Got a 'nother '03

[highpower]

I spotted this 1903 Springfield just as I was about to leave the gunshow I was at today. Serial number 1461633 puts it as having been made in 1934. The barrel is dated 7-34, with strong grooves and it is a shiny as a new dime. I believe it to be original to the rifle as the barrel date lines up with the manufacture date of the receiver.

As near as I can tell all the parts are it are correct for it's age and the wear matches throughout. I tried to walk away, but in the end it just called to me. I seem to have a bit of an addiction to them as this make the seventh one in the hoard. The seller was easy to deal with and I got it for $625. Of course since this is Nevada, I paid for it and took it home with me.





The handguard is from a National Match rifle. I am going to email SRS and see if there is any documented history on this one.

[mosinnagantm9130]

Good price on that one.

[Flyin Brian]

That's a hell of a deal. They were not making many during the 30's, so they are pretty low production numbers. I have one from 1934 and always liked it, supposed to be strong due to the nickel steel

[Bhauer]

Really nice!!! Love 03's. It would be interesting to know if you find any history on this one.

[Enfield47]

You got a great deal on it, congrats. Can you tell if the pre-war finishing and fit of the rifle is much better than the WWI or WWII models? I don't think I have seen a model that was produced between wars, so I'm just curious about them.

Does the barrel have the star stamped into the crown? Hope you're able to get some info on the rifle.

[mls343]

That's a nice one, Highpower. Congrats!

[SanPedroShooter]

Wow that is a deal.

Can I have your old one?

[bsg]

congrats.

[81turbota]

You got a great deal, Highpower. It's a really beautiful and rare example! Hope it serves you well.

[beerman]

Nice, very nice..Great find HP.

[BrokerB]

Of course you were able to take it home sameday, then send your money to register it )

I had a problem of not passing up any ishapore 2a1 s for awhile. Not as good quality as those 03s though

[Flyin Brian]

Of course you were able to take it home sameday, then send your money to register it )

I had a problem of not passing up any ishapore 2a1 s for awhile. Not as good quality as those 03s though

He lives in America (Nevada), so no reason to do paperwork.

[highpower]

You got a great deal on it, congrats. Can you tell if the pre-war finishing and fit of the rifle is much better than the WWI or WWII models? I don't think I have seen a model that was produced between wars, so I'm just curious about them.

Does the barrel have the star stamped into the crown? Hope you're able to get some info on the rifle.

Honestly, it is pretty hard to tell much about the finish. This rifle was carried a lot and there is virtually no finish left on the floor plate and the receiver has very thin finish remaining. I think that in it's current state it compares to my 1918 '03 but I don't think it is any better. What is nice about it is that it still has the original barrel. Most of these have been replaced over the years and to have a 80+ year old military rifle that is still largely as issued is pretty neat.

The National Match rifles are another thing altogether as special care was taken when they were built. Speaking of NM rifles, there is no star on the muzzle and no star gauge number stamped under the barrel, so this one is more than likely one of the 49,720 standard issue rifles made that year.

The rear sight is like no other that I have, as it has what looks like a silver or platinum line on the sight slide. I think that this one may have been a civilian sales rifle and used as a target gun. That would explain the fact that the barrel still has such a nice bore.




The slide on a standard '03. This is on my '06 dated rifle.


It does fit into a niche in my collection as I now have 1903 rifles that were made in 1906, 1918, 1934 and 1942. I know, I am missing a few decades here and there, but I am always on the hunt for more, so perhaps I will be able to fill in the blanks.

[mj1]

You can't have to many 03's....

[emcon5]

Nice find.

This was at the Reno Crossroads show? I quit going to those, between parking and the entry fee, you were ~$20 in the hole before you walked in the door.