn't notched.
Alternatively, what are the chances it was simply added commercially?
2) Is there any significance to the other markings shown or are they simply inspector marks?
3) I've read that Springfield ceased production of military 1903s in 1928. Given that this serial number appears to have been made in 1929, what does this tell me about the construction of the gun?
Thanks in advance for the expert input! I'm very excited to have picked this gun up and am looking to know everything that I can about it. She's cleaned up and ready for a range trip!
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04-22-2022 09:33 AM
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I would say, based on the markings, the stock is a replacement. Type C stocks on service rifles were pretty rare until at least the mid-1930s, and often later. The two RA-P stamps are inspection/overhaul stamps from Raritan Arsenal in New Jersey. I believe the small one was an inspection stamp from when the rifle was being discarded by the military.
Springfield continued to make "spare parts" after 1927, which were also assembled into complete rifles, which, I believe was done with yours. They produced receivers until early 1939 and spare parts through the end of 1944.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell
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Thank You to Rick the Librarian For This Useful Post:
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