1903 MK1 conversions.

[Mustang]

Is anyone familiar with the process that 1903 MK1's went through to be converted back to 1903 configuration (to the extent they could be)?

I've got a MK1 that has none of the original MK1 accoutrements. I'm wondering what the process for this was. Were the MK1's simply left as is until they required re-arsenalling or were they all sent through the arsenal together to be converted?


Mine has been through Raritan (or at least the stock was) and has an "SA over JFC" cartouche that I can not find any information on.

[Milsurp Collector]

The receiver, stock, sear, and magazine cutoff were different http://www.odcmp.co/services/rifles/...eak_pistol.htm

The Mark I was designed to function as a regular M1903 when the Pedersen device was removed, so none of the Mark I modifications had to be removed. The Mark I's were treated like any other M1903's, including when they were rebuilt from parts.

I got mine at a pawn shop. It was rebuilt with a non-Mark 1 stock that was used before or after the rebuild by the USMC. Or at least the buttplate was used by the Marines.





It came with a M1907 sling and a cleaning kit in the stock.

[Mustang]

Ok, so you are saying there was never any "conversion" program...they were just treated like any other 1903 and when they went through an arsenal rebuild they received whatever parts that were on hand...MK1 or not MK1?

[Mustang]

I can't recall where I heard this, but I read or heard somewhere that many of the MK1's may have been turned over to National Guard or Reserve units and not fired much.

Mine appears to have its original barrel and it is in excellent condition. If the story I heard is true, it might account for the bore condition.

[Geologyjohn]

Mustang, to answer a question at the end of your first post, the SA/JFC cartouche on your rifle was placed by Springfield Armory employee J.F. Coyle. His inspection cartouche can be found on 1903's dating from 1906 to 1918. Since Mk 1's were produced from the Spring of 1918 to around May of 1920, that would indicate that if that stock is original to your rifle, then your Mk 1 is an early (1918) Mk 1. Thanks for posting your photos and getting this discussion going. Take care, Geologyjohn

[Milsurp Collector]

Ok, so you are saying there was never any "conversion" program...they were just treated like any other 1903 and when they went through an arsenal rebuild they received whatever parts that were on hand...MK1 or not MK1?

According to the article I linked to http://www.odcmp.co/services/rifles/...eak_pistol.htm

The Mark I Rifles remained in storage until 1937-1938 when they were restored to the standard M1903 configuration by replacing the tripper sear and Magazine Cut Off with the standard versions and reinstalling their standard bolts. Thus the Mark I was returned to service.

so perhaps they were treated separately. I would have to check my reference books at home.

[Jeff L]

I believe the Mk1 sear is different to accommodate the Pederson device.

[Springfield45]

The Mark I 1903s were not converted 1903s. They were purpose built new to the Mark I design. After WWI 99% of the peterson devises were destroyed, most by being burned. Some did survive with burn marks and are highly valued. The Mark I rifles continued to serve until 1945 when they were deemed surplus. During these years of service the Mark I rifles went though many Arsenal and Armorers services. When the original parts became worn or posed a problem they would be replaced with standard 1903 parts that were on hand. Some Mark I rifles can be found with all their original parts but most do not. Some of these parts are available online if one wanted to restore a rifle to what they would had when first issued.

Mark I 1903 receivers were stronger than the earlier low numbered serial numbered receivers that were poorly heat treated. The heat treating problems were fixed just before the MK I went into production. I don't think they pulled any of the Mark I rifles out of service. The Military did not even pull the low numbered 1903 rifles out of service even when they knew there was a problem of the rifles catastrophically blowing up.

Springfield 1903 Mark I rifles are great pieces of history. They were only made from 1918 to the end of the war and are a small number of all the 1903 rifles made. They represent an ingenuitive idea that proved to be better on paper than in actual use.