M1903 Barrel

[evan_nugget]

Hey guys. I have a M1903 Mark I S/N: 1156xxx that was made by Springfield Armory. According to what I've found, this dates the rifle to late 1919. The barrel is Springfield Armory marked and dated 3-20 with the flaming bomb. I was wondering if this would be the original barrel for the rifle, or if this was a re-barrel. Also, if anyone knows whether this is a 2-groove or 4-groove barrel based on the date or whether it is something else (just for my curiosity). The barrel seems to be a legitimate SA barrel, not some attempted forgery (it is worn at the muzzle).

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Malamute]

You should be able to tell if its 2 or 4 groove by looking through it. I'll save you the trouble though, 2 groove barrels didn't come along until WWII.

Unless the gun is mint, complete, all original, it doesn't make sense anyone would go to the trouble to fake barrel dates. It also doesnt make sense anyone would use a worn barrel. Many many of the 1903swere rebuilt overtime, with no regard to barrel dates. Overall condition of the gun would mean more for value than an exact barrel date.

Barrels and parts used to be easily available for pretty cheap. Id prefer to see a new condition barrel with later date rather than a worn correct date barrel if I planned to shoot it.

There are online resources to find dates the receiver was made, and what barrels went on them. I lost a lot of that stuff I had bookmarked in a computer crash.

 

[Jim Watson]

I would take a 1919 action with a 1920 barrel as original.
Just to be sure, is there a punch mark on the little ledge on the right side of the receiver ring? That would be a rebarrel proof mark.

 

[Sunray]

Like Malamute says, the only 2 groove barrels were on '03A3's made by Remington. One of the ease of manufacturing things they did to 'em.
If you were 97, you'd be a bit worn at the muzzle too. snicker. Nobody would put fake muzzle wear on a barrel.

 

[desidog]

the only 2 groove barrels were on '03A3's made by Remington.

They made it into Long Branch No.4's as well.

 

[Slamfire]

I have a CMP Mark 1. Barrel is original to the rifle. Don't remember what else is original, other than the trigger mechanism.

Barrel is a four groove April 1920 barrel.




This is the trigger mechanism!