Matt Wheeler
Member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2009
- Messages
- 2
I have an M1903 (manufactured by Springfield Armory) buried away in a gun cabinet and was curious regarding the infamous receiver failures.
According to Hatcher's Notebook, this rifle was manufactured in 1916. My great-grandfather purchased it shortly after World War I. I am uncomfortable with displaying the precise serial number; however, I will report its near 621,000.
I am somewhat confused regarding pinpointing the receiver's cause of failure. Multiple people state Springfield Armory M1903s (with serial numbers < 800,000) are considered unsafe to discharge - poor heat treatment caused receiver failures. However, I also heard the Army further researched the issue and later discovered poor ammunition (wrong brass in cases, ruptured cases cracked actions) caused failures.
Whose story is correct? Secondly, does there exist a non-destructive method to test receiver hardness? I heard someone mention the Rockwell Hardness Test, but never discovered anything further. I appreciate any assistance anyone can offer - thank you.
According to Hatcher's Notebook, this rifle was manufactured in 1916. My great-grandfather purchased it shortly after World War I. I am uncomfortable with displaying the precise serial number; however, I will report its near 621,000.
I am somewhat confused regarding pinpointing the receiver's cause of failure. Multiple people state Springfield Armory M1903s (with serial numbers < 800,000) are considered unsafe to discharge - poor heat treatment caused receiver failures. However, I also heard the Army further researched the issue and later discovered poor ammunition (wrong brass in cases, ruptured cases cracked actions) caused failures.
Whose story is correct? Secondly, does there exist a non-destructive method to test receiver hardness? I heard someone mention the Rockwell Hardness Test, but never discovered anything further. I appreciate any assistance anyone can offer - thank you.