Springfield Armory 1903 Mark I value

Running Man

Member
Joined
May 2, 2020
Messages
8
I came into possession of a Springfield Armory 1903 Mark I. The receiver is cut for the Peterson device. I would rate the condition as fair. I am trying to determine the value.

The serial number, 110xxxx puts the production in 1919. It was not used in WWI. The date on the barrel is 4/19, which means the barrel might be original to the receiver. The is an "A" stamped on the barrel below the date.

There is a single proof mark P stamped on the bottom of the stock behind the trigger guard. The initials of the inspector "FJA" are stamped on the left side of the stock above the trigger guard. My research indicates this was a Lt. Col. Frank J. Atwood. There are no arsenal rebuild stamps anywhere on the stock. The stock fore end does not have finger grooves.

The serial number is in the range that indicates that this rife is properly heat treated. It has a swept back bolt handle, indicating that the bolt is properly heat treated. This means that, assuming headspace is correct, it can be shot.

There is a chance this rifle is in original condition. My research indicates a wide range of values. I am hoping to get an idea as to the value of this rifle. Photos are attached.
 

Attachments

  • RecieverRight.JPEG
    RecieverRight.JPEG
    191.9 KB · Views: 24
  • StockLeft.JPEG
    StockLeft.JPEG
    186.5 KB · Views: 21
  • StockRight.JPEG
    StockRight.JPEG
    124 KB · Views: 23
  • RecieverLeft.JPEG
    RecieverLeft.JPEG
    195.6 KB · Views: 23
  • RightSide.jpg
    RightSide.jpg
    153.7 KB · Views: 25
  • LeftSide.jpg
    LeftSide.jpg
    134.7 KB · Views: 24
Well, a few things-
The stock is a WW2- era Remington unit with recoil pins (instead of bolts) and no grasping grooves. The upper handguard is also the interwar "low-hump" type, the original would have been a high-hump. The wood looks a little dry and would probably benefit from a coat of BLO.

Nearly all Mk1s were arsenal reconditioned after the Pedersen devices were scrapped to remove the Mk1-specific fire control parts. Only the ejection port (and markings) remained to differentiate them. If you look at the magazine cutoff and some other small parts, the finish is mismatched so it's a typical mix-master.
If you find any little "R" stamps on small parts, they are Remington bits. Look under the bolt handle for the bolt maker's mark. An NS stamp indicates nickel steel (good).

There is something strange going on with the front sight hood, it shouldn't be pushed back like that. The front tabs are probably broken.

All that aside, it's by no means a bad gun. Assuming the bore is good, I would agree the overall condition is fair. Being a Mk1 adds a small amount of value, perhaps $100. I would expect that rifle to have $750-900 on the tag at a local show or shop- the market on them has cooled a little in the last couple years.

It's a decent shooter-grade 1903, but not a ton of interest to a hard-core collector. Shoot and Enjoy. :thumbup:
 
Back in the 1970's, I was offered a Pedersen Device for $5,000. While I was pondering that, I picked up a Mark I Springfield, and reinstalled the Pedersen-specific parts such as the cutoff and the trigger. Ultimately I decided that $5,000 was too rich for my blood (at the time) and passed on the deal. Eventually I sold the Mark I with its Pedersen parts.

BTW, the Mark II was the M1917 Enfield modified for the Pedersen Device, and the Mark III was the Remington-produced Mosin-Nagant likewise modified for the Pedersen. It's unclear whether either of these ever got past the design stage.
 
Well, a few things-
The stock is a WW2- era Remington unit with recoil pins (instead of bolts) and no grasping grooves. The upper handguard is also the interwar "low-hump" type, the original would have been a high-hump. The wood looks a little dry and would probably benefit from a coat of BLO.

Nearly all Mk1s were arsenal reconditioned after the Pedersen devices were scrapped to remove the Mk1-specific fire control parts. Only the ejection port (and markings) remained to differentiate them. If you look at the magazine cutoff and some other small parts, the finish is mismatched so it's a typical mix-master.
If you find any little "R" stamps on small parts, they are Remington bits. Look under the bolt handle for the bolt maker's mark. An NS stamp indicates nickel steel (good).

There is something strange going on with the front sight hood, it shouldn't be pushed back like that. The front tabs are probably broken.

All that aside, it's by no means a bad gun. Assuming the bore is good, I would agree the overall condition is fair. Being a Mk1 adds a small amount of value, perhaps $100. I would expect that rifle to have $750-900 on the tag at a local show or shop- the market on them has cooled a little in the last couple years.

It's a decent shooter-grade 1903, but not a ton of interest to a hard-core collector. Shoot and Enjoy. :thumbup:
Thank you for your reply. I think you are right about the rifle being a mix-master. There is an "R" stamped on the bottom side of the bolt handle. I did not find an NS stamp. The finish on the magazine cutoff and the safety does not match the finish on other parts. The color of the wood of the lower stock does not match the color of the upper stock.

I was thinking about selling this rifle to fund another project. If I can get enough for it. I might sell it, otherwise, it will become a safe queen.

BTW, about shooting it, do you have any recommendations for ammunition that can be safely used in this rifle?
 
There is something strange going on with the front sight hood,
Looks like it's on backwards to me--but I'm trusting a magnifying glass on my 26" monitor, and not proper zoom.

Those guns are often for sale at CMP as surplus.

From what I've seen, they run about $850 for rough to around $1,300 for pretty good.
Pretty rare at CMP over the last two decades. Every one I've seen went to the auction site for sale.

Here in Texas, I've not seen a plain jane 1903 for under US$1100. The Mk Is I've seen at Rock Island Auction all start around $1500-1600, and more with Pedersen cuts.
Were that one mine, I'd have it on my Eastern insurance for two grand as replacement value.
 
Thank you for your reply. I think you are right about the rifle being a mix-master. There is an "R" stamped on the bottom side of the bolt handle. I did not find an NS stamp. The finish on the magazine cutoff and the safety does not match the finish on other parts. The color of the wood of the lower stock does not match the color of the upper stock.

I was thinking about selling this rifle to fund another project. If I can get enough for it. I might sell it, otherwise, it will become a safe queen.

BTW, about shooting it, do you have any recommendations for ammunition that can be safely used in this rifle?
Any commercially loaded .30-06 ammunition is safe to shoot in a high-number 1903 if the headspace is within spec- Go/Nogo gauges for them aren't expensive.
Both of mine shoot great with just about any bullet in the 150-180 grain range. Never tried any of the super-heavies myself.
 
The Mark I is as safe as any "high number" Springfield. The only difference (after replacement of the Pedersen cutoff, trigger, and sear) compared to the standard Springfield is the large ejection port cut into the left side of the receiver above the magazine well.

According to Wikipedia, 101,775 Mark I Springfields were produced (compared to 65,000 of the Pedersen Devices themselves). All this production took place after WW1 was over. This was planned to be a big deal for the Spring 1919 offensive that never took place. The Devices, except for a few samples, were destroyed in the 1930's after the adoption of the Garand. The accoutrements, such as the magazine pouches and the metal sheaths for the Devices, were common in surplus stores throughout the 1960's.

From my personal point of view, as a collector, I don't see much reason to spend a lot of money on a Mark I, unless somehow you were able to get a Pedersen Device to go with it. Without the Device, the gun would always seem like an incomplete orphan.
 
i bought a very nice mk1 that was semi sporterized in the 60,s, mil stock cut down and reciever sight was installed for 100.00 at a flea market. barrel date is 1-20 and is a four groove barrel in ex condition, serial number is 1140998 and its a ex shooter. if the reciever wasn,t D&T for the reciever sight i would try to put it back to it,s original condition.
 
Looks like it's on backwards to me--but I'm trusting a magnifying glass on my 26" monitor, and not proper zoom.


Pretty rare at CMP over the last two decades. Every one I've seen went to the auction site for sale.

Here in Texas, I've not seen a plain jane 1903 for under US$1100. The Mk Is I've seen at Rock Island Auction all start around $1500-1600, and more with Pedersen cuts.
Were that one mine, I'd have it on my Eastern insurance for two grand as replacement value.
Maybe they aren’t putting them up on the website.

They always have several at Camp Perry when I’m there for Nationals.
 
if the reciever wasn,t D&T for the reciever sight i would try to put it back to it,s original condition.

Even though there were a lot of these made and the value is degraded because of the modification, I still think it's worthy cause to bring them back to military configuration. For the drilled and tapped holes simple screws would basically cover them up. It wouldn't be perfect but it would preserve the history to a degree.

My only 1903 A3 was sporterized when I bought it. It was inexpensive. The receiver was notched for a sporting Bolt. But, I put it back into military configuration and that can't be seen from the outside. It's a Wonderful shooter and I have used it in competition. I still have the Sporter stock if I ever wanted to use it. I doubt I ever would.
 
Back
Top