The one milsurp I have not seen discussed here is the American m1903 Springfield. Are they hard to come by? I havent found any threads relating to them and was wondering why. I would like to get one to round out my rifles of the world collection but cant seem to find any around. If any one knows why this is, please tell.
m 1903 springfield?
- Thread starter sgt.maj
- Start date
"...hard to come by?..." Kind of, up here. At least in decent condition. The 03's you do see will usually be in terrible condition too.
The '03's have the low and high serial number issue too. Low being Springfield made 800,000 and below. Rock Island made rifles, 285,506 and below. There was a heat treating issue with them. '03A3's don't have this problem.
The '03's have the low and high serial number issue too. Low being Springfield made 800,000 and below. Rock Island made rifles, 285,506 and below. There was a heat treating issue with them. '03A3's don't have this problem.
They are uncommon in Canada. 03/A3's are MUCH more common in Canada, but for some reason, most of ours have been counter-bored. Probably came from someplace third-hand where they were sent as military aid post-war.
Of the few 1903's I have seen here in Canada, a disproportionately high number were Mk1's modified for the Pedersen device, and almost all of them had pitted bores and lots of rust below the woodline and on the bands. Again, I suspect service in some armpit of the world prior to importation.
The best ones stayed stateside or went to Greece, now recently returned to the US and being sold through the CMP. Americans are AWASH in these rifles, but as stated, they remain uncommon enough in Canada that there isn't a huge collector following, much like Lebels, Berthiers, Arisakas, Mannlichers and other cool milsurps that never came here in great numbers.
Of the few 1903's I have seen here in Canada, a disproportionately high number were Mk1's modified for the Pedersen device, and almost all of them had pitted bores and lots of rust below the woodline and on the bands. Again, I suspect service in some armpit of the world prior to importation.
The best ones stayed stateside or went to Greece, now recently returned to the US and being sold through the CMP. Americans are AWASH in these rifles, but as stated, they remain uncommon enough in Canada that there isn't a huge collector following, much like Lebels, Berthiers, Arisakas, Mannlichers and other cool milsurps that never came here in great numbers.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
Don't take this the wrong way, but that's a nice Johnson!
Springfield 1903 & A3's
I like the 03's they are really great to collect. I have about 10 different ones in my collection and I just got one Monday with a 300,000 serial number that I would like to restore. I am looking for a rear sight and a butt plate, I have a complete stock set and a spare action for another one. I have had about 4 Johnsons over the years, but sold them when I couldn't refuse the offers made for them. The only Kraig I have left is an original 1899 30-40 Carbine. I kept the bayonets for them and finally got a parade (chromed) 1903 bayonet.
I like the 03's they are really great to collect. I have about 10 different ones in my collection and I just got one Monday with a 300,000 serial number that I would like to restore. I am looking for a rear sight and a butt plate, I have a complete stock set and a spare action for another one. I have had about 4 Johnsons over the years, but sold them when I couldn't refuse the offers made for them. The only Kraig I have left is an original 1899 30-40 Carbine. I kept the bayonets for them and finally got a parade (chromed) 1903 bayonet.
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- Location
- Manitoulin Island
Isn't there an issue with a 2 piece firing pin on some Sprigfields that can blow back if a case ruptures? Also, regarding rifles returned from Greece, how can this circumvent the "no military rifles exported from U.S. can return law"?
bushwhacker said:
They were never exported. They were loaned to the Greeks as NATO aid. Greece returned them a few years ago, and the CMP then was tasked with distributing them to affiliated shooting orgs and persons. Down there the gov't supports the concept of a nation of riflemen - after all, they have the ability to enforce the draft so best to keep the shooters in practice
- Location
- Tucson, Arizona
while the two piece firing pin was an unncessary complication, (as well as the mag cutoff,) I haven't heard of any blow-ups.
As far as Low number Springfields being dangerous, the U.S. fought WORLD WAR ONE with low number Springfields.
Problem is That there are LOTS of collectors of U.S. rifles, only a finite number exsist, and the price has shot up accordingly.
I can remember buying an 03 for $40. Add another zero to that price today and then some.
As far as Low number Springfields being dangerous, the U.S. fought WORLD WAR ONE with low number Springfields.
Problem is That there are LOTS of collectors of U.S. rifles, only a finite number exsist, and the price has shot up accordingly.
I can remember buying an 03 for $40. Add another zero to that price today and then some.
I like my M1903 No Pederson cut as I prefer.
Purchased from a board member. When I got it, the first thing I did was look down the bore, and I was shocked! Looked like the worst sewer pipe I had ever seen. No visible rifling from the chamber forward about 4", then what looked like rough, dark and pitted from there on. A few passes with a bore brush and some swabs revealed a VG bore (and relief). I had never seen a bore so dirty (and I've seen a couple of hundred at least), and certainly never had one shipped so dirty.
Lesson to me - don't make any judgements on a bore until you've given it an earnest cleaning.
No Pederson cut as I prefer.
Purchased from a board member. When I got it, the first thing I did was look down the bore, and I was shocked! Looked like the worst sewer pipe I had ever seen. No visible rifling from the chamber forward about 4", then what looked like rough, dark and pitted from there on. A few passes with a bore brush and some swabs revealed a VG bore (and relief). I had never seen a bore so dirty (and I've seen a couple of hundred at least), and certainly never had one shipped so dirty.
Lesson to me - don't make any judgements on a bore until you've given it an earnest cleaning.
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Seen two for sale at the Orangeville show last week. One was a MkI (Petersen cut-out) and the other was a low number '03 (wall hanger). Trouble was the price tags MkI - $1250 and the low number - $2250, seems to me alot of people running tables at these gun show anymore are either completely out-to-lunch or they really don't want to part with anything.
Certainly very few "deals" can be found.
Certainly very few "deals" can be found.
Was the low number a wall hanger because of condition, or because it is a low number? The prices of these rifles in the US has been climbing rapidly. A WWI or earlier '03, all original, in nice condition, is a rare rifle, and will command a serious price.
gunasauras
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I just bought an 03A3 in Excellent condition.....waiting for it to arrive anytime now....here's pics...
