m 1903 springfield?

tiriaq said:
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.
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I say wall hanger because of it's low number I think in or around 3X mark, other than a cursory look over (didn't inspect bore or over all bolt trigger operation) the rifle was not in the best of shape. If I recall correctly it was missing it's forward sling swivel and screw but had the correct milled stock band. Also had it's stacking swivel.

All in all $2250 is a bizarre price without provenance to attest to absolute originality, even by American price standards.

I wouldn't let my wife buy a $2250 floor lamp and figured I hadn't better either.
 
marks 36 hamon said:
I thought most U.S. guys carried the M17 even Alvin York most pics i see of Yanks in the trenches they are carrying M17s with very few 1903's
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There is some debate over that. Yorks' son said his father told him that two 03's had been "liberated" from another unit and that he used one in his Medal of Honor action, though the rest of the unit was armed with M1917's. I doubt if that will ever be resolved.

Wnen the troops arrived and were ordered to turn on their 03's for M1917's one soldier objected loudly, in fact so much that his officer personaly investigated. The 03 the soldier wanted to hang on to was SERIAL NUMBER 1!!! Needless to say the rifle was promptly packed up and sent back to Springfield Arsenal!;) It had been upgraded to the then current standard and by some fluke, wound up being issued.
 
John Sukey said:
There is some debate over that. Yorks' son said his father told him that two 03's had been "liberated" from another unit and that he used one in his Medal of Honor action, though the rest of the unit was armed with M1917's. I doubt if that will ever be resolved.

Wnen the troops arrived and were ordered to turn on their 03's for M1917's one soldier objected loudly, in fact so much that his officer personaly investigated. The 03 the soldier wanted to hang on to was SERIAL NUMBER 1!!! Needless to say the rifle was promptly packed up and sent back to Springfield Arsenal!;) It had been upgraded to the then current standard and by some fluke, wound up being issued.
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Rock Island's Serial No 1 remained unmodified in 30-03, M1903 rear sight and equipped with the rod bayonet. Now resides at the RIA museum if memory serves.
 
If you were a soldier would you think it was a good idea to advance in line firing your pederson device each time your left foot hit the ground? At least that was the idea. :rolleyes:
 
I had seen a few bubba 1903s turned into hunting rifles, but no untouched milsurps. It took me about 3 years to find a decent 1903.
Mine is a Springfield 1903 with the scant stock that had been rebarrelled in 1942.
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I have a great 1903 Remington from 1942 and its a great rifle. It has that scant stock as well, which I just despise and would rather put a good 'normal' stock on. Other than the stock, I just love the 1903, great rifle.
 
Here are a few photo's of my Remington 1903A3 that I purchaced about a year and a half ago thru our CMP program. A3's are all gone now but they still have a number of high SR# 1903's left for sale at $400. Built in '43 with an original barrel, muzzle gages about 1.5, all Remington parts except for a RIA butt plate and a SC front sling swivel. Even though it has been thru part of WWII and to Greece and back it's in very good condition and a great shooter! In fact I used it in The Nationals at Camp Perry, Port Clinton Ohio, this past week.

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Last Friday there were almost 900 shooters competing in the Springfield/Vintage rifle match. The only malfunction that I experienced was between my ears!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v57/rifleguy/1903A3/?start=0

rifle guy
 
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03 & 03 A3 Springfields

I love Springfields, I have about 10 or 12 in my collection. I am looking for a rear sight assembly for two 03's. I am restoring an early model and am going to sell a tapped receiver. There is something about a Springfield with the big broad bayonets that reminds me of WW1 soldiers going over the top.
 
1903 Springfield Value?

Guys, I have a 1903 made by Springfield Armory, 8572xx, that has the original barrel marked May 1918. That would put it in the double heat treated period. It has the original full wood stock. It looks sort of like mauserman's, but with a straight grip stock. Its in pretty good shape, but there is a piece of wood about 1/2" long and 3/4" tall just back of the magazine cutoff that has been replaced. It still has some of the grease that it was covered with when I bought it at auction about 20 years ago. I'm going to get some pictures and put it on the EE for trade when I get time. I'm not into military collecting, more the older sxs shotguns. My only gun values book that lists military guns has a price of $1300 U.S. in good condition, but I know it won't bring that kind of money in Canada. I also don't know enough about them to assign a condition to it. Its not a fair question without pictures, but what approximate value range should I expect for this gun? Thank you.
 
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I found my 03 on Vancouver Island in very good to excellent dated 1929 Springfield Armory and has not been changed to the A1 (older stock configuration. It took about a year to find a bayonet in good condition under $200.00 but it sure is a nice rifle.I havnt seen another one since.Picture coming soon.It has a sling but I am not sure if it is correct.It is a leather 2 piece sling and has a picture Worn as it is looks like a small duck on the inside of the leather could be something else though.Can any one advise me on the correct sling.Graham
 
We'll advise on the correct sling *after* we see your pics. :p

Just kidding, I am sure someone will know best. I use a 1907 sling with brass attachments, even though mine should be parked because of its WWII vintage. Ah well, it looks good.
 
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