Was my M1903 used in WW2?

[crazy_frank]

ask him.....

Wish i could / did. He died in 98 of cancer. I have been told that he never talked about it. Definitely a bummer, but I understand.

[crazy_frank]

The year of manufacture for serial number 1136300 is 1919.

All rifles recalled and rechambered for .30 caliber in 1906.

Improved heat treatment started at 800,000.

Introduction of nickel steel started at 1275767.

Model 1903A1 rifles were made after 1929 with a full pistol grip type C stock, but were otherwise the same as earlier Model 1903 Rifles and marked Model 1903.

About 25,000 National Match rifles were scattered throughout production from about 1920 to 1940, and many can be documented by serial number to their original purchaser by payment of a fee to Springfield Research Service, Silver Spring M

Thank you for the history, that helps out. So for my restoration purposes, what direction should I go in finding parts that are correct for this rifle? i.e. Is this a M1903A1, A3, A4? Is there any way to tell from the configuration / proofs what military configuration is correct for this rifle?

[crazy_frank]

many can be documented by serial number to their original purchaser by payment of a fee to Springfield Research Service, Silver Spring M

I may pursue this route, and see what comes up. Question: would the serial number be in the springfield records if it was purchased through a catalog, as mentioned earlier in the thread?

[19K]

its missing the extractor as well.

[aghauler]

If you are going parts hunting here are a few links to get you started:

http://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=67

http://www.northridgeinc.com/alias.cfm/springfield_1903_A3_parts/

http://www.fulton-armory.com/M1903A3-Springfield.aspx

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/springfield.aspx

http://www.xxl-sale.com/search/?q=1903%20Springfield%20Parts&campid=5337390147&gclid=COiClIWisb8CFYxzMgodZj4AGQ

[Jeff L]

It's interesting that your rifle's serial number comes up in the middle of the Mark 1 production, but your is not a Mark 1. For restoration purposes it's a model 1903.

The SRS only documents transactions through the military or DCM.

[Orlando]

This question comes up very ofetn. Unfortunatly there were no records kept for the info you are looking for.
Only way you would ever find out is if you found anything in your Grandfathers personal belongings.

[Mustang]

This question comes up very ofetn. Unfortunatly there were no records kept for the info you are looking for.
Only way you would ever find out is if you found anything in your Grandfathers personal belongings.

Exactly...many Marines (and possibly soldiers) kept their shooting logs which have the rifle's serial number recorded.

[microwaveguy]

Wish i could / did. He died in 98 of cancer. I have been told that he never talked about it. Definitely a bummer, but I understand.

I have met several vets that always change the subject when asked about "what they did in the war". I have a good friend that flew A4's in vietnam and had three shot out from under him. He will talk about the first two but not the last one.

Back to the OP ........ since your grandfather owned that rifle it is "His rifle" , but it may not be THE rifle that he carried. It doesn't look like it has been boogered up too bad by Bubba so nothing that a couple of parts and a refinish won't fix. Oh and $$$$$

[Jeff L]

SRS list. See if it's in there somewhere.

1136300 100340ft shafter th to ba (uns)
1136301 122948disposal record
1136303 011851disposal record
1136307 092950disposal record
1136311 010549disposal record
1136313 082333justice dept
1136321 disposal record
1136322 061449disposal record
1136323 121548disposal record
1136326 101027dcm rifle sales
1136326 101027dcm rifle sales 1922-42
1136329 101523dcm rifle sales
1136329 101523dcm rifle sales 1922-42
1136339 120828dcm rifle sales
1136339 120828disposal record
1136339 103050dcm rifle sales 1922-42
1136346 092250disposal record
1136350 030750disposal record
1136351 061450disposal record
1136356 081048disposal record
1136358 051127ft benj harrison
1136361 051236al harlan ia (unaccounted)
1136361 051236disposal record
1136361 111449disposal record
1136362 051535us pen atlanta
1136362 061550disposal record
1136366 3042138ft crook to ria
1136368 101248disposal record
1136378 071350disposal record
1136379 051953disposal record
1136383 032350disposal record
1136384 082333justice dept
1136385 121549disposal record
1136394 122250disposal record
1136395 092652disposal record
1136397 111457disposal record

[crazy_frank]

SRS list. See if it's in there somewhere.

1136300 100340ft shafter th to ba (uns)
1136301 122948disposal record
1136303 011851disposal record
1136307 092950disposal record
1136311 010549disposal record
1136313 082333justice dept
1136321 disposal record
1136322 061449disposal record
1136323 121548disposal record
1136326 101027dcm rifle sales
1136326 101027dcm rifle sales 1922-42
1136329 101523dcm rifle sales
1136329 101523dcm rifle sales 1922-42
1136339 120828dcm rifle sales
1136339 120828disposal record
1136339 103050dcm rifle sales 1922-42
1136346 092250disposal record
1136350 030750disposal record
1136351 061450disposal record
1136356 081048disposal record
1136358 051127ft benj harrison
1136361 051236al harlan ia (unaccounted)
1136361 051236disposal record
1136361 111449disposal record
1136362 051535us pen atlanta
1136362 061550disposal record
1136366 3042138ft crook to ria
1136368 101248disposal record
1136378 071350disposal record
1136379 051953disposal record
1136383 032350disposal record
1136384 082333justice dept
1136385 121549disposal record
1136394 122250disposal record
1136395 092652disposal record
1136397 111457disposal record

No, not in that bunch. Are those everything from the springfield list? Thanks for getting that by the way!

[Jeff L]

As far as I know it's everything in that serial number range. No problem. I suspect that the disposal record means it was sold off as surplus.

[crazy_frank]

As far as I know it's everything in that serial number range. No problem. I suspect that the disposal record means it was sold off as surplus.

So since my rifles serial number is not listed under the "disposal record", do we assume it was military?

[Discogodfather]

There is nothing in your relatives story that can't be true, it could all be completely legit. Verifying it might be close to impossible, but doing more research is always a fun thing. Restoring it could also be a very worthwhile en devour, remember it doesn't have to have some kind of huge monetary value if it means something to you.

Those records and disposal records are very incomplete and don't mean much either way. Many rifles where refurbed 5 times over and the paperwork was spotty.

[crazy_frank]

There is nothing in your relatives story that can't be true, it could all be completely legit. Verifying it might be close to impossible, but doing more research is always a fun thing. Restoring it could also be a very worthwhile en devour, remember it doesn't have to have some kind of huge monetary value if it means something to you.

Those records and disposal records are very incomplete and don't mean much either way. Many rifles where refurbed 5 times over and the paperwork was spotty.

Yeah I know it will always mean more to me anyways. Just thought I would see I it was possible to track it down somehow, now I see that probably won't pan out. I am definately going to restore it, I know it will take a lot of money to do, but I'm sure I'll be happy with it. and it'll be one more thing I can pass down with the war story.

When you say they were refurbed 5 times over, does that mean I could pretty much put whatever stock on it (let's just say a style "C" for example, with remington, ordnance wheel, and FJA cartouches) and it could still be historically correct? Or would that be all wrong. I would like to keep it pretty historically accurate.