Springfield 1903 scope?

[rbahri5206]

I would like to add a scope to a 1903 the action says rock island arsenal model 1903 on it what is the best way to do this?

[Flyin Brian]

I would like to add a scope to a 1903 the action says rock island arsenal model 1903 on it what is the best way to do this?

Is the rifle already drilled and tapped for a scope mount? The best way is to find one that the collector value has already been destroyed.

Is the serial number above 285,506? If not, you may want to reconsider using it as a shooter.

[pro-nra]

As Brian already mentioned, if it's still a virgin and not been DT I would leave it alone as DT an original HN RIA is blasphemy and you will be struck by lightning the very first time you take it to the range. HN RIA are harder to find than HN SA therefore are more valuable to collectors.

IMO the vintage military rifles are not meat to have a scope on them unless it is a original "sniper" model. None of my vintage military rifles that I shoot either plinking or at matches are equipped with scope and my eyes are not that great.

[rbahri5206]

the serial is 110XXX i dont think its worth anything because it is in a synthetic stock (thats how i bought it) and i dont have the wood stock also it has no sights on it

[pro-nra]

That is a LN so it falls into the "dangerous" rifle to shoot. Wall hanger IMO.

[Flyin Brian]

the serial is 110XXX i dont think its worth anything because it is in a synthetic stock (thats how i bought it) and i dont have the wood stock also it has no sights on it

Wow, that thing has already been abused by Bubba. The serial number indicates it is one of the ones that was made prior to the proper heat treating procedures, so most people recommend not shooting them. You will hear a bunch of naysayers, but really, how much is your face worth?

If it was above 285XXX and had no sights & synthetic stock... then yeah it might be worth turning it into a hunting rifle, but IMHO it's dangerous to shoot and not worth putting money into.

[rbahri5206]

That is a LN so it falls into the "dangerous" rifle to shoot. Wall hanger IMO.

i think the receiver has had work done because it says rock island arsenal on not not springfield. what do you think?

[pro-nra]

RIA, SA and RA all made 1903s not just SA. What "work" do you think was done to the receiver? You can not re-heat treat the receiver to make it not dangerous. IMO I would use it as a non shooting wall hanger.

[Jeff L]

From the CMP site.
WARNING ON “LOW-NUMBER” SPRINGFIELDS

M1903 rifles made before February 1918 utilized receivers and bolts which were single heat-treated by a method that rendered some of them brittle and liable to fracture when fired, exposing the shooter to a risk of serious injury. It proved impossible to determine, without destructive testing, which receivers and bolts were so affected and therefore potentially dangerous.

To solve this problem, the Ordnance Department commenced double heat treatment of receivers and bolts. This was commenced at Springfield Armory at approximately serial number 800,000 and at Rock Island Arsenal at exactly serial number 285,507. All Springfields made after this change are commonly called “high number” rifles. Those Springfields made before this change are commonly called “low-number” rifles.

In view of the safety risk the Ordnance Department withdrew from active service all “low-number” Springfields. During WWII, however, the urgent need for rifles resulted in the rebuilding and reissuing of many “low-number” as well as “high-number” Springfields. The bolts from such rifles were often mixed during rebuilding, and did not necessarily remain with the original receiver.

Generally speaking, “low number” bolts can be distinguished from “high-number” bolts by the angle at which the bolt handle is bent down. All “low number” bolts have the bolt handle bent straight down, perpendicular to the axis of the bolt body. High number bolts have “swept-back” (or slightly rearward curved) bolt handles.

A few straight-bent bolts are of the double heat-treat type, but these are not easily identified, and until positively proved otherwise ANY straight-bent bolt should be assumed to be “low number”. All original swept-back bolts are definitely “high number”. In addition, any bolt marked “N.S.” (for nickel steel) can be safely regarded as “high number” if obtained directly from CMP (beware of re-marked fakes).

CMP DOES NOT RECOMMEND FIRING ANY SPRINGFIELD RIFLE WITH A ”LOW NUMBER” RECEIVER. Such rifles should be regarded as collector’s items, not “shooters”.

[0321jarhead]

i think the receiver has had work done because it says rock island arsenal on not not springfield. what do you think?

Nothing personal but, your intentions are meant well though you have a lot to learn about these old rifles. A bunch of the guys here will give you free excellent advice. Many folks buy what you have and then take it to the range and then accidents happen. And those accidents can become fatal. Fix that rifle up with an original stock and hardware and then make it a wall hanger.

[pro-nra]

^X2 of what he said.

Chances are in your favor that it will not blow up in your face but is your face, vision etc worth taking that chance shooting a LN 1903? Not in my opinion.