Springfield 1903 rifle

[mattbayan]

If anyone knows about the Springfield 1903, I'd appreciate some help. I just inherited one. I can't identify what exactly it is. The barrel is marked AR 1-44, so I assume at least the barrel is Remington made in January of 1944. The receiver has no serial number or name stamped into it. There is no rear sight and the furniture extends over where a rear sight would normally be forward of the chamber; plus instead of the magazine, it has a plate in the bottom that renders it a 1-shot shooter. This seems to be the configuration that was used for sniper rifles since it was impossible to charge the magazine with a stripper clip because of the mounting for the scope over the top of the action. Only problem is that there are no screw holes or other indication that a scope was ever mounted.

The barrel is 2-groove and very clean and crisp. I wonder if this rifle was intended for sniper scope and then the war ended and the installation never happened. It's a mystery gun. Anybody have ideas on what I have and its value?

 

[mattbayan]

More info

Correction: the barrel is marked RA 1-44. Also note that it has bayonet lugs.

 

[BADSBSNF81]

It appears, based on your picture, that someone at sometime, removed the serial number. Are you positive there isn't some portion of the serial number on the receiver? What you have is a big problem. The BATFE looks very unkindly on firearms without serial numbers that started out with a serial number. My suggestion is to get a lawyer who is familiar with firearms law. Good luck to you.

 

[CapnMac]

The action looks to be a 1903 or 1903A1 set into a 1903A3 stock (a straight, or "S" grip stock, not the "C" pistol grip stock).

Canfield, among others shows that the maker and serial number for 1903A4 sniper rifles was "rolled" further over the breech, so that it could be read with a scope mounted. Which, if you look at it from the rifle's left side will appear "upside down" (it's right side up from the bolt handle side of the weapon. Additionally, in case the rifle did not meet A4 specs, it was labeled "03-A3" in that offset position.

Have you fully dismounted this from all the wood on the stock, including the hand guards? I have to wonder if this is might be labeled by a gun plumber, if a professional was used. Note too, that an s/n was only required after '68--a person could build a gun up from parts if they wanted to (just seems like a lot of grinding and weld-filling to remove the typically-deep '03 markings I've seen).

I've got Crossman's Book of the Springfield open, trying to see if any of the inter-war, made for private customer '03's were made without Armory markings. To keep Springfield Armory going, they actually offered hunting versions of the 1903 for private sale. If this were that sort of rifle, the front sight base would be under the upper handguard, which would need some whittling to sit right over that base.

Consider too, that the scope mounts for older 1903 rifles are considerably more forward of where we think of them being "normally" today. The locations would be under that upper handguard if they are there.

Now, when you say there is a blanking plate in, is it filling the magazine well in some fashion? If it is removable, then a regular magazine will be a follower and spring away.

 

[Slamfire]

I can usually identify Remington 03 receivers from Springfield/RIA given enough pictures.

Not enough pictures, sorry.

My guess, a 03 receiver rebarreled with an A3 barrel. A3 handguard. Then someone ground the receiver markings off.

The military never removed manufacturer or serial numbers.