Longbranch and springfield 03 pic heavy

[joe n]

Would like to show some pics of a couple rifles aquired in a trade. Really don't know too much about either, as I am more of a k98 guy.

Anyway, the first is a nice 1943 Longbranch with 5 groove barrel, I believe this to be in original configuration. Bolt matches. I learned from a couple members on the forum that one of the markings indicate it was released from military use.

The next one is a Springfield 1903 with a 42 dated barrel. I don't know squat about these. But I think the receiver serial makes it around 1918.

Any information anyone can provide I would appreciate, especially regarding the 03. Thanks for looking

 

[purple]

The M1903 is a 1918 vintage high number receiver with a 1942 replacement Springfield Armory barrel. Depending on condition of the bore, stock bedding, and tightness of sights they can be very fine shooters using the aperture in the rear sight.

The metal has a pretty heavy wear/use patina and the triggerguard/floorplate and upper band show quite a bit of pitting. You might want to replace these parts and consider re-parkerizing the rifle if warranted by bore condition and lack of pitting elsewhere. Quite a lot of the M1903 barrels in circulation show wear and pitting from corrosive primed ammo. Replacement M1903 barrels are a bear to find. New model 03-A3 barrels are more available and will fit a M1903. They are a PITA to fit because the barrel has to be turned down a bit over the chamber to install the rear sight sleeve. The rear sight sleeves are quite fragile and can be boogered up quite easily when driving them off/on. The front sight looks like it may be loose in the barrel stud. There is a small screw that goes in the front of the barrel stud to secure the front sight.

If you remove the rifle from the stock to check the bedding here are a few things to look at.

- the metal bushing/sleeve should be present in the rear guard screw hole
- the rear face of recoil lug should bear fully on the lug recess in the stock
- there should be a bit of clearance between the rear tang of the action and the recess for it in the stock. If there is hard contact here the stock will split.
-there should be about 5-7 lbs pressure required to lift the barrel out of contact at the forend of the stock. The barrel should not make contact with the stock at any other point along the barrel channel
- the top of the barrel must not be in contact with the metal of the upper band

The bolt is a post-1918 swept handle variety. If you report the markings on it the maker and mfr date can be established. The stock lacks grasping grooves and may well be either an 03-A3 or early Remington stock. Markings on the stock can help ID it. The sling is the Kerr NOBUKL type which is often found on the M1917 Enfield and Thompson SMG and, to a lesser extent, on the M1903.

 

[ArtyMan]

Very nice Joe! That 1903 is quite the find!

 

[joe n]

Purple, thank you very much for this information! You are a wealth of knowledge and I am greatful for your expertise and your willingness to share it.

 

[purple]

There was one lot of M1903s imported in the late 80s/early90s, from Taiwan I believe, that were beat to perdition-sewer pipe barrels, cracked up wood, and pitted/rusted metal. I bought 4 Remingtons as cheap parts sources with the following results;
-all barrels and stocks toast (heavy oil made them great fire-starters)
-one receiver cracked
-one receiver pitted beyond use
-one receiver pitted below the stock line, but still sound. Re-barrelled this one with a new 03A3 barrel and made up a nice sporter
-one sound, un-pitted receiver which I re-parked and re-barreled
-did salvage quite a few usable parts, most of which needed a re-park

Minty M1903s are tough to find and it pays to look them over carefully before buying, especially the barrels.