U.S. Springfield Armory Model of 1903....need info

[Sapper771]

Anyone have any information on the early Springfield Armory 1903 rifles?

What I have is a four digit serial numbered Springfield 1903 rifle.
it has a straight stock (as in no pistol grip) with finger grooves. The receiver says "U.S. Springfield Armory Model of 1903 9XXX". The serial number places the manufacture date sometime in 1903. The only other markings is an "R" on the rear sight base and another "R" on the rear sight leaf. There is no date on the barrel. The rear sight is located ahead of the action.

I am being told that due to the barrel not having a date, that it may be a non arsenal replacement, thus killing the value. I wonder if the early 1903s even had dates on the barrel. The rifle is chambered in 30-06.

If anyone has any info, I would appreciate it. I have very little experience with 1903's.

I dont have any pictures at this time, but I can post some later.

 

[dogrunner]

Do yourself a favor and go to the CMP website....ODCMP.COM.

Someone there can likely tell you all you need to know and probably a LOT more.

 

[Sapper771]

Well, i finally found a website that had some valuable information. It is my guess that my rifle originally started its life as a Rod Bayonet model but was then converted later on around 1905. The barrels that were manufactured pre 1905 did not have dates on them, so it appears that I still have the original barrel on my 1903, at least it looks original. My rifle may have been a USMC issued rifle due to the Corp's use of the "Hatcher Hole" or gas port on the receiver.

Very interesting stuff. Still digging.

 

[Sapper771]

Thanks Dogrunner, I will check it out.

 

[nbkky71]

Sounds like a mixmaster 1903 rifle to me. Bear in mind that most 1903 rifles went through at least one overhaul during their life and little effort was made to keep the same parts with the same rifle.

All USGI barrels had the month/date and the flaming bomb stamped on the top of the barrel behind the front sight base. Either your barrel is a commercial replacment, or the markings were ground/polished off.

The finger groove/straight grip stock would be correct for an early 1903. There may be cartouches on the stock if you look closely

"R" stamped parts usually indicate parts manufactured by Remington, who also make 1903 and 1903A3 rifles in the early/mid 1940's.

One thing to also bear in mind that early 1903 Springfield Armory rifles (serial 800,000 and lower) are referred to as "low number" and are generally considered unsafe to fire due to inconsistent receiver heat treatment issues. Some folks say it's OK and some think they'll explode the moment you pull the trigger, so take it with a grain of salt.

The CMP forum, as well as Jouster.com are good places to get detailed info on 1903 rifles.

 

[Sapper771]

Yeah, I am seeing a lot if inconsistent information on the early rifles.

 

[Jim Watson]

If you don't show us some pictures, I am not going to play.

 

[Sapper771]

LoL, Ok Jim. I will post some in a little while.

 

[Murphy4570]

I'd love to see photos of this 4 digit rifle. I've got a 1927 vintage 1903 myself.


Get yourself some 30-03 ammunition for it, for display purposes. Very rare stuff.

 

[Sapper771]

Here she is. let me know what you think. Dont really know what I got at this point.

 

[Sapper771]

 

[HKGuns]

If you are planning to shoot it, you need to read the warnings about shooting low serial numbered '03's. The heat treating was inconsistent and their receivers "can" shatter like glass. Google low serial number Springfield and you'll get a lot of reading and can decide for yourself if it is worth the risk.

This assumes you plan to shoot it......I just wouldn't want you to not get some warning. I'm kind of undecided on the subject as there are a lot of opinions. The one I trust most, CMP, warn you they are not safe to shoot. But, as with everything there are people who shoot theirs without bad things happening.

 

[Sapper771]

I plan on shooting a few rounds of factory stuff thorugh it, just to confirm that it will fire. The research that I have found shows that only a small sampling of rifles each year had shattered..... under 50 rifles out of 100,000. The odds are against it , but that doesnt mean it cant happen.

If this one stays with me, it will be kept in the safe with the rest of the "Old Men".

 

[Sapper771]

I also had one other question. I found a Remington 1903A3 with a January of 1944 barrel date and a 3.9 million serial number. It is in decent condition but missing the front sight blade (easily replaceable). Would such a rifle be worth $600.00 ?

 

[HKGuns]

I'd pay $600 for it, depending on condition. Your definition of good may be different than mine, but that appears to be a decent price for a decent '03 in todays market. I don't have a book on the '03 so I can't help you with those markings you're showing. If you had a Garand, Carbine or '17 I'd be all in to help you with this one.

 

[Sapper771]

Thank You HKGuns.

 

[30Cal]

Very cool.

 

[Thunderstick]

Do yourself a favor and post on the CMP website under the ask each other section. Watch for a post from Rick the Librarian. Rick knows 03s. I posted some questions about an 03A3 that I purchased. I provided a few details and Rick came back with a long list of specifics for my rifle. In essence, he described my rifle to me without ever seeing it. Rick knows....

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Just for the hell of it - does your barrel have any markings on the end of the muzzle? Also, stamps inside the stock forward of the magazine are worth noting next time you have it out.

 

[billyhank1]

I inherited a Springfield Armory Model 1903 from my father-in-law. He passed away quite a few years ago, and I never looked at the gun until today. He was in the army and was at Normandy (landed D-Day plus 4). Saw a lot of action, two purple hearts, bronze star, etc.

The serial number is 97672. My research shows it was made in 1905. The barrel is stamped 7-42. I assume this was his rifle during WWII, but I am not sure since he NEVER would talk about it. There is a cartouche on the left side stock "FJA", and on the other side is a stamp in a rectangle "C.S.A.-A."

I am trying to establish a value for it. It is in very good (my estimation, not an expert's) with no major dings anywhere in the stock. Everything is there, including the sling.

Can anyone help?